Canadian Women-Owned Food Brands

Add these to your Grocery List Beyond March

Our earliest food memories are often of our moms’ and grandmothers’. And though the task of cooking is often related to “woman’s work” in the home, the Canadian culinary game is lead by men – except when it comes to the pastry world where women typically shine.

Though we deserve to be celebrated 365 days a year, Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day are typical reminders of how far we’ve come, yet of how much we still need to do to reach gender equity. We could be angry at the disparity in the number of female vs male chefs in Canada, and share our disappointment about the dramatic difference in roles with 70 percent of women occupying lower-ranking positions (and lower-paying jobs) compared to their male counterparts in the hospitality industry. 

With the arrival of the Michelin Guide, we could point out the underrepresentation of female chefs leading star-studded establishments on the Toronto list… but we won’t be doing that. Instead, we will vote with our wallets, purposely opting to eat at female chef-driven restaurants and making a point to buy from women-powered food brands at the supermarket. These small steps implemented year-round, are simple yet delicious ways to change the narrative, kick down stereotypes and open doors for the next generation of female trailblazers. Here are just a few of my favourite food brands (with women at their helm) worth buying.