We couldn't get enough of this place during our brief time on Saltspring Island. We stayed at the…read morehotel directly across from Thrifty Foods, and though most things were closed for the holidays- Thrifty was an open shining healthy beacon. I stocked up on organic trail mixes, kombucha, blueberries, stevia, matcha, and much more during my excited visits here. This place has everything that you could dream of - when it comes to health related goods and products. Their staff are laid back and they let you peruse everything without bothering you - so definitely feel free to take your time in here. I'm a firm believer that a quality grocery store can truly help shape the culture of a small town. Saltspring is blessed to have such a phenomenal resource like Thrifty Foods. Though there are plenty of lovely local farms on this magical island - it's nice to have a haven where you stock up on produce, essential oils, and other bulk items. Trust.

When I imagine the lady or gentleman who dictates the prices of groceries at this SSI stop, I…read morepicture an evil genius in a dark and shadowed room cackling "THE POWER!". ... there are only a few spots to snag groceries on the island and mmmaaannn can you tell. If you're spending a few nights or over from the mainland - expect sticker shock to hit you like a freight train. And our American friends? Bring someone with you to speak soothingly while you shop... It's expensive. Ridiculously expensive. But beyond that, it's your pretty standard grocery store. The pros: 1. To balance the exorbitant grocery costs, they have some seriously stunning deals on produce. $1 for a quart of strawberries?! 0.98/lb for oranges?! Hot damn. The money you save will buy your $2.99 SINGLE AVOCADO. 2. They have really good, fresh baked gluten free bread. 3. They carry Krema Honeylicious. Bonus points every time. And goat's milk yogurt which can be tricky to track. 4. Everyone who works there is SUPER cheerful. Actually most people on SSI are super cheerful. Must be something in the air... It's one of two. So you're just going to have to deal with it. But hey, look at the positives and stuff your gullet with strawberries.

Alex Campbell, the founder of "Thifty Foods". Well, his son owns these markets. Very busy with lots…read moreof fruits, vegetables, dairy, bakery, and meat section with butcher.

It has been awhile since we have stopped here for some veg & other items - the prices are great…read morehowever the produce we selected such as leaf lettuce, peppers, onions etc was a big disappointment due to these items not being really fresh once we cut into them when preparing a salad later that day - most ended up in green organic bin . lettuce was rotten in middle for example. Not happy with having to give just 2 stars but produce really was

A great coffee shop for quick bites before your ferry or just to start your day on the island…read more The place is 10' away from the ferry terminal and open quite early for people with early ferry ride. Their breakfast sandwich is fresh and delicious and they also have a tons of island food goods. They are known for their coffee and they also sells the coffee beans there. They do have sitting both inside and outdoor and if you have a dog, you could sit with your dog in their patio. They also have a small goat farm there that you can go see. The goats are cute and nice. We will definitely come back when visiting the island again.

Holy Moly this place is amazing! Their breakfast sandwiches are top notch. They look like a typical…read moresandwich in the window but let me tell you, the flavors pack a punch! The spinach and whipped feta egg sandwich was mind-blowing. I scarfed it down before I got a photo. Went back a few days later and they had a different selection. Got the egg sandwich with prosciutto, mozzarella, and sun-dried tomato spread and it did not disappoint. Cute little shop to order to-go and friendly service- it's Canada, everyone is friendly eh.

Great food treats and great staff! GF peanut butter cookies…read moreare the best. Chowder soup is amazing and filling. Smoothies are worthy. Lots more I could add but suggest you visit and enjoy!

Not only are the baked goods always very good but the staff is also very friendly and efficient,…read moreso pleasant to be served by people who appear to be enjoying their work.

Awesome grocery store with a wonderful London Fog tea latte mix that I bought just to test because…read moreI was missing my favorite hot beverage. It was phenomenal and I wish I had bought more. Everything else was great--service, atmosphere, friendly vibe. I'll be back when I'm in town.

If you don't like the crowds, don't go here on Super Tuesday! Super Tuesday is 10% off everything!…read moreEVERYTHING! It's great, but busy! We arrived on a Tuesday and forgot about this so we got caught up in the hustle. Best grocery store on the island. It's shopable and their cafe is great! Compared to some of the competitors this is the best. I just miss the bowling alley across the street. Don't sleep on their bakery. If you're not getting the Nanaimo bars you're just losing money! The check out clerks and very friendly...sometimes too friendly...Just the other day I was chatting with my husband and the clerk made an odd comment and in our A and B conversation, he did NOT C his way out it. It was all in good fun though, we do truly love this place, and don't forget to hit the dispensary next door! That place is magical!

This place is a must stop for those who venture to Pender Island! If you want delicious pre-made…read moremeals - dips - soups, a fantastic cheese selection, baked goods, condiments galore, and a multitude of goodies - this is your place! Someone named Amanda (I assume is the owner) makes the most amazing dips! We got them all along with cheeses and meets for an epic charcuterie board. My favourite was the pimento, and French onion dips. My friend loved the artichoke and salsa (note - this was heavily cumin forward). We also got their hummus which is basic (and is named so). My fave cheese was their garlic herb cheese but we didn't go wrong with their variety. I also got all the vegetarian alternatives here! Well priced and stocked! I regret not getting their in-house backed tortilla chips! They offered samples that I tried on my way out! Rookie mistake! Don't miss this place! It's a must when visiting the island!

* My kind of store *…read more Ok, if I lived on Pender Island this is DEFINITELY where I would be doing my grocery shopping. This little store focuses heavily on organic and ethnic foods. The selection was quite impressive. In fact it looked like a mini version of Famous Foods in Vancouver (http://www.yelp.ca/biz/famous-foods-vancouver#hrid:WwIBf4hsEi5WU0nm1P3hJQ), and the prices were not terribly much higher than Famous Foods - which is amazing considering it is a small store on an island with high transportation costs. The prices for items which were also available at the bigger Tru Value (http://www.yelp.ca/biz/tru-value-foods-pender-island#hrid:HIXC7EuR2wBNHJFzCksezA) were actually lower here for things like organic milk, eggs, etc. What a pleasant surprise. There were also Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Polish, German, Italian, and other products making for a very nice selection. I get the impression they will source whatever people request as well if there is something you need. Nice little store!

Loved going over to this cute store. I was always taking the ferry and we would go out of our way…read moreif we had time to always buy from them, when I went they had a little bakery with the best pastry or food ever!

The Vesuvius Store is an adorable coffee shop/bakery/store on the way to the Vesuvius-Crofton ferry…read morefrom Salt Spring Island to Vancouver Island. A word of warning - if you stop in here for a yummy treat, put your car in the ferry line BEFORE you do so. We missed the 3:00 p.m. ferry by 3 cars, but it was worth it for a melt-in-your-mouth raspberry rhubarb tart and a cup of delicious coffee.

The Salt Spring Island Saturday Market is a classic that everyone should visit at least once. There…read morewere many stands, selling everything from pottery and jewelry, to fresh vegetables and artisanal goods. There were also many snack stands selling street food and baked goodies! It does get quite busy, so I would recommend showing up before noon. Do note that the items are on the pricier side, but you can tell that each item is made with lots of love. If you are interested in handmade goods and unique finds, this is a must visit!

This is on the top ten list of every travel site. It was very nice but crowded and a bit expensive…read more I appreciate that you get to see all the artisanal food together, but for me part of the charm of these things is seeking them out. A lot of arts and crafts such as carving, leather, and clothing. A really lovely felt flower maker. I've been to many many markets and this was good but didn't blow me away. Beautiful setting obviously and the vendors were chatty and informative.