Proudly supporting women-owned business across Western Canada
We're 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. Here are some of those women entrepreneurs whose businesses we proudly support in select stores across the country. Check your local store for a selection of products from women-owned businesses.
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International Women's Day
Support women entrepreneurs!
British Columbia
Kirsten Brolin from Bee Kind Honey Infusions
Born and raised in BC, farming has been a passion for Kirsten Brolin from a young age. When tragedy struck in 2012, it set her and her family on a new path; Bee Kind Honey Infusions was born that same year. With a focus on local, quality and whole ingredients, they now run a few hundred colonies throughout Langley, Surrey and Aldergrove. And Kirsten's dream of returning to farm life has become reality – filled with bees, chickens, goats and horses.
Sarah Goodman from Chiwis
Sarah Goodman is a nutritionist and lover of snacks, with her company Chiwis, she brings the two together in 100% natural fruit chips. They have no added sugar, are vegan, non-GMO, nut- and gluten-free; they're also made from upcycled fruit (including whole fruit, rind and skin), offering all the goodness of fruit, while reducing food waste and being environmentally conscious.
Amber Seel from True Taste Waffles
Fuelled by her own personal health journey, Amber left the corporate world to become a holistic nutritionist, and founded True Taste Café waffles. In just a few years, her homemade food cart selling waffle sandwiches at farmers markets was sold, and she moved into full waffle production. True Taste Café waffles are ready-made, 1-in.-thick Belgian waffles free from gluten, dairy, eggs, corn, soy and nuts, available in grocery stores across BC.
Kara Sam from Bucha Brew
After having her first of two sons, Kara was searching for a new beverage to satisfy her thirst. She discovered Kombucha on a family trip to Maui, and couldn’t find an equivalent upon her return home to B.C. So, she started brewing kombucha at home – and quickly scaled Bucha Brew in becoming the biggest western Canadian brand on the market! Their drinks are meant to help you rejuvenate, elevate, and thrive!
Jill Forster from Chaser’s Fresh Juice
Cold-pressed Chaser’s Fresh Juices are made with 100% natural ingredients, and are cold pasteurized without heat to extend their shelf life while maintaining their nutritional benefit, and deliver pure goodness and pure flavour in every sip. Jill and her family grew Chaser’s from a small Yaletown juice shop to one of the largest cold-pressed juice manufacturers in B.C. in just under 9 years! As such, Jill encourages any women to venture into entrepreneurship at any stage of life. “We’re all multitaskers capable of big things,” she says.
Ryley Humphry from Laid Back Snacks
Family-owned, woman-led, and woman-operated, B.C.-based, Laid Back Snacks believes in the 80/20 rule of snacking: 80% wholesome goodness, 20% live a little. They’re also a company with a conscience: For every box of snacks sold, they donate a snack to a child in need through a partnership with the Breakfast Club of Canada.
Alberta
Jennifer Kohut from Jenny's Delectables
Jenny’s Delectables – a gourmet line of potato products – was founded by Jennifer in May 2016, starting out in local farmers markets. As the business continues to build, Jennifer's personal values guide their growth; with local ingredients, product innovation and sustainabilty at the forefront. Development has even begun on self-sustained, solar-powered hydroponic grow sites, which will make Jenny’s Delectables 100% local in all lines of products.
Mary Burch from Red House Salsa
Mary Burch's salsa journey all began with family. They made salsa together – chopping garlic and peppers, stirring pots, and creating homemade gifts to share. Through friendly encouragement, as "you never grow inside your comfort zone", Mary was inspired to turn this hobby into a business that balances the demands of a busy family with her entrepreneurial passion.
Kathleen Chamberlain from Side Hustle Fudge
Kathleen Chamberlain started Side Hustle Fudge in 2019 in Calgary, AB, when looking for a part-time job she could work around her kid's schedule. She's passionate about bringing hand-made, old-fashioned fudge, in both classic and new flavours to everyone. Made with ceam, butter and sugar there are currently 12 flavours to choose from, from chocolate and vanilla to whiskey and lemon-blueberry.
Laurel Winter from Winter's Turkeys
Laurel Winter's family has tilled the same land in Dalmead, Alberta for over four generations. Laurel's deep agricultural roots led her to continue farming on the same land that her mother and grandmother tilled, and she's raising her two daughters on their family farm and hoping to pass on her love for agriculture to them. Winter's Turkeys are free range, with unlimited access to fresh water and the outdoors, and are fed a whole grain diet that is supplemented with organic greens and forage.
Ashlee Steinhauer from Worthy
Ashlee became passionate about making jam while in a 12-step recovery program in 2014. A few years later, as she started to get her zest for life back, Ashlee decided to focus on making jam full-time. Her jams are distinct in flavour and made without artificial sweeteners, flavours, or colours, and made with citrus pectin and organic cane sugar. But what really makes them “worthy” are the distinct flavours, including Earl Grey Lavender Peach, Strawberry Cardamom, and Vanilla Rhubarb.
Kathy Leskow from Confetti Sweets
A stay-at-home mom with a sweet tooth and big ambitions, Kathy turned her love of baking into a farmers-market cookie business that was so popular she soon needed her own sweet-smelling bakery. Her latest endeavor? A cookie mix to bring that warm fresh-baked-cookie scent home – but with much less effort. And don’t worry! She doesn’t mind if you take all the credit.
Anna Jane Daklala from Secret Foods
In 2020, Anna Jane had a business vision: to produce clean, all-natural plant-based alternatives to traditional condiments. She spent a year developing sauces and building a brand, then quit her job and pursued this passion with everything she had. Now, her premium mouth-watering tahini sauces are no secret. Albertans are using them to elevate their favourite meals with a little drizzle, dip, or dress!
Manitoba
Amanda Lynn Desutter from Amanda Lynn Gluten Free
In 2015, once diagnosed with a health condition prohibiting the consumption of gluten, Amanda Lynn DeSutter embarked on a journey that lead to the creation of Amanda Lynn Gluten Free. From her Anola, Manitoba-based Gluten Free facility, her team makes her beloved Ukrainian-style perogies just like Baba (grandma) did. It took years to perfect her Gluten Free dough and it's so good, you might even think it's better than the gluten version!
Dianna Upton from Lady Di's Snackers
The Di in Lady Di's Snackers is Dianna Upton, who combined her love of popcorn flavour and pretzels into one handy, crunchy snack. She taste-tested her concept on friends for a decade before she hit local Anola, Manitoba markets to great response. Today, her Zesty, Dill Pickle and Parmesan Herb and Garlic flavoured pretzels are winning over new fans in Manitoba and beyond!
Michelle Gospic from The Healthy Nut
Developed by health-conscious mom and body builder Michelle Gospic, The Healthy Nut protein bars are free of top allergens, additive and preservatives (which is why they're refrigerated). Created in part for her daughter who was battling cancer (and is now in remission), the bars are easy to digest, nutrient dense and made in small batches.
Suzan Stupak from The Stak Co
Manitoba-based Suzan Stupak is part of a large Metis family of cooks who treat family gatherings as a culinary competition. It's no wonder then that she created The Stak Co line of Manitoba-grown blends of pulses and ready-to-make soups that are nutrient-dense, low fat, gluten and peanut-free. Her agribusiness provides plant-based, protein-rich alternatives to meat that are wallet-friendly and taste great!
Michelle LeClair from Woseley Kombucha
Wolseley Kombucha started as a home-spun business in 2016 around founder and master brewer Michelle Leclair's kitchen table. In 2019, she built Manitoba's first kombucha facility and taproom, going on to win best new product and rising star by Food and Beverage Manitoba. Today, her gf, artifical flavour-free, raw, unfiltered booch is made with 95% organic ingredients in a variety of spectacular flavours.
Millie Krause from Elman’s Food Products
Founded in 1938 by Samuel Finkleman, Elman’s has been passed down through family for over 70 years. They have worked hard to keep the Kosher company intact and viable through great products, service, and branding. Dedication and sticking to these tenets have been key to their success.
Agata Robb from Juice Me
Agata is on a mission to offer all-natural Super Shots. And for this mom of two, convenience is key. As such, her frozen, cold-pressed, and concentrated shots can be consumed in a variety of ways: added to hot water, regular water, sparkling water – or defrosted and shot straight. However you enjoy them, you’ll enjoy their flavour and ease!
Colleen Wohlgemuth from Stone City Coffee
Colleen’s love for freshly roasted specialty coffee began on a trip to her sister’s California roastery. She brought home beans to serve friends, who called it “the best coffee ever!” And so began the coffee dream. What started as side gig has now become a fulltime job roasting small-batch coffee beans for exquisitely smooth coffee that absolutely bursts with flavour.
Saskatchewan
Colleen Hausseker from Canadian Organic Spice
Splendor Garden Canadian Organic Spice & Herb Co. was started in 2012 after founder Colleen Haussecker went through a life-changing battle with breast cancer. She realized her passion – to provide food that is healthy, nutritious and that tastes good. She started her business with organic spices and herbs to add antioxidants and extra nutrition to meals, without relying on salt, sugar, or fat for flavour.
Adrian Gregor from Etter Seed & Processing
Silo Pulses + Grains is a family-owned enterprise with next generation pulse business owner Adrienne Gregor working to shine a light on home grown Candian pulses in Richardson, Saskatchewan. Since 2019, Adrienne has been working with her farmer father Jim and husband in bringing Canadian lentils, flax, chickpeas and other plant-based protein-rich pulses and grains to customers.
Raquel Vigueras from Pueblo Chilli Co
While completing a graphic design diploma in Vancouver, Pueblo Chili Co. owner Raquel Vigueras took her love of hot sauces and turned the idea of a concept into a full-fledged brand at school. In 2019, she began to mix and blitz ingredients for her hot sauce line that recognizes her Chilean roots and her father's incredible story of Chilean political refugee to Canadian citizen. From mild to fiery, you can find these Regina, Saskatchewan, small-batch made sauces at a Saskatchewan Store near you.
Alicia Esmail from Road Coffee
From international development projects to working alongside coffee farmers, coffee has never been far from Road Coffee Co's founder Alisha Esmail’s mind; it’s an integral part of her daily ritual that she's savoured for many years. Her past work executing development projects in Haiti, Nepal and South Africa set fire to a desire to make a positive impact and spark change in an industry filled with turmoil and unethical practice. Alisha set out to create that change by employaing a BeyondFair program her team developed aa a way for farmers to capture more value, grow their business, and benefit the lives of their community, while bringing great coffee to Canadians.
Stephanie Numchuk from Simpson Snacks
As a mother of three busy children, Stephanie has always relied on snacks to get through the days. The pretzels she made were always a huge hit at home, so when she and her husband were approached to bring them to market, they couldn’t say no! It was a leap of faith, but one she’s thrilled they took.
Taylor Chapman and Colleen Cretin from Good Spirit Kombucha
These two sisters-in-law are proud to be at the helm of a business that makes tasty, fizzy non-alcoholic alternatives more accessible to everyone in the prairies. Fruity, fizzy, and tangy, their refreshing kombucha boasts the perfect balance, and is a wellness treat borne of a love for health and whole foods. Cheers!
Northern Ontario
Katie Porobic and Audry Gavin from June & Jo Spice Company
Katie and Audry launched their small-batch spice blending company in 2021 with Katie’s Grandma June’s popular family recipe in hand and a passion to make it work. And it has! In under a year, they’ve seen incredible demand for their Texas Original Spice Blend and Texas Crispy Coating Mix, delivering great flavour geared for all cooking levels.
Kate Shumka from Shumka Dust
In culinary school, Kate spent a ton of time tossing around different spices – with great success! – and the first Shumka Dust spice mixes were born. Now, Kate uses the same practice alongside her husband and 12-year-old daughter to create your go-to seasonings, spices, and rubs. Kick up your cooking and use it on anything your heart desires!
Andrea Mulligan from Sleeping Giant Brewing Company
Northwestern Ontario's largest microbrewery is family-run and Indigenous-owned. Located on the shores of Lake Superior, it was founded in 2011 by Andrea and Kyle Mulligan and born of a passion for craft beer and all things local and artisanal.
