Guildford Town Centre's rooftop is blooming with vegetable goodness. 

Janna Vohora, general manager of Guildford Town Centre, said the shopping centre recently partnered with MicroHabitat Urban Farming to create an urban farm on its rooftop. 

"We are delighted to share that our farm is blooming with a delightful mix of flowers, herbs, veggies, and fruits. Each week, our harvest will make its way to the Surrey Food Bank and support our local community," Vohora said. 

Diego Oliveira, Surrey Food Bank's events and digital communications coordinator, said its clients will be so happy with the fresh produce and are so thankful to Guildford Town Centre and MicroHabitat. 

The food bank collects produce and non-perishable food items. The food bank serves clients in Surrey and North Delta who live north of 40 Avenue and helps more than 17,000 clients monthly, with 42 per cent being under 19.

Nicholas Gilroy, chief urban farmer for MicroHabitat Vancouver, said the 30-pot urban farm is expected to produce more than 300 pounds of harvest annually. 

"We're excited to provide a bountiful harvest to the Surrey Food Bank," Gilroy said.

Throughout the harvest season, donations are made weekly to the Surrey Food Bank. 

The first harvest from the garden, which was planted in mid-May, was a bit late this year due to some cold weather in June.

Gilroy said the initial harvest was mostly greens, such as Swiss chard and kale. As the weather started to warm up, they started harvesting more tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. 

Gilroy said this is the first year MicroHabitat has worked with Guildford Town Centre, but they have teamed up with JLL, the company that manages the Centre.  

MicroHabitat started in Montreal in 2016 and has since grown to more than 200 locations across North America. 

The organization also aims to educate people on climate change. 

"I want to educate people on the effects of the urban island heat effect, which is concrete absorbing heat," Gilroy said. 

Every little step we take towards taking care of the earth matters. 

"This garden isn't going to save the planet, but it's one small step in that direction and it's just building a connection between people and their food."

"We live in a beautiful, awesome climate where you're capable of growing almost anything for a good chunk of the year, and just really trying to reconnect people more with their food and the environment," Gilroy said. 

They are looking for farmers in the area to partner with. They currently have partnerships with BC Fresh and grocery stores in Surrey, but they are looking to expand to provide more fresh produce to their clients. Contact for more information.