Starting a food business is exciting, but figuring out where to sell your product is just as important as perfecting the recipe. Vancouver offers plenty of opportunities for small food brands — from bustling farmers’ markets to boutique cafés and independent retailers. The key is choosing the path that matches your stage of growth, your audience, and your capacity.
Below is your go-to guide for exploring Vancouver’s most accessible sales channels, plus practical tips to help you break in with confidence.
1. Farmers’ Markets: Great for Testing & Building Community
Vancouver’s farmers’ markets are some of the best places for food entrepreneurs to start. They’re friendly, vibrant, and full of customers who love discovering new local products.
Popular Vancouver markets include:
- Riley Park Farmers Market (Nat Bailey Stadium)
- Kitsilano Farmers Market
- Trout Lake Farmers Market
Why markets work so well for new businesses:
- Direct customer feedback helps you refine your product
- You can test pricing, packaging, and new flavors
- Customers expect small batches and handmade products
- You build a loyal base of local fans
Farmer’s market tips:
Bring samples, keep your signage simple, and watch which products sell out first — you’ll learn fast.
2. Cafés & Coffee Shops: Ideal for Small Batches and Local Reach
Vancouver has one of the strongest café cultures in Canada, which makes it a great place to sell baked goods, snacks, and grab-and-go items.
Local cafés known to support small food makers include:
- 49th Parallel Coffee (Kits, Thurlow, Main)
- Nemesis Coffee (Gastown, GNW, Great Northern Way)
- JJ Bean (multiple locations, works with local suppliers)
Why cafés are a strong step:
- Consistent weekly orders
- High foot traffic
- Easy way to build brand awareness
- Great for smaller batch production
How to pitch cafés:
Bring samples, offer simple wholesale pricing, and show that you can deliver reliably. Café owners love local products that stand out.
3. Independent Retailers & Specialty Shops: Best for Established Products
Once your packaging, pricing, and production are dialed in, retail can help you reach a wider audience.
Vancouver retailers known for carrying local food brands:
- The Gourmet Warehouse (Vancouver)
- Be Fresh Market (Kitsilano & Mount Pleasant)
- Dalina (Chinatown & Main Street)
Why retail is great for growth:
- You gain visibility beyond your immediate network
- Stores handle a lot of the customer interaction
- Shelf presence builds brand trust
Retail advice:
Start with small specialty shops before approaching large chains. Bring a clean sell sheet with your ingredients, wholesale pricing, product photos, and SKU list.
Which Sales Channel Is Best for You?
It depends on your stage:
- Brand new? Farmers’ markets (fast learning + loyal customers).
- Ready for consistent orders? Cafés (steady weekly wholesale).
- Prepared to scale? Retail shops (bigger reach + stronger presence).