https://www.loblaw.ca/en/small-supplier/" target="_blank">Loblaw Small Supplier Program breaks down barriers and opens doors for Canadian businesses by stocking over 1000 small suppliers in its stores across the country. The program celebrates the idea that big food innovations often start small — with local creators who pour passion, perseverance, and purpose into everything they make.

Here are four local suppliers with products that are rethinking the snack aisle you should add to your next grocery list.

Healthy Crunch

The founder of Healthy Crunch, Julie Bednarski, is a registered dietitian and trained chef, so you know you’re getting a product that’s actually healthy and actually tastes good.

From spreads to snacks and seeds to superfoods, everything at Healthy Crunch is free of the top 11 food allergens and completely vegan.

“We’re proud to be part of the Loblaw Small Supplier Program, which shares our passion for supporting local and small businesses across Canada,” Bednarski says. “This program helps Canadian entrepreneurs like us bring innovative, better-for-you foods to families nationwide by championing the buy local movement and providing the support needed to navigate the retail landscape.”

Farm Girl

Breakfast cereal can be deceptively (or not-so-deceptively) high in sugar, turning the most important meal of the day into a sugar crash waiting to happen. But Farm Girl is changing the game with a lineup of high-protein, sugar-free cereal for kids and adults alike.

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And it’s good stuff, too. We’re talking Cinnamon Crisps, Chocolate Puffs, Rainbow Hoops, and Honey Os. For Farm Girl, partnering with Loblaw has been “paramount in supporting growth.”

WowButter

When it comes to nut allergies, you don’t want to mess around. While peanut restrictions are not new to most schools, nut replacements have certainly come a long way over the years. WowButter fulfills a need in school lunches with its peanut butter replacement and has recently launched SnackEh, a grab-and-go WowButter and jelly wrap.

The WowButter team says that with the recent introduction of the Loblaw Small Supplier program, they’re hoping to use their increased momentum to accomplish even more great things going forward.

FreeYumm

FreeYumm

This mom-owned business is dedicated to creating delicious, allergen-friendly bites to ensure that no child feels left out at snack time. The current lineup includes crackers, cookies, and bars in all the flavours kids (and adults) already know and love, like double chocolate, blueberry, and banana maple.

“Loblaw has worked with FreeYumm from our earliest stages and was the first to distribute FreeYumm nationally,” owner Sarah Clarke explains. “Ever since, through all of our challenges and innovations, Loblaw has supported our vision in its entirety. The partnership we’ve enjoyed with Loblaw has been essential to our journey.”

FreeYumm

That’s four small suppliers down, 996 to go! What will you discover the next time you’re at the grocery store? Knowing the Loblaw Small Supplier Program, we bet it’ll be high-quality, Canadian-made, and 100 per cent delicious.

Shop the many small suppliers and unique products at your Real Canadian Super Store, No Frills, Loblaws, Fortinos, Zehrs and Your Independent Grocers.

While you’re at it, ask your local manager or owner what their top local suppliers are. You might just find your new favourite product.