Proudly supporting women and women-owned businesses
At Foodland, we are committed to making diversity, equity and inclusion part of everything we do. Our local supplier program is a natural extension of this journey towards building an inclusive culture. By supporting women entrepreneurs to grow and scale their businesses, we are bringing greater diversity to our stores, our customers and in helping support the communities we serve. In addition to supporting local suppliers, we also support our franchisee network and recognize the amazing owners that work hard every day to improve their communities. Meet some of the inspirational female store owners behind your local Foodland.
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Ontario Vendors
ZoRaw Chocolate, Toronto, Gigi Gill
Meet Gigi, co-founder of ZoRaw chocolate. After battling autoimmune issues for years, Gigi turned to the keto diet and quickly noticed that her symptoms dissappeared however she was unable to find an alternative for her favourite treat - chocolate. Determined to find a solution, Gigi started making her own recipes at home and after much trial and error, ZoRaw was born. As pioneers of the world's first chocolates enriched with protein, fiber, and no added sugar, their mission is to help consumers achieve their nutrition goals without sacrificing taste.
FIRECRACKER PEPPER SAUCE, Toronto, Carmen McCracken
Meet Carmen, co-founder of the award-winning FIRECRACKER PEPPER SAUCE. These all-natural, gluten-free, vegan sauces originated when the husband-wife duo were planning their wedding. Inspired by the fusion of cultures, they decided to create a wedding favor that represented who they are. After receiving great reviews and realizing the difficulty in finding authentic, fresh Trini-style pepper sauce, FIRECRACKER PEPPER SAUCE was born.
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 the most delicious snacks on the market.
Nanashake, Toronto, Tamara Al Dip
NanashakeTM started as a personal quest to create a delicious yet healthy 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 NanaPopsTM ice cream bars. They are naturally sweetened with organic bananas and made with wholesome plant-based ingredients that will satisfy your sweet tooth while also providing nutritional value and supporting a healthy and active lifestyle. NanaPopsTM are so nutritious that they have been dubbed “Smoothie-on-a-Stick” by customers.
Tonica Kombucha, Toronto, Zoey Shamai
From a humble kitchen venture to becoming one of the top 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, accessible to all. Now, everyone can savor the delicious taste while reaping the benefits of enhanced digestion.
Deliciously Wickt, Smithville, Victoria Greene
Meet Victoria Greene, the creator of Deliciously Wickt. Victoria's love for creating and designing led her to what started as a hobby on maternity leave but quickly transformed into a passionate endeavor to create high-quality, eco-friendly, and clean-burning products. The superiority and care that go into all of Deliciously Wickt’s products come second only to Victoria’s philanthropy to promote awareness of worthwhile causes in our communities and protect our global resources.
From Farm to Table, Cambridge, Becky Smollett
From Farm to Table was founded by Becky Smollett over 10 years ago in Cambridge, Ontario. One evening, Becky's family and local grower friends were popping fresh, handpicked corn over a bonfire, sparking the beginning of the company. They joined forces to create a product that could capture that moment and deliver flavors, providing locally grown yet healthy food that met the nutritional needs of their communities. Offering premium popcorn crafted from locally grown, GMO-free kernels, they are dedicated to collaborating with local, family-owned suppliers, demonstrating their commitment to supporting the community
Happy Pops, Toronto, Leila Keshavjee
Meet Leila, founder of Happy Pops. Through her education, Leila learned that there are many names for sugar and how it is often difficult to find products with ingredients you can recognize. As an athlete and coach, she wanted to create a unique line of ice pops suitable for breakfast on the go, post-workout, or for a refreshing afternoon snack. Drawing on her South Asian heritage, she has developed a unique flavour offering of handcrafted ice pops free of artifical ingredients.
Humble Seedz, Orangeville, Liz Long
After adopting a plant-based diet, Liz Long quickly realized the limitations in peanut/nut-free options. Liz and her husband made it their mission to create a line of products that were allergy-free and made with wholesome ingredients. Drawing upon knowledge from the dairy industry, they began crafting vegan cheese from sunflower seeds, ticking every box, including low allergic reactions and great taste—approved by the toughest critics, their children. Liz's goal is to continue innovating the category while offering nutritious products they are proud to serve.
Manning Canning, Toronto, Christine Manning
Manning Canning makes a line of natural charcuterie style preserves for consumers who want 'better for you' products. Using only simple, whole ingredients and traditional processes, without preservatives or additives, their aim is to create products that you can feel good about consuming and 'taste like they should'.
More Granola, Toronto, Sarah Davies
Founded by Sarah Davies, More Granola offers a range of snackable granola chunks that draw inspiration from classic dessert flavors. Sarah's signature granola chunks uniquely bridge the gap between traditional loose granola cereal and granola bars, distinguishing them in the market. These large, cookie-like pieces can be enjoyed straight out of the bag or broken up for spoonful consumption, providing a versatile and enjoyable treat that is both fun and functional.
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.
