Before Made with Local was a brand, what was happening in your own life that drew you toward real food and local ingredients?
The first ideas of Made with Local were really just a creative outlet. I have always been a ‘foodie’ and come from a farming family in PEI. My friends and I were always looking for cleaner alternatives than the energy bar options on shelf in 2012 and I realized there was a space to create something there.
You started by making bars in your home kitchen and selling them at a farmers market. What stands out most from those early days?
It was a hustle. I was balancing a full time job and running this business on evenings and weekends. But looking back it was such a wholesome, simple and exciting time! I knew the farmers I was sourcing from, made every bar by hand, and met customers face-to-face at the market. That connection between food, people, and place still guides Made with Local today. We’re proudly vertically integrated from working directly with our farmers, manufacturing every product ourselves, and delivering it to trusted retailers and customers across Canada.
As Made with Local has grown, what’s something you’ve been intentional about holding onto?
Our values. We believe that every dollar we spend is a vote for the world we want to live in - this goes for businesses, too. We’ve stayed committed to integrity, community, and proudly sourcing ingredients from Canadian family farms. Being B Corp certified helps ensure growth never comes at the expense of people or the planet.
You work closely with Canadian family farms. How have those relationships shaped your view of food?
Knowing the farmers behind our ingredients changes everything. It reminds me that food is a relationship, not a commodity, and that supporting Canadian farms strengthens our food system and local communities. We source organic honey from 3 farmers across Canada, Regenerative Organic oats from the prairies, even the organic pea protein we use is made with Canadian-grown peas.
Are there any simple routines that help you stay grounded?
This is an area I could improve upon for sure - but staying active, cooking with friends and family, and spending as much time in nature as possible keeps me feeling centred with myself and my community.
What does the idea that a healthier planet grows healthier people mean to you right now?
It means our choices matter. By caring for the land and sourcing responsibly from Canada, we’re supporting both planetary health and human well-being. Now and for future generations.