Proudly supporting women and women-owned businesses
At Sobeys Inc., 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. Here are some of the women-owned businesses we proudly support in select stores across the country. Check your local store for a selection of products.
International Women's Day
Support women entrepreneurs!
Alberta
![Jennifer from Jenny's Delectable](/https/www.sobeys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Jennys-Delectables.jpg)
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](/https/www.sobeys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Mary-Burch.jpg)
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](/https/www.sobeys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Kathleen-Chamerlain.jpg)
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.
![Kristy Goodrow from Sweetness Sugar Cookies](/https/www.sobeys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Kristy-Goodrow.jpg)
Kristy Goodrow from Sweetness Sugar Cookies
Sweetness Sugar Cookies started as a solo project in Kristy Goodrow's basement kitchen, growing into a production facility filled with a team supporting her dream to build a company that is fun, inclusive, supportive, and full of grit. Sweetness is not your average cookie company; Sweetness colouring cookies were created as a fun at-home-activity. Today their delicious sugar cookies and food colouring markers are bringing families together across Canada, with a prep, mess and chaos free cookie decorating experience.
![Image of Natalia, founder of Seven Spice, infront of a brick wall wearing black coat.](/https/www.sobeys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/seven_spice_supplier.jpg)
Natalia Lazic from Seven Spice
Natalia Lazic grew up eating spicy food, thanks to her family’s Yugoslavian roots. With a passion for home cooking, she was frustrated that she could not find a quality, Asian-style chili oil. One day, she and her mother Anna, started mixing ingredients in the kitchen, and before you could say the words ‘chili oil’ Seven Spice Chili Oil was created. The number 7 inspires the name, Seven Spice as it was originally made with seven ingredients. Seven Spice chili oil is available in hot, mild and extra hot.
![Image of Sarjesa Tea founder, standing outside in yellow dress.](/https/www.sobeys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/sarjesa_tea_supplier.jpg)
Alexandra Daignault from Sarjesa Tea
Alexandra started her radically tasty tea company as a university student to raise awareness of violence against women and supporting local programming for women in crisis. Sarjesa, alongside small farmers, foragers, and suppliers, create deeply flavourful and aromatic teas and tisanes from Canadian and International ingredients. They are still dedicated to their original cause and donate 20% of their profits to Calgary’s Awo Taan Healing Lodge Society.
![Nada Choufi in food safe garb holding handfuls of chickpeas on her factory floor.](/https/www.sobeys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/MotherMayi_supplier.jpg)
Nada Choufi from MotherMayi
As a daughter of a professional chef, food-lover, and mother of three (“four, including her husband”), Nada is always looking for healthy, clean eats that help nourish her family. That’s why her line-up of award-winning vegan hummus dips are preservative and gluten-free. Try her modern flavours, from Roasted Beet to Sweet Potato and Spicy Sriracha Hummus. Happy dipping!
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.
Taylor Chapman and Colleen Cretin from Good Sprit Kombucha
Good Spirit Kombucha is proud to be a female owned and operated business. These two sisters-in-law helm 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!
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.
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.
Amy Nikkel from Adagio Acres
Amy started growing and milling organic oats 10 years ago on her family farm near Lundar with an emphasis on biodiversity and ecological balance. Lately, Amy’s vision has expanded to include small batches of grains and pulses from other local organic farmers. As a result, the Adagio team has grown, too. This all-woman team is now the driving force behind the oats, beans and lentils that find their way to porridge pots and soup bowls across the province.
Jenna Cadorath from Bonbon Bark
Bonbon Bark was established in 2018 by owner, Jenna Cadorath who leveraged her background in fine dining and restaurant management into the handcrafted chocolate company she runs today. Not only is she an entrepreneur, Jenna is also a devoted wife and mother of two children. Her two bonbon flavours, "Birthday Bash" and "Tasty Turtle" are fast becoming fan favourites, with more flavours to follow.
Mary McLean from Happy Dance Hummus
As a high school music teacher, Mary’s homemade hummus was always the first item devoured by her students at every year-end party, and everywhere else she offered it. When an international student burst into a happy dance with his first taste, it was clearly time to brand it and get it out there! Demand for her six fresh, unique, award-winning flavours quickly spread from farmers’ markets to stores, in and beyond Manitoba. Vegan and gluten free, Mary’s hummus is delicious for dipping, spreading, snacking and transforming recipes.
Ontario
Margaret Coons from Nuts for Cheese
Nuts For Cheese was founded in 2015 by vegan chef, Margaret Coons, at a farmer’s market stand in London, Ontario. Widely recognized as Canada’s market leader in artisan plant-based dairy, Nuts For Cheese produces Organic and Dairy Free cashew based cheese and butter in delicious varieties like “Un-Brie-Lievable” and "Black Garlic". As a Women Founded & Led and LGBT+ Certified, Rainbow Registered Supplier, Nuts For Cheese values diversity and strives to foster a workplace environment where people feel comfortable bringing their whole selves to work. Their mission is to spread positive, sustainable change through delicious plant-based food.
Julie Bednarski from Healthy Crunch
Healthy Crunch is a Mississauga based, Women-Owned Business on a mission to innovate your favourite everyday foods making them better-for-you, while still being super delicious. Our products are nutrient dense, being higher in fibre, lower in sugar, and made from whole foods. Our Founder, Julie Bednarski is a Registered Dietitian and Trained chef, is responsible for creating all our Healthy Crunch products.
Tara Tomulka, Megan Loach Tomulka, and Laura Powadiuk from Rawcology Inc.
Rawcology is a Toronto based family owned and female founded company on a mission to empower everyone to live healthier and happier lives, through healthy eating. Rawcology’s organic, plant-based, allergy friendly and low sugar Oat Clusters, Grain Free Granolas and Coconut Chips are not your typical snacks - more flavour, more nutrition, the highest quality ingredients. Rawcology makes it easy to see, feel and taste the difference that truly healthy and delicious eating makes to your health and happiness.
Natacha Rey from Lemon Aide
Lemon Aide was developed in the kitchen of Natacha Rey, an Oakville based mom looking to fill a need in her own home for a safe, natural, high quality and high performance cleaner. Unsatisfied with the options available, she started making her own formula that promoted joy and well-being — for the person using it and for the entire household, thus creating the best selling All-Surface Cleaner. Through the use of pure lemon essential oils, Natacha developed a cleaning line that was non-toxic, ammonia free, kid and pet friendly, a product that offered therapeutic benefits - breathing in the smell of pure lemon essential oil is both uplifting and invigorating. It's cleaning that makes you happy!
Jessica Praskey from Black River Juice
Black River Juice, established in 1979, is a trusted provider of cold pressed, premium fruit juices. Our juices are completely natural and made from the finest ingredients available, which are sourced locally when possible. We have been working with Canadian farmers for generations! We are 100% female owned and our team takes great pride in producing pure, clean labels juices for our customers across Canada. We also believe in reducing the amount of single use plastic, which is why we have always packed our juice in glass bottles.
Ana Stevens from Pepper North Artisan Foods
It has been said that from humble beginnings come great things. This rings especially true at Pepper North Artisan Foods, where Ana Stevens and team have been crafting delicious hot sauces since 2013. With a flair for creativity and a passion for innovation, our products have grown from our hometown of Oshawa to rave reviews across Canada and beyond. Featuring a clean label composed of locally produced, whole, all natural ingredients, we saw a massive gap in Canadian grocery stores shelf. Painstakingly developing recipes focused on flavour-first; using interesting hot pepper varieties paired with unique ingredients, we brought our sauces to the Canadian market with booming success.
Richa Gupta from Good Food for Good
Good Food for Good was founded in 2017 by entrepreneur and mother Richa Gupta with a mission to make it easy for everyone to eat well and do good, especially on busy nights. Her products are made with organic ingredients, and as a certified B Corp, they are committed to making a difference in food security through our "Buy One Feed One" mission that has resulted in over 1 Million meals being donated to people in need.*Available at select Sobeys and via Voila in the GTA only.
Jessica Dumont Nadeau and Julia Clauser from Gldn Hour
Wanting to shift the perception of beauty to nourishing our bodies from the inside out, Jessica and Julia developed a product in 2020 that could also make women feel confident, by making their daily collagen intake easy. Gldn Hour is a refreshing and tasty beverage with no sugar, that contains marine collagen. It’s like taking a sip of self-care!*Available at select Sobeys and via Voila in the GTA only.
Lola Adeyemi from It's Souper
Lola, a Nigerian Canadian Immigrant, launched her Food & Beverage Company “It’s Souper” which currently produces Afro-Fusion Soups & Sauces. She felt there was a need to fill the void in the mainstream retail space for African inspired/ethnic recipes made “By Us for All”. Her brand is one of the first African & Black owned line of soups sold in mainstream Canadian retail and was nominated by the Retail Council of Canada for a Best New Product of the Year Award in 2019. Congrats, Lola!
Stephanie Dunn from Beat the Wheat
At Beat the Wheat, Stephanie and her team take great pride in crafting gourmet, gluten-free products that use quality, wholesome, local ingredients in Canada. Founded in 2010, Beat the Wheat features an ever-expanding line of products ranging from fresh, gluten-free pasta, to butter tarts and beyond.
Azra Zahirovic from Real Sweets
After suffering a health scare, Azra made the decision to follow her dreams and share her love of local, so she started selling hand-made pies using natural, locally-sourced ingredients. Her mission to be among the best has paid off, and she’s been in such high demand that she’s expanded and can now be found on grocery store shelves.
Nancy Chapman from Sapsucker
Started on her family farm in the heart of the Beaver Valley in 2015, founder Nancy Chapman works with farmers to support sustainable forest management, and to up the ante in the beverage world. Unexpectely refreshing and one-of-a-kind delicious, Sapsucker is organic sparkling tree water with no added sugar. Lightly carbonated with a 'subtle bubble', Sapsucker is naturally hydrating and harvested from Canadian maple trees. It’s super however it’s served, with spirits or on its own! Sip and enjoy!*Available at select Sobeys and via Voila in the GTA only.
New Brunswick
Ashley and Devon McConnell-Gordon from Benjamin Bridge
Twin sisters and polar opposites, Benjamin Bridge co-owners, Ashley and Devon McConnell-Gordon took over operations of the Nova Scotia winery from their parents in 2009 for a 6-month stint that has evolved into a challenging, fulfilling pursuit. With their respective backgrounds in law and architecture, the sisters meticulously grew Benjamin Bridge from a micro-boutique project into an acclaimed sparkling wine house with a collective, family-like team of 50+. As stewards of unceded Mi'kmaq lands located in Mi’kma’ki, Ashley and Devon are passionate today about building an inclusive, dynamic, and long-lasting agritourism business in rural Nova Scotia.
Karen Campbell from Pure Raw
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. I believe in natural nutrition, keeping it local and the power of community.”
Deb Coleman from Libra Non-Alcoholic Craft Beer
Launched in 2020, Libra was inspired by the need for finding balance. The more Deb Coleman and team looked, the more they realized that there wasn’t a non alcoholic craft beer that tasted like the real thing, so they decided to make their own. After 2 years of research and development, Libra Non Alcoholic Craft Beer was born with the feeling of drinking a craft beer and none of the alcohol (and only 30 calories!).
Lindsay Linkletter from COWS Creamery
PEI, family-owned business COWS is renowned for its award-winning cheddars, butters and ice creams. Director of Sales, Lindsay Linkletter is part of that family heritage and proud of their latest creation: Moo Crisps. These are a new, tasty, oven-baked cheddar cheese snack made with COWS Creamery award-winning cheese (of course!).
Shikha Sobti from 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 the Moncton Chamber of Commerce. Congrats Shikha and team!
Stefanie Loukes from Rabbittown Beverage Co.
Founder Stefanie Loukes, is a graduate from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Interdisciplinary Design and worked for 10 years in sales and marketing for four reputable craft beer companies throughout Atlantic Canada. She is a lady-daddy to toddler twins, is a board member for Fredericton’s Arts and Culture Board, and volunteers for women’s shelters and LGBTQ+ initiatives. They create, hand-crafted alternatives to traditional ready-to-drink iced teas believing tea can be more than just a drink. All the drinks are made with the same high standards: organic, raw & unpasteurized, non-GMO, gluten-free & vegan.
Carina Lin from Moose Bell Candy
Moose Bell Products was founded in 2016 after Carina and husband Yuying visited a maple forest and were touched by the lifelong dream of a forest keeper wanting a new truck. The experience opened their eyes to the struggles maple farmers face despite multiple generations devoting themselves to the land. Deciding farmers deserve better, they choose to use locally sourced ingredients such as Grade A maple syrup to produce a range of all-natural hard candies, iconic Canadian souvenirs and kid-friendly, parent-approved treats.
Courtney Orser from 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 presto – you have a homemade family meal, made easy.
Tracy Bell from Millennia 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 5 times 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.
Nova Scotia
Ashley and Devon McConnell-Gordon from Benjamin Bridge
Twin sisters and polar opposites, Benjamin Bridge co-owners, Ashley and Devon McConnell-Gordon took over operations of the Nova Scotia winery from their parents in 2009 for a 6-month stint that has evolved into a challenging, fulfilling pursuit. With their respective backgrounds in law and architecture, the sisters meticulously grew Benjamin Bridge from a micro-boutique project into an acclaimed sparkling wine house with a collective, family-like team of 50+. As stewards of unceded Mi'kmaq lands located in Mi’kma’ki, Ashley and Devon are passionate today about building an inclusive, dynamic, and long-lasting agritourism business in rural Nova Scotia.
Karen Campbell from Pure Raw
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. I believe in natural nutrition, keeping it local and the power of community.”
Shivani Dhamija from Shivani’s Ready to Eat Meals
Shivani’s Kitchen was established in 2014 when Shivani Dhamija recognized an opportunity to fill a gap in supplying Indian style home cooked food. Initially established as an Indian food meal delivery service, the business grew into Indian food cooking classes in 2015 and the following year, to the launch of Shivani’s own Indian cooking spice blends. These products allowed the company to enter the wholesale marketplace with Pete’s Frootique in 2016 and Sobeys in 2019.
Deb Coleman from Libra Non-Alcoholic Craft Beer
Launched in 2020, Libra was inspired by the need for finding balance. The more Deb Coleman and team looked, the more they realized that there wasn’t a non alcoholic craft beer that tasted like the real thing, so they decided to make their own. After 2 years of research and development, Libra Non Alcoholic Craft Beer was born with the feeling of drinking a craft beer and none of the alcohol (and only 30 calories!).
Lindsay Linkletter from COWS Creamery
PEI, family-owned business COWS is renowned for its award-winning cheddars, butters and ice creams. Director of Sales, Lindsay Linkletter is part of that family heritage and proud of their latest creation: Moo Crisps. These are a new, tasty, oven-baked cheddar cheese snack made with COWS Creamery award-winning cheese (of course!).
Courtney Orser from Falavory
A mother of three, Courtney Orser always felt rushed in the kitchen and unable to prepare the kind of healthy, flavourful meals she'd be proud to serve. That’s why she developed Falavory- a company that handcrafts gourmet soup seasoning blends so you can get dinner on the table in a hurry. She's perfected the spice profile, so all you have to do is add your family’s favourite protein, produce, and presto – you have a homemade family meal, made easy.
Leigh MacFarlane from The Soap Co of Nova Scotia
Made with salt water from our pristine Eastern Shore, these plastic-free 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 non-latex allergy reactive.
Brittany and Courtney from Circle & Wick Candle Co.
Circle & Wick Candle Company was established in November 2018 when best friends Brittany and Courtney sparked an interest in starting a side hustle. They began designing in their Dartmouth homes while sipping licorice root tea, and the result is a line of 100% soy candles with a minimalist design and three original scents: Morning Light, Lavender & Sage, and Forest.
Sarah deSchiffert from Big Cove Foods
With a focus on unique, high-quality ingredients and bold, inspirational flavours, Sarah, and her husband Dave, have created versatile spice blends that let you make anything you want – and make it amazing. Thanks to their ever-growing desire to bring sustainability and positive social impact into their product line, the products are processed and packaged locally with a focus on recyclable packaging.
Tracy Ferguson from Mama T's Protein Cookies
As a mother of four, Tracy struggled find nutritious snacks her kids wanted to eat, so found her own healthy snacking solution, and spent hours refining the perfect recipe for nutritious cookies her kids love. They’re perfect for kids and parents on-the-go, athletes, and healthy snackers looking for tasty ways to fuel their day.
Anna Hutchinson from Hutchinson Acres
Hutchinson Acres is proud to have become one of Canada’s premier family-owned maple syrup producers. Chris and Anna now own and lease over 750 acres of well-managed forest, have more than 60,000 taps, and produce more than 75,000 litres of maple syrup every year.
Catherine Keeler from Blue Harbour Cheese
Blue Harbour Cheese is an artisanal cheese producer founded in 2013 by Lyndell Findlay specializing in hand-crafted European-style cheeses, based in Dartmouth Nova Scotia. Blue Harbour Cheese's Head Cheesemaker and Production Manager, Catherine Keeler works alongside Findlay, bringing passion, a keen voice for innovation, and a deep understanding of the science and art of cheesemaking to the development of BHC’s product range. A native of Nova Scotia, Catherine returned from France in 2017 after developing extensive experience and technical knowledge of classic French cheeses.
Prince Edward Island
Ashley and Devon McConnell-Gordon from Benjamin Bridge
Twin sisters and polar opposites, Benjamin Bridge co-owners, Ashley and Devon McConnell-Gordon took over operations of the Nova Scotia winery from their parents in 2009 for a 6-month stint that has evolved into a challenging, fulfilling pursuit. With their respective backgrounds in law and architecture, the sisters meticulously grew Benjamin Bridge from a micro-boutique project into an acclaimed sparkling wine house with a collective, family-like team of 50+. As stewards of unceded Mi'kmaq lands located in Mi’kma’ki, Ashley and Devon are passionate today about building an inclusive, dynamic, and long-lasting agritourism business in rural Nova Scotia.
Karen Campbell from Pure Raw
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. I believe in natural nutrition, keeping it local and the power of community.”
Deb Coleman from Libra Non-Alcoholic Craft Beer
Launched in 2020, Libra was inspired by the need for finding balance. The more Deb Coleman and team looked, the more they realized that there wasn’t a non alcoholic craft beer that tasted like the real thing, so they decided to make their own. After 2 years of research and development, Libra Non Alcoholic Craft Beer was born with the feeling of drinking a craft beer and none of the alcohol (and only 30 calories!).
Lindsay Linkletter from COWS Creamery
PEI, family-owned business COWS is renowned for its award-winning cheddars, butters and ice creams. Director of Sales, Lindsay Linkletter is part of that family heritage and proud of their latest creation: Moo Crisps. These are a new, tasty, oven-baked cheddar cheese snack made with COWS Creamery award-winning cheese (of course!).
Courtney Orser from Falavory
A mother of three, Courtney Orser always felt rushed in the kitchen and unable to prepare the kind of healthy, flavourful meals she'd be proud to serve. That’s why she developed Falavory- a company that handcrafts gourmet soup seasoning blends so you can get dinner on the table in a hurry. She's perfected the spice profile, so all you have to do is add your family’s favourite protein, produce, and presto – you have a homemade family meal, made easy.
Julain Molnar from Fresh Start Faumage
With a passion for creating the most luxurious dairy-free cheese you can buy, Fresh Start Fauxmage is all about delivering serious comfort through flavours and textures that pair well with just about any dish you can dream up.
Jordan McIntyre from Mary Manette Seafood
Jordan McIntyre is the owner and founder of Prince Edward Island based artisanal seafood company, Mary Manette Seafood, that specializes in gourmet, ready-to-eat Canadian seafood. Over 100 years ago, Jordan's great-grandmother, Mary Manette rode through the night on horse and wagon to sell her fresh herring and clams at the Halifax Farmers Market. It is this family legacy of female entrepreneurship in the seafood industry that Mary Manette Seafood is proud to celebrate. Find Mary Manette's Wild Nova Scotia Herring, Smoked Canadian Mussels, and Lemon Horseradish Seacuterie Sauce in a Sobeys near you!
Newfoundland & Labrador
Karen Campbell from Pure Raw
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. I believe in natural nutrition, keeping it local and the power of community.”
Deb Coleman from Libra Non-Alcoholic Craft Beer
Launched in 2020, Libra was inspired by the need for finding balance. The more Deb Coleman and team looked, the more they realized that there wasn’t a non alcoholic craft beer that tasted like the real thing, so they decided to make their own. After 2 years of research and development, Libra Non Alcoholic Craft Beer was born with the feeling of drinking a craft beer and none of the alcohol (and only 30 calories!).
Lisa Walsh from Indigena Skin Care
Lisa Walsh founded Indigena to create sustainable, exceptional, affordable skincare from botanical ingredients native to Newfoundland. Given that this is one of the world's most remote and clean eco-sytems, it's no surprise that Indigena grows, forages, hand harvests and produces their products on the island. Their goal: combine nature with scientific research and innovation to create products naturally rich in powerful antioxidants to promote healthier skin without compromising the environment.
Lindsay Linkletter from COWS Creamery
PEI, family-owned business COWS is renowned for its award-winning cheddars, butters and ice creams. Director of Sales, Lindsay Linkletter is part of that family heritage and proud of their latest creation: Moo Crisps. These are a new, tasty, oven-baked cheddar cheese snack made with COWS Creamery award-winning cheese (of course!).
Darlene Hiscock from Trinity Bake Shop
Supplying local Sobeys stores since 2018, Trinity Bake Shop quickly became a customer favourite. Based in Trinity, NL, Trinity Bake Shop items can be found throughout the Avalon Peninsula. Owner, Darlene Hiscock, offers a wide variety of baked goods including sweets, breads, and seasonal Newfoundland favourites such as partridgeberry tarts and pies, and boiled raisin loaves