The community that makes up the Cowichan Valley Co-operative Marketplace
The Cow-Op is made up of local farmers, food processors and community partners. This non-profit farmer and food processor co-operative brings together members and consumers through an online marketplace of locally grown and harvested food, featuring a variety of produce, meats, eggs, fruit, baking and more all grown or produced throughout the Cowichan Region.
Meet Caroline Fric, a farmer braving the pandemic
Growing food is an act of love. That’s what we notice when we hear Caroline Fric describe her work. Caroline is the co-owner of Golden Greens Farm, a two-acre land in the Cowichan Valley. Growing food has taught me absolutely everything, all of my weaknesses and my...
The value of volunteers in times of crisis
A regular week for the farmers of Cowichan Valley Co-operative Marketplace would see an average of 30 orders placed through their system. When COVID-19 hit British Columbia and the restrictions were put in place affecting farmer’s markets and restaurants, the CVCM...
Recyclists support Cowichan farmers
Even before being a co-owner of the Cowichan Recyclists — a bike-based recycling pickup company in the Cowichan Valley, British Columbia — Erin Ward (photo) was their fan. The Recyclists help Cowichan ride the road to zero waste. Erin and her partner Patrick Devlin...
The Cow-Op hustles to meet booming demand for farmers market grocery delivery
More Canadians are looking to buy groceries online during the coronavirus pandemic, and farmer’s market co-operatives are having to respond quickly to feed their communities and pay local farmers. Support the Cow-Op to provide an essential service on Vancouver Island.
Women’s Day: building skills brings financial independence
International Women’s Day embraces the idea that equality is not a women’s issue, but a business issue because gender equality is essential for economies and communities to thrive. Community Evolution Foundation believes in the power of communities to create positive...
Women’s Day: mutual support helps fight for equality
Women inspire all of us 365 days a year, but we still need a date to celebrate our existence (and, for some of us, our survival). Despite the significant changes in how we think about women’s equality, we have a long way to go. That’s why International Women’s Day...
Community work and Latin American culture inspire co-op student
After Juanita Mora, it’s Nolan Kim’s turn. In the next few days, he embarks on a three-month adventure in Ecuador. An undergrad student at Simon Fraser University, Kim is about to start his co-op term with Community Evolution Foundation (CEF) through the Queen...