Chrysopoeia Candles / The Hargrave Family
In alchemy the ancient greek term “Chrysopoeia” means transmutation into gold or “to make golden”. The Hargraves loved the idea of the term in the sense of “purifying” and that their candles will be used for those special times and events in our lives where the light brings us together and are used for celebration, reverence, contemplation or remembering someone.
Currently, Chrysopoeia candles are available year round at the Co-op, in the summer season at the Craft Co-op in Squirrel Cove and in the winter at the Christmas markets.
Piggy Soap Bars / Alanah Caron
Piggy Soap Bars are now for sale at the Coop. The beautiful wooden display featuring six different soap bars is located in the consignment area of the store and two of her bars can also be found in the soap section in the middle aisle. Alanah and her family have been living on Cortes Island for ten years now. She started experimenting with making soap about a year and a half ago. According to Alanah’s research lard soap in particular is very moisturizing and is a soft gentle soap. She uses about 75 percent lard, 20 percent coconut oil and 5 percent castor oil. She adds different essential oils for the scent. These six bars are currently available: Lavender, Peppermint & Green Clay, Gardener’s Coffee Orange, Green Tea & Lemon, Cortes Forest, The Sea Shampoo & Body Bar. Piggy soap bars are sold by weight and are $6.25 per 100g.
Becca’s Beans / Becky & Scott Knutson
Becca’s Beans has been available at the Coop since 2008. We are happy to be able to offer an organic and fairly traded locally roasted coffee which we brew every day in the store and in the cafe when it’s open. You also can buy Becca’s Beans in one pound bags or find it in our bulk section.
Gathering Place Trading / Lovena, Ryan, Kai, Tosh & Asha Harvey
This family business was founded on Cortes Island. Our family travels to each farm we source from, ensuring the best organic and natural products. We never import anything competing with Canadian farmers and we feature Canadian grown herbs and mustards, including Cortes Island grown bay and rosemary! Gathering Place Trading gives 1% of gross profit to grassroots projects we believe in, in the countries we import from, benefiting women and children. We also support projects in Canada that protect our precious ocean, as well as local Campbell River and Cortes Island non profits. Our packaging facility is now in Campbell River but our hearts will always be on Cortes!
“The Co-op was the very first store to carry Gathering Place Trading products! We’re so grateful for the amazing service the Co-op provides our family, both as a vendor and a member. As Rudolph Steiner said “Conscious food creates conscious people!”
Big Fir Farm / Anne, Sam & Gael
For six months of the year, Big Fir Farm supplies produce to the island including carrots, beets, kale, hakurei, tomatoes, lettuce, parsley and basil.
“What feels good about working with the Co-op is the amount of trust that we share; we can concentrate on the farming knowing that the Co-op is committed to promoting our produce.”
Linnaea Farm / Tamara, Adam, and more!
In the summer season you’ll find the cooler stocked with Linnaea Farm salad mix, cucumbers, zucchini, basil, baby carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, head lettuce, cherry tomatoes, hot peppers and eggplant. In the freezer, in season, we stock up the Co-op with beef from our small farm.
“The Co-op is really the heart of our island. Linnaea Farm is proud to display our wares, as so many people, local and visitors alike, frequent the Co-op!”
Visit Linnaea Farm
Cortes Creations / Leslie Mack Mumford
Cortes Creations offers healing skincare that’s locally handmade with medicinal herbs grown in our large organic garden and with local seaweeds. All products are made in small batches with simple, primarily organic ingredients and therapeutic grade essential oils. People who use our products love them because they’re really effective… they work!
“Supplying the Co-op with my products is a pleasure, the staff are helpful and it’s such a great place to meet people.”
Verdiblu / Anna Ochsenbein
Verdiblu jewelry is fuelled by my love for creating distinct west-coast inspired jewelry and collecting from nature. My work incorporates hand-fabrication techniques, intricately cast objects, specimens and natural beach stones. All jewelry is made by hand by me in my Cortes Island BC studio.