By Hans Peter Meyer
Lia McCormick launched Clever Crow in 2012 with a line of locally-grown and sourced herbs, spices and sea salts. She and husband Brian had been living in the Valley for 16 years. They were avid gardeners, and were working in some of the region’s best restaurants. Producing locally-sourced 'flavour enhancements' was a natural extension of their passion for food.
Clever Crow herbs are grown and dried in the Valley, as are Lia's meticulously and uniquely processed sea salts.
“We go out and collect all the water ourselves, and we do a lot of filtering and boil the water to a certain temperature.”
Attention to detail results in a “beautiful flaked sea salt,” something that makes Clever Crow stand out from other salt products.
Starting with a basic line of salts and herbs in 2012, Clever Crow has seen steady growth in its line of products since then.
“We now have nine different sea salts, and 12 herb and spice blends,” Lia said.
They also produce salted caramels and nuts, wedding favours and corporate gifts.
“Realtors like to buy my products to put in gift baskets to give to their clients. It’s great to see people getting creative with local food gifts.”
Clever Crow products can be found at Weinberg’s Good Food in Buckley Bay, and at the Salish Sea Market in Bowser. If heading north of town, visit their farm stand off the highway in Black Creek. Products are also available at the Comox Valley Farmers’ Market.
Market executive director Vickey Brown has often said: “We grow farmers.”
The market also grows businesses, and Clever Crow is an example. It has functioned as a business incubator for McCormick, allowing her to launch with a basic line of products, and grow to the point where she is now working full-time on Clever Crow. Like other vendors, Lia finds huge value in the direct feedback the market provides. That’s especially important when she’s developing new flavours – like the Moroccan Spice and French/Indian mild curry offerings that Clever Crow has just launched.
For more information, contact clevercrowfarm@gmail.com or visit facebook.com/CleverCrowHerbsSeaSalts.
Drop in at 7911 Island Hwy. in Black Creek.