7 Local Food Sources in Vancouver

Eating local is where it's at these days, especially when what you call 'local' is the great province of British Columbia. Here are seven places in Vancouver where you can buy an assortment of groceries while still knowing where they came from.

Serious Soups is a Surrey company selling healthy soups that are big on the yum factor and easy on the wallet. Made with fresh ingredients and no MSG, and with over 28 soups and sauces to choose from, we know you'll find a few that will tickle your tummy. You'll find a selection of these beauties on sale at Meinhardt and Meridian Markets, so check them out.And the piece de resistance is they offer free delivery on Thursdays and Fridays if your order meets minimum requirements. They also offer a hot lunch program.

Hidden Garden Foods, based in Horseshoe Bay, has a line of yummy snacks, including Red Velvet Bites, Ginger Snaps and Chocolate Chip Cookies, that are preservative, nut and gluten-free and contain no artificial flavours or colours. Best of all, they contain a half-serving of root vegetables like beets, squash and pumpkin. We guarantee no one will know the secret 'good for you' ingredients because these little fresh, chewy treats taste as though they were homemade. But they're not—you can find them at Save-on-Foods or PriceSmart.

For a little European flavour, head to Bosa Foods on Kootenay Street. The prices are very reasonable, and you will find everything you need for your Italian-inspired menu, including two aisles dedicated to pastas and risottos, and an amazing deli full of salads, prosciuttos and cheeses. While there, pick up panettone for dessert, Italian dishware for a hostess gift, and, of course, a latte for yourself.

What happens when a local farmers' market meets an abundance of sweet treats and yummy baked goods? Vancouver's haven for a sweet tooth fix, Baker's Market. Here you'll find talented budding, professional or home bakers selling everything from fresh artisanal breads and soft German pretzels, to butter croissants, chocolate croissants, Belgian Liege waffles and allergy friendly baked goods.

The shop showcases 900 products that are mostly from BC, and to name-drop just a few, there are Thomas Haas chocolates and Burgoo and Vij's entrees. You'll also find new taste sensations like Birch Syrup from the Cariboo and Sea to Sky Seasonings. The adjacent bistro's kitchen is also chock-full of local goodness in a modern atmosphere.

Butter Baked Goods has become well known in their local ‘hood for their yummy cupcakes and Dunbar bars, and they've become a bit of a household name across the Lower Mainland since several grocery stores carry Butter's homemade, melt-in-your-mouth marshmallows. So boogie on over to Butter—we bet you'll think it's better.

This local, organic artisan bakery based in Langley has been making unique, tasty wholesome loaves and buns since 2006. Made with mainly local ingredients and absolutely no preservatives, A Bread Affair is the only certified organic artisan bakery in British Columbia. The cheeky product names are true to the brand and make buying bread more fun. 'Love at First Bite' is one of our savvy faves, with organic sprouted wheat from Agassiz, hazelnuts from Abbotsford and local blueberries, too.