Dignity, Choice & Convenience
We provide access to affordable food with dignity.
Gathering Markit is a Non-Profit Grocery Market Serving the Abbotsford Community
Gathering Markit offers a boutique grocery shopping experience in a beautiful, welcoming environment. We exist to bridge the gap between emergency food relief and a regular retail grocery store.
We secure rescued food and donated items weekly that allow us to offer a selection of affordable fresh produce, grocery items and our “ready-made meal kits”. With an emphasis on dignity, choice and convenience we strive to provide a shopping experience that extends a helping hand to families facing short term financial challenges.
Mission
When families can’t afford healthy food options, it affects us all, leading to health, economic, and environmental concerns.
The Gathering Markit helps struggling families purchase affordable food until their financial situation improves and they no longer need help because everyone deserves the right to nutritious food, regardless of their situation.
Vision
To have a Gathering Markit in every community so more food-insecure families can regain their dignity by having the choice and convenience of purchasing affordable healthy food.
Our Values
Compassionate: We are respectful and patient with our customers so they can have a peaceful shopping experience.
Creative Stewards: We maximize our recovered food donations by creatively turning them into meal kits.
Constructive Connectors: We are encouraging, supportive, and relational with our customers so they can feel safe when it’s time for them to leave the Markit.
We are a small but mighty team.
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Founder & Executive DirectorHieke is a Red Seal Chef and was the Owner of a Catering company for 30+ years and local High School Foods Teacher. To say she is passionate about food would be an understatement!
As a parent who struggled to provide for her own children in the past, she knows firsthand the importance of dignity around accessing food.
Opening the Gathering Markit has been the fulfillment of a dream to bridge the gap that exists between receiving emergency food relief and being able to afford to shop at a regular retail store.
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Board ChairFor the past 15 years, Barb has worked with and supported women from all around the world and in all walks of life.
When Barb moved back to Abbotsford from Asia in 2022, she was looking for ways to invest in the community. Hieke's vision for the Gathering Markit is compassionate and practical.
She knew she could get behind that! Equippped with a gentle spirit, and a knack for leading, Barb is a notable force in making sure the Gathering Markit's promotional and fundraising efforts stay on track.
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Board MemberLisa is the newest member to join the board after completing some marketing and communication project work for Hieke.
She had previously volunteered at the Abbotsford Food Bank, and was instantly moved by the Markit's mission and was eager to jump in.
Lisa contributes her skills in copywriting and communication strategy to propel the Gathering Markit's marketing and fundraising strategies.
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Kitchen Manager
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Board MemberKirsten joined the Gathering Markit board after being inspired by Hieke's dream and Barb's invitation to a fundraising event in November 2022.
As a lawyer, proudly based in Abbotsford for over 15 years, Kirsten offers professional experience and legal insights to the Board.
From a more personal perspective, Kirsten has an artistic background and enjoys creatively contributing to promotional materials for the Gathering Markit.
Everyone Should Have Access To Healthy Food Options
Wouldn't You Agree?
To find out more about what we do, come for a tour!
We'd love to show you around.