About Us

Fraser North Farmers Market Society is the home of the Haney, Pitt Meadows and Port Coquitlam Farmers Markets. With a goal to create community, sustainability, and access to local goods, Fraser North Farmers Market Society is where the locals love to shop.

The Vision

The Fraser North Farmers Market Society has been created to encourage a healthy community. “This is where it happens, at the market, connecting community around the table, reflecting the rhythm, the passion, uniqueness and diversity, nourishing the mind, body and soul.”

The Mission

The Fraser North Farmers Market Society encourages a healthy community by providing the public with direct access to food producers. The Market serves to stimulate and support the local economy, to provide opportunities to inform and entertain and to support and strongly encourage environmental sustainability.

The History

In the early part of 2003, Building Community Solutions asked the community to come together and take part in a study circle process to look at issues around poverty, youth and building a healthy community. The Building Community Solutions Steering Committee felt very strongly that a Farmers Market could achieve the goal of building community and a unique experience. A market had been tried in the past but wasn’t successful, so the Committee did some research and concluded:

• People are hungry to make connections with each other

• Farmers Markets are like mini-festivals, they attract people looking to have a shared experience

• Creating relationships between people is the key to success for any community

• Most people want locally grown produce

• Historically, Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows are farming communities

• All over North America, part suburban and part rural communities like ours, are struggling to provide a good quality of life, trying to retain residents and attract businesses while not losing their unique local character

• Farmers Markets address some of these very complex issues by providing a ‘sense of place’, allowing communities like ours to cultivate and support what makes us unique.

A committee was formed in May of 2004. They were incorporated as the Haney Farmers Market Society on August 4, 2004. After numerous meetings, a location was secured, a purpose statement created and with a loan of two thousand dollars from the Building Community Solutions Steering Committee, the market began. The Haney Farmers Market Committee proceeded with its first market from August 21 to October 9, 2004.

The following May, Haney Farmers Market commenced for a longer season. The Market was able to move closer to 224th Street making it part of the downtown shopping experience. The number of satisfied customers and eager vendors grew.

As the seasons changed and years went by, a market coordinator was hired to facilitate growth. The District of Maple Ridge supported the Market by purchasing and installing four permanent signs on provincial and municipal roadways. In 2009, The Society was invited into the City of Port Coquitlam, forming a Thursday afternoon farmers' market.

A thirteen week pilot market in Port Coquitlam was held in 2009 and proved to be a resounding success. The Market is held every Thursday from June to mid-October, from 3pm to 7pm in Leigh Square in the Community Arts Village by City Hall.

In February 2020 our membership voted to adopt the new name of the Fraser North Farmers Market Society in order to better encompass the work we do in the communities we serve.

The Fraser North Farmers Market Society continues to value its ‘roots’. With an ongoing commitment to local food security, social, environmental and economic sustainability, the Board of Directors looks to the community for direction and support. The Society looks forward to the opportunity to be part of the communities of Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Katzie Nation, and Port Coquitlam for many years to come.

Meet the Board

Samantha Daskis

Chair 2024-2026, 2026-2028

Samantha Daskis grew up in the food and beverage industry and learned the value and importance of the local food systems from an early age. After receiving her formal education from the University of Victoria, she took a larger role in the family business helping small businesses navigate the challenges of scaling their food and beverage ideas within the national regulations. Engaging directly with customers and the community at the markets is always a highlight of the season and continues to fuel her inspiration to support the local growers, producers, and innovators. She is excited to further her education with the community leaders of the Fraser North Farmers Market Society and help shape the future of the society as part of the Board of Directors.

Jeanette Chen

Treasurer 2025-2027

Jeanette Chen joined the Fraser North Farmers Market Society in July 2025 after discovering the organization through her involvement with local farmers markets. As Treasurer, she supports the society by managing payroll and market-related expenses, and she is passionate about contributing to the sustainability and growth of community farmers markets.

Chris Evans

Director at Large 2025-2027

Chris Evans is a youth entrepreneur and the co-owner and operator of The Banana Bike. He launched his business at just 13 years old, starting at the Port Coquitlam and Haney Farmers Markets. Since then, Chris has grown The Banana Bike to serve all three Fraser North Farmers Markets, along with large municipal events, private events, and, most recently selling his chocolate dipped frozen bananas in retail. As a board member, he is passionate about helping markets attract new vendors, supporting existing vendors in growing their businesses, and especially encouraging young entrepreneurs to take the leap into business ownership.

Margarita Abeigon De Lima

Vice Chair 2025-2027

Margarita Abeigon De Lima is a local librarian with Brazilian and Spanish background, so bringing people together has always been important to her. She values spaces that build connection, learning, and a sense of belonging, and Fraser North Farmers Market is a natural extension of that work. Being involved allows her to support community engagement, celebrate cultural diversity, and help create a welcoming place for everyone.

Abby Lizee

Secretary 2025-2027

Abby Lizee has been a resident of Maple Ridge for over 20 years and has worked at more than one local non-profit. Through her work at Maple Ridge Museum she has brought a wealth of historical knowledge and a deep passion for community engagement to her role on the board. In 2025 she was a finalist for the Maple Ridge Community Foundation’s Citizen of the Year in recognition of her volunteerism. She is committed to collaborative leadership and to advancing the organization’s mission in service of the community. On Saturdays you can find her frequenting the Haney Farmers Market with her child, one of their favourite summer activities.

Randy Molnar

Member at Large 2024-2026, 2026-2028