Latest news with #AshaWheeldon
Edmonton Journal
9 hours ago
- Business
- Edmonton Journal
'Buy Canadian': Here are 6 of the best homegrown condiment brands
Article content One of them is a dramatic example of how the 'Buy Canadian' movement can change the trajectory of a small business overnight. Most have experienced a boost in sales and are finding grocery buyers more receptive because of the rise of patriotic consumerism. All are available Canada-wide at retailers or via their websites. The condiment market is growing. With customers increasingly seeking out ' bold, international tastes,' it's only expected to expand. A dab of mustard, a dash of hot sauce or a drizzle of chili oil can make the difference between a ho-hum meal and a phenomenal one. These producers reflect the diversity of Canada's communities, whether expressing their heritage through flavour or creating something wholly new from homegrown ingredients. 'I'm loving how Canadians are recognizing all of the things that are available in our home,' says Asha Wheeldon, founder and CEO of Vancouver's KULA Foods. 'We have so many brands. We have so much richness of ingredients grown in Alberta, in B.C., and across Canada that we have access to.'
National Post
10 hours ago
- Business
- National Post
'Buy Canadian': Here are 6 of the best homegrown condiment brands
The 'Buy Canadian' movement is stronger than ever. Seven in ten seek homegrown products when they shop (68 per cent, up five points from February), and more than half look at labels to avoid items made in the United States, according to a Narrative Research poll. Article content Proving that shopping local is no sacrifice, from innovative ways to slash sugar and sodium to time-honoured traditions, these six Canadian condiment companies make meals more delicious. Article content Article content Article content One of them is a dramatic example of how the 'Buy Canadian' movement can change the trajectory of a small business overnight. Most have experienced a boost in sales and are finding grocery buyers more receptive because of the rise of patriotic consumerism. All are available Canada-wide at retailers or via their websites. Article content Article content A dab of mustard, a dash of hot sauce or a drizzle of chili oil can make the difference between a ho-hum meal and a phenomenal one. These producers reflect the diversity of Canada's communities, whether expressing their heritage through flavour or creating something wholly new from homegrown ingredients. Article content 'I'm loving how Canadians are recognizing all of the things that are available in our home,' says Asha Wheeldon, founder and CEO of Vancouver's KULA Foods. 'We have so many brands. We have so much richness of ingredients grown in Alberta, in B.C., and across Canada that we have access to.' Article content Article content Article content Article content From whisky to bean-to-bar chocolate to cheese, many food and drink businesses have seen an uptick in sales since the 'Buy Canadian' movement started gaining momentum in February. What Shenul Williams's condiment business, Aki's Fine Foods, experienced was more than a mere boost — it was a tsunami. Article content In March, Williams talked to her family about possibly having to close her Pickering, Ont.-based company. 'I was just venting,' Williams recalls. '(I said), 'We can't take another whip like we took through COVID, and these tariffs are going to kill us. We can't survive.' Article content 'She's my hero. She's been there for me, thick and thin,' Williams says of Welch. Article content 'My mom has been operating via word of mouth for 38 years, and until I made that post, that's the only real social media presence this company has had,' says Welch, laughing. 'That's how you know her sauces are good because she's been in business for this long.'
