In January 1992, ten local farmers met under the guidance of the District Agriculturist, Gary Rolston, to form a local farmers’ market. The first President of the Association was Dick McGinnis; Gail Beaucage was the Treasurer, and Dave Bernard was the Secretary. By opening day on May 2, 1992, twelve producers were ready to sell their wares.

Baked goods, preserves, and seafood were soon introduced to accommodate our customers and to give more diversity to the market. All products must be grown or produced in the Regional District of Comox Strathcona. By the end of that first year, thirty vendors had sold at the market. Some of the original farmers who still sell at the market today, are Arden Farm, Kirby Road Farm, Ryegate Farm, and On-line Farms.

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The following pictures were taken early in the 1992 season and feature some of the farmers who still sell at the market.

Space was not a problem in 1992!

Ryegate Farms

Arden Farm

Kirby Road Farm

On-line Farms

At the start of the 1993 season a contest was held to come up with our own logo. The “Market Man” logo was created by Lowell Mackay and is still seen on all our promotional material to this day.

Our first year was run by volunteers, and Gail Beaucage was both our Market Manager and a vendor. It was decided to hire a part-time Market Manager for the 1993 season and that has given the vendors the opportunity to concentrate on their own businesses.

In 1994 our first newsletters were produced and live entertainment became a regular part of the market scene.

In 1997 a second market was started in downtown Courtenay on Wednesday mornings.

In 1998 we had our first special Christmas Market at the Native Sons Hall which has become very popular with the customers and vendors.

In June 2000, the first Comox market was held at Marina Park and continued through the summer of 2001 but was discontinued at the end of that year.

The market season was extended to include an indoor winter market in 2001. The winter market is located at the Native Sons Hall and continues until the last Saturday before Christmas.

The Comox Valley Farmers' Market has become a favourite gathering place where people can relax and listen to the free local entertainment, visit with friends, have a coffee and snack, and buy some wholesome, delicious home-grown food.