Love food? We do too! So much so that all year round, we love keeping you up to date with some of the best new restaurants and bars that open in our cities across Canada. And so let’s be real, finding THE perfect Christmas gift for that foodie in your life can be a difficult task. So for that, we’ve got a few ideas that can inspire your gifting ideas, and all are from Canadian brands. We’ve compiled a food gift guide made especially for that foodie in your life this holiday season.
From local hot sauces to chocolate for a cause, we love these Canadian brands. Let us take the load off your shoulders this holiday season and take a peek at all the available gifts that can be purchased online.
Les Filles Fattoush
Les Filles Fattoush offers spices, jams, and ready-to-eat products, but they are not just your average Canadian brand. The company employs newly arrived Syrian refugee women, giving them their first work experience in Canada, and helps them integrate into life in Quebec.
Where: Online
No.7 Hot Sauces
If you know someone who enjoys different levels of heat, and hot sauces in general, check out No. 7 Hot Sauces. Not only will it spice up your life, it will support the local community, as all the sauces are made in Ontario.
Where: 1571 Dupont Street, Toronto, or Winners, Homesense, and Loblaws, or Online
Sponsored Pick: Rocky MTN Chocolate
It’s time to get your stocking stuffers because Rocky MTN Chocolate has released their holiday chocolates – and one of them has a very special surprise. If you remember Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, then this will sound familiar.
Keep your eyes peeled for the ‘golden present’ hiding in one of the seasonal chocolate Santas. One lucky winner will find this foil-wrapped golden present with a $1,000 Rocky coupon inside! That’s A LOT of chocolate.
When: Now until December 24, 2023
Where: Canada-wide, not available in Quebec.
Pilot Coffee
Founded in Toronto in 2009, Pilot Coffee was built with its core values of sourcing “ethical, Direct Trade coffee and building transparency in the process from farm to cup.”
It now has 11 branded cafes in Ontario, and their coffee can be purchased directly on their website.
Where: One of their locations in Ontario, or Online
Comeback Snacks
Popcorn for a great cause? Female-owned Comeback Snacks was developed to help make a difference in the lives of people trying to make a comeback, especially those who have made a mistake in the past.”
Comeback Snacks gives “offenders the opportunity and confidence to gain and maintain pro-social employment, keeping the community safer by helping ex-cons refrain from returning to their old ways.”
You can shop different flavours including candy cane!
Where: Select retailers, and online
Salt Spring Kitchen
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Continuing to feature Woman-Owned businesses, we head out west to Salt Spring Kitchen now, whose “wee jam factory represents our commitment to local manufacturing, fostering innovation, and job creation.”
They even have a “Gourmet Gifts for Foodies Who Love to Eat, Cook, and Entertain” page, making selecting a present easy.
Where: Available at select retailers, and online
Salted Co
Know someone who loves to snack? Salted Co are “no ordinary nuts. These almonds are taken to the next level with sophisticated flavour combinations blended to pair perfectly with your favourite drinks. You can choose from Wine, Cheese or cocktail pairing trio gift sets.
Salted fancy cocktail nuts and honey salsas are hand crafted in small batches in Toronto!
Where: Online and at local retailers
Wabanaki Maple
Wabanaki Maple is 100% Indigenous female-owned and located on Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), Wabanaki Maple introduces a tradition that’s shared by many Peoples of the Wabanaki Confederacy; Wolastoqiyik, Mi’kmaq, Penobscot, Abenaki, and Passamaquoddy in their products.
From a chipotle infused maple syrup, to a barrel aged rum maple syrup, there are flavours to excite any maple syrup lover!
Where: Online
Peace by Chocolate
Since Peace By Chocolate was founded at the beginning of 2016, it has become a local fave in Nova Scotia, and now around the world. Besides their chocolate goodies, the company also gives back to communities, through Peace on Earth Society.
Where: Retailers across Canada, and online.
Zing
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Besides offering delicious spices that kick up any dishes, Zing is a Canadian company that is South-Asian owned, Toronto-born and woman-led!
From oomami seasoning salt, to Hakka-ish chili crisp sauce, whoever you gift this to is truly in for a treat!
Where: Online
Lucky Iron fish
Locally founded, Lucky Iron Fish is a cooking tool with a social impact that gives a natural boost of iron into your diet.
Aside from it being as effective as iron pills, a portion of every sale is used to improve the health and wellness of undernourished communities locally and internationally.
Where: Online
Torshee
If your friends or family enjoy pickled food, this one is for them. Founded by a female refugee from Iran, Torshee began in a farmers market, and has since expanded across Nova Scotia.
From beets to “Naughty Pickles”, everything here will be good for the gut.
Where: Select retailers, and online
Balderson Village Cheese
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Meats & cheese, and a perfect charcuterie board, can make anyone’s day. Whether you want to gift select cheeses, or just meats, teas, or jams, Balderson Village Cheese is Ontario-based, and use products from Canadian businesses.
Where: 410 Highway 511, Balderson, Ontario, or online
Klondike Kettle Corn
Up next, we head to Whitehorse for Yukon’s favourite snack, Klondike Kettle Corn. This small batch pop corn producer began at a community market in 2010, and is now in local shops and grocery stores across Canada.
Expect Sweet & Salty flavour, Dill Pickle, and Christmas flavours!
Where: Select retailers, and online
