How it all Began

Edible Island Whole Foods Market, or Edible as the locals call us, started off in the 70’s with a group of free-thinking people who got together in their cabins, converted barns, buses and half-finished home-made houses and decided they wanted to buy big amounts of organic food and split it up between them. This was an act of rebellion against the take-over of ‘big food’ in those days.

Grocery store shelves were filled with processed, packaged foods and health foods stores sold small amounts, if anything. These Comox Valley folks wanted to find a way around it. Edible represents a true community force. The power of people when they come together with their values front and centre.

We are currently located at the top end of Downtown Courtenay at 477 - 6th Street.

History

Edible Island has a long legacy in the Comox Valley

This is our history. As best we can remember it – those were some crazy days back then!

Late 70's

No organics available locally. Group orders kick things off - mostly bringing in organic produce from the Okanagan.

1980

After operating as a Co-op, Edible becomes an ‘official’ store operating in Merville.

1981

Sue Tupper joins the Co-op.

1988

Sue Clarke joins the Co-op.

1989

Jackie Sommerville joins the Co-op.

1989

Move to Downtown Courtenay from Merville; top of 4th beside laundromat.

1992

Another big move to larger location – where Gladstones is now.

1992

Bar None opens in same location – run by Brianna Clark and then by Brian McCormick.

1994

Sue, Sue and Jackie take full ownership.

2000

Move to current location at the top of 6th.

2015

‘The 3 Girls’ sold to ‘The 3 Boys’ (3 local guys) – one of which is Steve.

2020

COVID hits and Edible runs a free volunteer grocery delivery service ‘Karma Drops’.

2021

Steve wins a Business Leadership Award.

2022

Finally purchase the building on 6th St!

2022

New fresh logo and mural... AND there is more re-design to come!

A final note on dates... it’s now 2023, and when talking to previous owners, they didn’t always remember the exact dates of these events. So if you were there, and remember differently, we’d love to hear from you!

Edible Island is #theheartoflocal

Watch our video ‘This is Edible Island’ to learn more about our 40 year + history in the valley.

A Blast from the Past

We respectfully acknowledge that we are living and working in the unceded traditional territory of the K’omoks First Nation, the traditional keepers of this land.