OUR STORY
George and Celise, both new residents of Port Alberni, connected through their shared passion for food. Bonding over George's love for growing food and Celise's passion for cooking, their friendship blossomed. When a small cafe at Harbour Quay went up for sale, they seized the opportunity, already supplying homegrown veggies to Grassroots. The dream became a reality, and together, they transformed the cafe into the thriving community hub it is today.
George, our versatile host, infuses the cafe with warmth and joy, embodying the essence of community. Meanwhile, Celise, our skilled chef, champions a culinary vision committed to locally sourced, fresh ingredients. At Grassroots, we pride ourselves on fostering close relationships with local producers, ensuring that every dish is a celebration of the region's bounty.
We’re lucky to work with amazing local suppliers.
Half Acre Gardens
Providing a variety of thoughtfully grown produce to elevate your dining experience.
Stonehaven Farm
A reliable source for fresh, locally raised certified Angus cattle.
No Rymer Reason Farm
Specializing in diverse crops, contributing to the rich flavors of our menu.
Shelter Farm
Committed to sustainable agriculture, ensuring the highest quality ingredients.
The Rabbit Hole
A local favorite supplying unique varieties of microgreens and vegetables
Nook Baked Goods
Crafting wholesome baked goods using locally sourced, organic ingredients.
Wholesome Coast
Providing our loyalty cards printed on high quality paper embedded with wildflower seeds.
Spirit Square Farmers Market
Supporting local producers at this vibrant market for a diverse array of fresh products.
Alberni Farmers Institute
A collective effort toward a greener tomorrow through collaborative and sustainable farming.
Canadian Seafood Processing Inc.
A leading supplier of high-quality and responsibly sourced seafood products.
A Note from Half-Acre Gardens
“Half-Acre would like to give a huge thank you to Grassroots for supporting our market garden this growing season.
We met Celise years back, when she visited our garden with a couple co-workers from her former workplace. They were interested in seeing what we grew and how they could incorporate it in their menu. We were delighted and blown away by this experience!
With boots on the ground, they strolled through speaking their language of the culinary arts. They touched and smelt things that Evan and I had not even considered would be of interest. Our relationship with Celise only grew from there, in friendship and the business world.
Now, running her own Cafe, Celise has fully unleashed her vision.
With her endless passion to create new dishes, and a garden of her own, she embraces the necessity of adapting with the seasons. For our operation, that flexibility is extremely valuable. Whether we have a couple bags of spring greens or more winter squash than we can carry, Celise does her best to use what’s available. Working with Grassroots is an absolute pleasure and a dream come true!”