Chinese-Canadian Family Business Kin’s Farm Market Celebrates 40 Years as Local Community Grocer

Immigrant family business success story of hard work, perseverance and mentorship inspires three generations of grocers

Richmond, B.C. (September 7, 2023) – Kin’s Farm Market is celebrating its 40^th Anniversary since the family business’ humble beginnings in 1983 when they first set up shop at Granville Island Public Market with an eight-foot table, selling fresh produce from local farmers.

Kin’s Farm Market is planning a 40^th Anniversary public celebratory event on Saturday, September 9^th at 12:30 p.m. at their Richmond Blundell Centre location (Unit 176 – 8180 No 2 Rd., Richmond). Media are invited to attend where local VIPs and dignitaries will be speaking at an intimate ceremony.

Third-generation grocer Victor Lau, chief operating officer at Kin’s Farm Market, recalls his grandparents Chie Yau Leung and Chie Wen Leung sacrificing everything they had to emigrate from China with their three children, Kin Fun, Kin Wah and Kin Hun in 1981.

“My grandparents literally came to Canada with nothing but pocket change and lived in the attic of a house in the Hastings Sunrise community,” explains Lau. “They were extremely hard working, diligent, and steadfast, working odd jobs at restaurants and as dishwashers while learning English at Vancouver Community College. But it wasn’t until they visited Granville Island Public Market that their lives forever changed.”

In 1983, the family set up their first eight-foot table at Granville Island Public Market, selling fresh produce they sourced from local farmers. Each day, they would drive out to the Fraser Valley, getting to know the local farmers and educating themselves on how produce was grown.

“We’ve known the Leung Family at Kin’s Farm Market for decades ever since they visited our farm in the early 80’s and bought our strawberries,” explains Kevin Husband, owner of Emma Lea Farms in Westham Island in Delta. “Our farm has been in the family for four generations since 1885 so it’s great to partner with another similar-minded multi-generational family business like Kin’s who believe in providing customers with locally grown fresh produce.”

In 1987, the family opened their first permanent Kin’s Farm Market location in Richmond, a 2,000 square foot store at Blundell Centre. Placing customers first and delivering the freshest products became central to their business model for future Kin’s Farm Market stores.

The family also credits their success to a number of mentors who helped guide their business throughout the years. One of these mentors was Roger Gillespie of COBS Bread when he decided to expand his Australian company to Canada.

“Roger Gillespie and his family were instrumental in helping our family grow our business,” says Lau. “He took us under his wing and his invaluable mentorship helped us become the first local Green Grocer chain in B.C.”

“When we decided to expand into Canada, we saw a synergy with Kin’s Farm Market as a family-owned and operated business and decided to partner together to grow our businesses in B.C.,” says Aaron Gillespie, President of COBS Bread and son of Roger Gillespie. “Both my father Roger and Kin Wah had a great rapport and understood each other and saw opportunities that mutually benefitted both companies, and now Victor and I feel the same as the next generation running our companies.” 

The company has won an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2009 in the category of business to consumers, and in February 2013, Kin Wah Leung was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his achievements.

Today, the family business has grown to 23 community stores throughout the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley with a workforce of close to 300 people. The company also continues to pay it forward by giving back to the community, and have contributed to the University of British Columbia Endowment Fund, B.C. Children’s Hospital, Richmond Hospital Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society, and often supports new immigrants through S.U.C.C.E.S.S. 

“We’re truly proud to be a local community grocer selling fresh produce and inspiring a better quality of life in our communities for decades to come, which is not only our purpose statement for the company but also what inspired our family to move to Canada,” says Lau.

About Kin’s Farm Market:

Established in 1983 first as a grocer table selling fresh produce in Granville Island Public Market, then with its first permanent grocery store in 1987 in Richmond’s Blundell Centre, Kin’s Farm Market has become a true local favourite with 23 neighbourhood stores throughout the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley. With its family-owned and operated headquarters in Richmond, B.C., Kin’s has established a well-earned reputation for having the freshest fruits and vegetables, anywhere. This is, in large part, a result of the long-term relationships they’ve established with local farms and growers. It’s motto, ‘Fresher Produce. Healthy Savings’ highlights the company’s commitment to providing customers with exceptional quality produce along with unsurpassed value. www.kinsfarmmarket.com.

Instagram: @kinsfarmmarket   Facebook: @KinsFarmMarket

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