Community blooms at the Clayton Farmer’s Market

What makes a community?

Is it knowing your neighbour? A shared love for a local sports team?

For many, a community means advocating for and supporting each other; it’s creating a shared sense of belonging, no matter who you are or where you’re from.

So much of our community relies on connection. As human beings, we rely on that sense of belonging to connect us. It’s the bedrock of strong, healthy and vibrant relationships, which in turn, are the cornerstones of our community.

Sabrina Mehlhorn is a proud member of the Clayton Heights community and the founder, organizer and market manager of the newly minted Clayton Community Farmer’s Market.

Sabrina Mehlhorn stands next to one of the Farmer’s Market’s banners.

Every Sunday, she and her team connect Clayton residents to nutritious, healthy and locally grown and sourced food. Individuals and families from around the neighbourhood come together to meet, chat and spend time with each other in an informal and comfortable setting.

“This is a beautiful part of Cloverdale and it’s important that people feel at home,” she says.

Identifying opportunity

When she moved to the Clayton neighbourhood four years ago, Sabrina wanted to find ways to get involved in her community. She stared following local groups on Facebook so that she could get a feel for what was happening in her backyard.

“One day, people were talking about the ‘needs’ of the neighbourhood and many people were expressing their love for farmer’s markets.”

Vendors sell their goods at the Clayton Community Farmer’s Market.

At that time, the closest market was in Langley, which, until this year, was only held on Wednesday evenings.

“The other market in Surrey is held at Central City, right in the heart of downtown Surrey,” says Sabrina. That can be a thirty minute drive from her home, or even longer, depending on the traffic.

So instead of getting demoralized, she thought to herself, ‘This is something that I want to take on.’

And take it on she did. In the fall of 2017, she launched the inaugural Clayton Community Farmer’s Market. It had an immediate and positive impact on local residents and families.

“All of a sudden, thousands of our neighbours had easy access to local fruits and vegetables, freshly baked goods and other delicious foods.”

Local fresh vegetables for sale at the Rondriso Farms stall at the Clayton Community Farmer’s Market.

Even better?

“People actually now have the chance to meet and talk to the farmers and other highly-talented small business owners from our community.”

The importance of connection

Every other Sunday, Sabrina sees and hears first-hand how important it is for many attendees to meet the people who are growing their food. This feedback is integral to her and her team.

“It’s so important to have a strong gauge of how the market is being received by the community. We’ve had hundreds and hundreds of visitors at every market, so we are seeing how it can easily become a weekly market starting next year.”

She is also committed to providing a variety of vendors, farmers and artisans – a reflection of the diversity of her neighbourhood and the families who call it home.

Fresh fruit for sale at the Clayton Community Farmer’s Market.

“We really do have an amazing mix of product,” she says “And it’s always changing.”

The market also has a dedicated ‘Family Fun Zone’ with free face painting, colouring and board games, live music and food trucks.

“It’s very easy to spend a whole morning at the market,” laughs Sabrina.

For her, the most gratifying part of launching the market has been the overwhelmingly positive response – from both new families and long-time residents.

“There’s no better feeling then when patrons come up to me at the on a Sunday and express their gratitude for the market. I’ve heard many times that it was ‘long overdue’ in this community.”

Looking forward

Not one to rest on her laurels, Sabrina is also thinking up new, fun neighbourhood-focused projects.

“I would really love to see more block parties in Clayton so that everyone can meet their neighbours,” she says. “We have a high population density so I think they would be a big hit.”

She sees how essential these connections and community events are to the health and vibrancy of her neighbourhood.

A local vendor at the Clayton Community Farmer’s Market.

“I think once we get to know each other, we really look out for each other in various situations.”

In whatever capacity she is working, Sabrina is dedicated to the success of Clayton and its residents. She and her hard-working team are always looking for volunteers, eager to lend a helping hand.

“I started this new initiative all by myself, so we’re always looking for support for setup and take down, and help during market hours.”

With more than 55 vendors at every market, there is always something to do – whether it is produce to be sold, neighbours to be met or communities to be built.

Want to help out Sabrina and her team? Connect with her here.

Be sure to come out and visit the Clayton Farmer’s Market! Open every other Sunday between now and October, it’s the perfect place to build community and to show your local love.

UWLM is proud to be a part of the Farmer’s Market – as well as other local activities like neighbourhood movie nights – as part of an early collaboration with Clayton residents. In the community? We’d love to meet you!

Looking for additional fun ways to get involved in your community this summer? We’ve got you covered.