Category: food & beverages

Pumpkin Kart is a Toronto-based on-demand delivery service that specializes in ethnic food and groceries, primarily catering to South Asian and Middle Eastern communities in Canada. Founded in 2020, the company aims to bridge accessibility gaps for culturally specific products through its digital platform.

The services offered include food delivery from local restaurants, focusing on quality and affordability, as well as grocery delivery that provides access to hard-to-find ingredients. Pumpkin Kart operates a user-friendly app and website, making it convenient for customers seeking authentic ethnic food experiences. While currently focused on Toronto, the company has the potential for expansion to serve broader Canadian markets.

Pumpkin Kart emphasizes fair pricing and accessibility, helping to overcome financial and logistical barriers for its customers. The company also supports local restaurants and suppliers, reflecting its mission to democratize access to ethnic foods.

Tailored Food is a Canadian nonprofit organization focused on building sustainable food systems that provide nutritious and affordable food products to families living in extreme poverty, primarily in Africa and Latin America. Founded by Taylor Quinn, the organization operates as a social enterprise consultancy, partnering with local entrepreneurs to develop and scale food products that address malnutrition and hunger.

The mission of Tailored Food is to eradicate hunger and malnutrition by empowering grassroots food entrepreneurs. They collaborate with local farmers and businesses to design culturally relevant food products, utilizing deep research to understand local preferences. Their services include consulting, product development, and capacity building, with a focus on supporting women-led businesses. Tailored Food has successfully sold over 6.8 million meals and operates in 18 African countries and two in Latin America, making a significant impact on food security in underserved communities.

Canada’s Best Price Food Handler Course. Over 50,000 Canadians have been certified using the SafeCheck Advanced Canadian Food Safety Certification course.

Lil E Coffee Cafe is a not-for-profit social enterprise located in Calgary and Toronto. Founded in 2021 by Paul Constance, the cafe aims to create employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Inspired by his daughter Ella, who has Down syndrome, the cafe addresses systemic employment barriers faced by this community.

The cafe operates as a vocational training program lasting 18 to 24 months, providing employees with barista training, customer service experience, and support for workplace integration. After completing the program, employees receive assistance in transitioning to permanent roles in their fields of interest. Lil E Coffee Cafe emphasizes dignity, inclusion, and skill-building, while also encouraging broader employer participation in disability-inclusive hiring.

The cafe serves standard coffee-shop fare, including espresso-based beverages and likely baked goods or light snacks. It targets socially conscious consumers who appreciate its mission-driven approach. With a reported infectious positivity among staff, Lil E Coffee Cafe is committed to reducing unemployment among adults with developmental disabilities and serves as a model for inclusive employment practices.

Troubled Monk creates craft beverages including beer, soda, canned cocktails and spirits. A family owned business located in Red Deer, Alberta, Troubled Monk is continually looking to find the perfect recipe – and have already found quite a few! Come by our rustic taproom, enjoy the friendly atmosphere and great libations. Open 7 days a week. Family friendly.

Good Sunday is a premium ready-to-drink alcohol brand founded in 2019 by childhood friends Christian Karayannides and Dylan Corson. Based in Toronto, Canada, the company produces “better-for-you” alcoholic beverages using clean ingredients and real spirits, with a focus on health-conscious consumers.

The brand’s flagship product is a line of vodka sodas made with real vodka, natural flavors, and low sugar content. These lightly flavored options feature transparent labeling and avoid synthetic additives, all presented in distinctive, minimalist packaging that highlights their premium quality. Good Sunday targets consumers who prioritize ingredient transparency and seek low-calorie, low-sugar options without sacrificing taste.

Good Sunday has partnered with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits for distribution in the U.S., launching initially in California. The company successfully closed a $1 million Series A funding round in 2021, supporting its growth and expansion into new markets.

Des breuvages innovants brassés à partir de fruits frais invendus.

Arctic Gardens Food Service is a division of Nortera Foods that specializes in high-quality frozen and canned vegetable products tailored for foodservice operations. Established in 1987, the brand focuses on providing efficient, fresh, and versatile culinary solutions for commercial kitchens. In 2023, Arctic Gardens underwent a rebranding to highlight its commitment to “Nordic Freshness” and nutritional preservation through innovative freezing methods.

The product range includes frozen vegetable blends, pre-cooked grains and legumes, and ready-to-use canned vegetables, all designed for quick preparation. Arctic Gardens also offers services such as recipe development with professionally scaled recipes and resource guides that include brochures and instructional videos. The brand targets foodservice professionals, including restaurants and cafeterias, emphasizing time efficiency and consistency while appealing to health-conscious consumers and families looking for nutritious meal options.

Vitasoy North America Inc. is a subsidiary of Vitasoy International Holdings Limited, based in Hong Kong. Founded in 1940, the company specializes in distributing plant-based beverages and desserts, with a focus on health and sustainability. Its North American headquarters is located in Woburn, Massachusetts, while it also has a presence in North York, Ontario, Canada.

The Vitasoy brand is well-known for its high-protein soy drinks and has expanded to include a variety of other plant-based beverages. The VITA brand complements this with a selection of ready-to-drink teas and additional beverage options. Vitasoy North America targets health-conscious consumers and families who are interested in nutritious and environmentally friendly products, promoting a lifestyle centered around sustainability. The company employs between 201 and 500 people and generates revenue in the range of $5 million to $20 million.

Mother Raw is a plant-based food company based in North York, Ontario, specializing in organic, non-GMO dressings, dips, and condiments. Founded in 2016, the company evolved from RawFoodz, a home-kitchen venture started by Michelle Kopman in 2011. After a rebranding effort led by CEO Kristi Knowles, Mother Raw expanded its market reach to include health-conscious eaters, while maintaining a commitment to clean, allergen-free ingredients.

The product line features a variety of dressings and marinades, such as Lemon Garlic and Ranch, as well as plant-based dips like Queso and Nacho. All products are crafted from raw, organic components and free from common allergens and artificial additives. Mother Raw aims to make plant-based eating convenient and delicious, appealing to vegans, health-conscious consumers, and those with dietary restrictions. The company’s products are available in the refrigerated produce sections of select grocery stores across North America.