Celebrate Local Food Week
Every June in Ontario we celebrate all the local farmers, suppliers, and products that are crafted right here in the Heartland Province. Next time you visit your local Foodland, be on the lookout for some our favourite local products below and celebrate the local bounty that surrounds you.
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Our Local Food Week Vendors
Nanashake, Toronto, Tamara Al Dip
Nanashake™ started as a personal quest to create a delicious ice cream alternative that the entire family can enjoy. Co-founded in 2015 by Tamara, they are a family-run business based out of Toronto, proudly making NanaPops™ ice cream bars. They are naturally sweetened with organic bananas and made with plant-based ingredients that will satisfy your sweet tooth while also providing value and supporting an active lifestyle. NanaPops™ have been dubbed “Smoothie-on-a-Stick” by its customers.
Tonica Kombucha, Toronto, Zoey Shamai
From a humble kitchen venture to becoming a nationally sold kombucha brand in Canada, Zoey's journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Brewed and bottled in Toronto, her mission was to transform the bold flavors of kombucha into a light and refreshing beverage. Now, everyone can savour the delicious taste while reaping the benefits of kombucha.
Comeback Snacks, Mississauga, Emily O'Brien
Comeback Snacks was started while its founder, Emily O'Brien, was in prison. After trying lemon pepper and dill flavoured popcorn, it opened up a new world for Emily to explore. With no access to internet, she began building her company, creating fun yet delicious popcorn flavours with unconventional foods. Since then, it has been the company's mission to raise awareness for giving people second chances and to support reintegration programs. They make every bag with conviction, combining quality ingredients to make delicious snacks.
Sober Carpenter, London, Nicolas Gagnon
Sober Carpenter is a microbrewery dedicated to brewing premium non-alcoholic craft beer founded by Nicolas Gagnon in 2019. The combination of high-quality ingredients and a true craft production process, makes for a tasty non-alcoholic beer! Leading in the non-alcoholic category through premium quality and innovation, Sober Carpenter developed the first organic certified non-alcoholic beer in North America. 100% Craft. 0% Guilt.
Cedar Valley, Windsor, Ameen, Fadel and Surria Fadel
Founded by Ameen Fadel at the age of 16 in Lakeshore, ON, Cedar Valley Selections began with the creation of Canada’s first bottled Fattoush Salad Dressing. With a small grant from Ameen’s school board and his mom’s signature recipe, he had all he needed to begin his venture. Today, Ameen and his mom are on a mission to bring Canadian families tasty alternatives through unique flavours and quality ingredients.
Rawcology, Toronto, Tara Tomulka, Megan Loach Tomulka, Laura Powadiuk
Rawcology is a Toronto based, family owned, and female founded company on a mission to empower everyone to live healthier and happier lives. Rawcology’s organic, plant-based, allergy friendly and low sugar Oat Clusters, Grain Free Granolas and Coconut Chips are not your typical snacks.
Peacasa, Toronto, Victor & Aaron
Victor grew up between Ontario and the South of France and always dreamed of bringing the best parts of the Mediterranean food culture to Canada. Aaron grew up near Toronto and was obsessed with experimenting in the kitchen to make healthier versions of his favourite snacks. They met in University and after graduating, decided to go on an adventure to the heart of the Mediterranean. After 12 days traversing the mountains of Corsica on the GR20 trail, they visited a street market in the South of France. Victor introduced Aaron to a traditional snack enjoyed in the Mediterranean for centuries: a delicious wood-fired crepe made from chickpeas and olive oil called Socca. They agreed they had to bring it to Canada and started a journey to transform this chickpea snack into a delicious chip. They spent a year experimenting with hundreds of different recipes and sold the chips at farmers markets in Toronto.
WakeWater, Toronto, Scott Currie
WakeWater was born from a need for something that energized us but wasn’t a regular ol’ cup of joe or a sugary energy drink. We knew that we needed a boost to get through the day but we didn’t want the crash. So, since we couldn’t find what we were looking for, we decided to do it ourselves. We knew our team could create a beverage that was refreshing and was something we could feel good about, so we jumped in and created WakeWater. Fast forward to today and you can find WakeWater across the country as we continue to grow on our path to help Canadians energize without compromise. At WakeWater, we believe that sometimes we all need a little bit of a boost to accomplish even the little victories in life.
Ontario Vendors
Nanashake, Toronto, Tamara Al Dip
Nanashake™ started as a personal quest to create a delicious ice cream alternative that the entire family can enjoy. Co-founded in 2015 by Tamara, they are a family-run business based out of Toronto, proudly making NanaPops™ ice cream bars. They are naturally sweetened with organic bananas and made with plant-based ingredients that will satisfy your sweet tooth while also providing value and supporting an active lifestyle. NanaPops™ have been dubbed “Smoothie-on-a-Stick” by its customers.
Tonica Kombucha, Toronto, Zoey Shamai
From a humble kitchen venture to becoming a nationally sold kombucha brand in Canada, Zoey's journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Brewed and bottled in Toronto, her mission was to transform the bold flavors of kombucha into a light and refreshing beverage. Now, everyone can savour the delicious taste while reaping the benefits of kombucha.
Comeback Snacks, Mississauga, Emily O'Brien
Comeback Snacks was started while its founder, Emily O'Brien, was in prison. After trying lemon pepper and dill flavoured popcorn, it opened up a new world for Emily to explore. With no access to internet, she began building her company, creating fun yet delicious popcorn flavours with unconventional foods. Since then, it has been the company's mission to raise awareness for giving people second chances and to support reintegration programs. They make every bag with conviction, combining quality ingredients to make delicious snacks.
Sober Carpenter, London, Nicolas Gagnon
Sober Carpenter is a microbrewery dedicated to brewing premium non-alcoholic craft beer founded by Nicolas Gagnon in 2019. The combination of high-quality ingredients and a true craft production process, makes for a tasty non-alcoholic beer! Leading in the non-alcoholic category through premium quality and innovation, Sober Carpenter developed the first organic certified non-alcoholic beer in North America. 100% Craft. 0% Guilt.
Cedar Valley, Windsor, Ameen, Fadel and Surria Fadel
Founded by Ameen Fadel at the age of 16 in Lakeshore, ON, Cedar Valley Selections began with the creation of Canada’s first bottled Fattoush Salad Dressing. With a small grant from Ameen’s school board and his mom’s signature recipe, he had all he needed to begin his venture. Today, Ameen and his mom are on a mission to bring Canadian families tasty alternatives through unique flavours and quality ingredients.
Rawcology, Toronto, Tara Tomulka, Megan Loach Tomulka, Laura Powadiuk
Rawcology is a Toronto based, family owned, and female founded company on a mission to empower everyone to live healthier and happier lives. Rawcology’s organic, plant-based, allergy friendly and low sugar Oat Clusters, Grain Free Granolas and Coconut Chips are not your typical snacks.
Peacasa, Toronto, Victor & Aaron
Victor grew up between Ontario and the South of France and always dreamed of bringing the best parts of the Mediterranean food culture to Canada. Aaron grew up near Toronto and was obsessed with experimenting in the kitchen to make healthier versions of his favourite snacks. They met in University and after graduating, decided to go on an adventure to the heart of the Mediterranean. After 12 days traversing the mountains of Corsica on the GR20 trail, they visited a street market in the South of France. Victor introduced Aaron to a traditional snack enjoyed in the Mediterranean for centuries: a delicious wood-fired crepe made from chickpeas and olive oil called Socca. They agreed they had to bring it to Canada and started a journey to transform this chickpea snack into a delicious chip. They spent a year experimenting with hundreds of different recipes and sold the chips at farmers markets in Toronto.
WakeWater, Toronto, Scott Currie
WakeWater was born from a need for something that energized us but wasn’t a regular ol’ cup of joe or a sugary energy drink. We knew that we needed a boost to get through the day but we didn’t want the crash. So, since we couldn’t find what we were looking for, we decided to do it ourselves. We knew our team could create a beverage that was refreshing and was something we could feel good about, so we jumped in and created WakeWater. Fast forward to today and you can find WakeWater across the country as we continue to grow on our path to help Canadians energize without compromise. At WakeWater, we believe that sometimes we all need a little bit of a boost to accomplish even the little victories in life.
Atlantic Vendors
McFadgen's Bakery, Glace Bay, NS, Stacy McFadgen
Stacy McFadgen, business manager of McFadgen's Bakery, is part of a third-generation family business. Stacy has been with McFadgen’s for over 10 years. Prior to the bakery, Stacy was an employee of Sobeys. Co-owned by her husband Darren, McFadgen's Bakery have been producing superior bakery products in picturesque Nova Scotia for over 75 years. McFadgen’s is always committed to quality by sourcing only the finest ingredients and sharing that passion for you to taste in every bite.
Galloping Cows Fine Foods, Port Hood, NS, Joanne Schmidt
For more than 27 years, Joanne Schmidt has owned and operated Galloping Cows, a women-owned family business in Port Hood, NS. Specializing in all-natural pepper spreads, Galloping Cows is known not only for its superior quality, but also sourcing local fruits and vegetables. Galloping Cows Spreads can be found through Atlantic Canada in Foodland and Co-op stores.
Leigh MacFarlane of The Soap Co of Nova Scotia
Made with salt water from our pristine Eastern Shore, these plasticfree bars are designed for shampoo, shave and soap! Leigh has carefully created products for folks with scent and/or chemical sensitivities; all are handmade in small batches with high quality natural ingredients that are gluten-free, nut-free, vegan and nonlatex allergy reactive.
Karen Campbell of Pure Raw Pet Food
Karen Campbell’s love of pets led to the development of Pure Raw Pet Food. After years of research and thousands of tail wags, Pure Raw has entered the market. “Bringing this brand to the public is one of my proudest moments,” says Karen. “I believe in natural nutrition, keeping it local, and the power of community.”
Carina Lin of Moose Bell Candy
Moose Bell Products (Pollipop) was founded in 2016 after Yuying and Carina visited a maple forest and were touched by the lifelong dream of a forest keeper just wanting a new truck. The experience opened their eyes to the struggles maple farmers face despite multiple generations devoting a lot of passion to the land. Farmers deserve better so they decided to use locally sourced ingredients such as Grade A maple syrup to produce value added products with New Brunswick characteristics to people across Canada and the world.
Courtney Orser of Falavory Soup Seasoning Blends
A mother of three, Courtney always felt rushed in the kitchen and unable to prepare the kind of healthy, flavourful meals she could be proud to serve. That’s why she developed her “soups by you” blends. Courtney has perfected the spice profile, so all you have to do is add your family’s favourite protein and produce, and you have a homemade family meal, made easy.
Tracy Bell of Millenia Tea
Not just another tea, Millennia Tea is a fresh-leaved tea that aims to fuel wellness and fight illness. Tracy discovered that by washing and flash-freezing organic tea leaves to maximize the tea’s nutritional properties, their product contained 5X more antioxidants than traditional dried green teas. This innovative frozen product is sold as cubes or chopped leaves to be used as a traditional steeped tea, blended in smoothies, or used in sauces or soups.
Shikha Sobti of Sai Krishna Foods
Shikha Sobti, owner and co-founder of Sai Krishna Foods, is the wholesale manufacturer and distributor of authentic handmade Samosas. Sai Krishna Foods has recently won ‘Newcomer Entrepreneur’ 2021 Award by Moncton Chamber of Commerce. Congrats Shikha and team!
Store Owners
Sherri Black from Coldwater, Ontario
With over 33 years at Foodland, Sherri expresses her passion for her community by supporting local charities, schools, sports teams, and food banks. She also mentors young women, showing that there is no limit to what you can achieve. She leads by example and is truly a local legend.
Karine Boucher from Russell, Ontario
Karine has impacted her community by supporting local charities and providing a safe, inclusive environment for her customers and staff. Her positive outlook radiates throughout her store by providing customers with a personalized experience and showing younger generations that women can succeed in any role.
Toby Grieg from Elliot Lake, Ontario
Toby has worked tirelessly for her community not only by supporting non-profits and small businesses but by being an active and engaging leader. Toby wants to encourage and empower the upcoming generations to reach their goals. To her, that’s what being a female leader is all about.
Monica Temmler from Beeton, Ontario
Monica, our franchisee of 24 years at Beeton Foodland, is proud to serve her community by constantly going above and beyond to put her customers and staff’s needs first. She is a proud supporter of local businesses, the local food bank, local sports teams, and Matthews House Hospice. To Monica, being a leader means to lead by example and be respectful. She hopes to inspire more young women to achieve their goals and work towards their dreams. Monica loves what she does, the people she works with and the community she serves.
Beth Perry from Petitcodiac, New Brunswick
Always ready to donate her time, Beth supports community initiatives and families in need. Local has always been a pillar in her everyday operations and that is proudly on display in a mural painted by a local artist. With previous experience in Human Resources, Beth empowers women through leadership, expressing empathy and embracing diversity.
Rhonda Victor from Charlottetown, PEI
Rhonda’s passion for the community is her greatest motivator. She makes sure to stock her shelves with products created and sold by locals. Rhonda believes in creating a friendly atmosphere for staff and customers, further tying her store to the community.
Tina Woodfine from Torbay, Newfoundland
Tina is a big supporter of her community by donating to food banks, sports teams, as well as purchasing from local farmers and businesses. Tina is thankful to have many strong independent women on her team and encourages them through reminders of how they can achieve anything they set their minds to.
Susan Ott from Charles Forest, Nova Scotia
Throughout the pandemic, Susan put her community first by offering delivery to locals in isolation. She continues to go above and beyond in her day-to-day by seeking out local products, actively listening to staff and customers and continuing to make a positive impact in the community she loves dearly.
Brittany Pomeroy from Whycocomagh, Nova Scotia
Brittany prides herself on making her customers feel welcome and supporting the community she serves. Leading by example, she encourages her teammates to engage in day-to-day positivity so members and neighbouring communities can shop in an atmosphere that feels like home.