Cowichan’s food leaders growing local farms, resilience, and food security.
If you’re new to the Cowichan local food scene (or even if you’ve been in it for years), it’s easy to get a little tangled up in all the amazing organizations doing incredible things with farms, food, and community. You might find yourself wondering:
“Is this the one that delivers produce?”
“Aren’t they the group with the big fair and goats?”
“Wait, I thought that was a grocery co-op?”
Let’s address this — and celebrate the uniqueness of three Cowichan gems: Cow-Op, Cowichan Green Community, and the Cowichan Agricultural Society & Farmers Institute. They’re each doing their own thing, and together they’re growing something beautiful.
Cow-Op: Your Online Farmers Market, Food Security and More
Cow-Op is the region’s online farmers market, giving you access to dozens of local farmers, fishers, food makers, and artisans with one weekly online shop. Order fresh produce, cheese, bread, pantry goods, and even flowers — then pick it up or get it delivered. It’s like a farmers market, minus the parking stress.
- What they do best: Weekly local food ordering online
- Community vibe: Supporting producers, increasing access, and building a resilient food economy
- Fun fact: They also support wholesale buyers like restaurants and institutions who want to source local
Cowichan Green Community (CGC): Growing Education, Food Security & Connection
Don’t let the name confuse you — Cowichan Green Community is not a store, but rather a powerhouse of food security programs, community gardens, and educational projects that touch lives throughout the Valley.
They’re the visionaries behind food forests, school gardens, workshops, youth employment programs, the reFRESH Cowichan Food Recovery Project, and Cowichan Farm and Food Hub.
- What they do best: Teaching people how to grow, cook, preserve, and access good food
- Community vibe: Rooted in education, environmental action, and making food accessible to all
- Fun fact: Their office on Duncan Street will be moving to their new location on 2431 Beverly St still in Duncan, which is home to a thrift shop, seed library, and vertical farm
Cowichan Agricultural Society & Farmers Institute (CAS): Advocating for Agriculture Since 1885
This is the OG (Original) of local agricultural organizations. Founded in 1885, the Cowichan Agricultural Society & Farmers Institute exists to support farmers, ranchers, and agricultural life in the Cowichan region.
You might know them best from the Cowichan Exhibition, but they also host educational events, community agricultural meetings, and support for rural life and farming practices.
- What they do best: Agriculture advocacy, events, and preserving farm culture
- Community vibe: Deeply rooted in history and essential to Cowichan’s farming identity
- Fun fact: They’ve been around longer than cars — and they’re still driving agricultural awareness forward
In a Nutshell: Who’s Who?
| Organization | Focus | What You Can Do |
| Cow-Op | Online local food marketplace food security, partnerships | Shop weekly online, become a producer, customer or supporter |
| Cowichan Green Community | Education, food security, urban agriculture | Attend workshops, volunteer, donate, grow with them |
| Cowichan Agricultural Society & Farmers Institute | Agricultural advocacy, heritage, youth, & public engagement through events | Attend the Cowichan Exhibition, support 4-H and agriculture education, join as a member, support rural life |
Why It All Matters
The Cowichan Valley is a leader in local food innovation and food security, thanks to organizations like these. Whether you’re buying kale, planting seeds, or attending the fall fair — you’re part of something powerful.
Together, these three groups are making the Cowichan Valley more sustainable, more resilient, and a whole lot tastier!
By: Shauna Collister