The Canadian Pantry: Fine Local Staples & Provisions
From storied city markets and heritage mills to grass-to-glass dairy, source the independent producers and family-run farms defining the new standard of Canadian kitchen staples.
Arva Flour Mill & Store
Natural heritage flour, in-store or shipped to your door, from non-GMO wheat grown by small nearby farms.
This is one of North America’s oldest continuously operating water-powered commercial flour mills, established in 1819. They produce three different flours using antique cold roller mills. No bleach or enhancers make natural flours more perishable than commercially altered flours. 100% Whole Wheat, All-Purpose, and Pastry Flour are perfect for piecrusts, cookies, and biscuits.
Owned and operated by the fourth generation of the Scott family, The Mill House Bakery in Arva, Ontario, offers delicious artisan breads and a vast array of organic, local products.
Photo credit above: The Kitchen Fairy
Ozery Family Bakery
Alternative bread products made from hearty whole grains, fruits and seeds are available at stores nationwide.
From the original sandwich shop in Toronto and a search for a real and flavourful sliced bread alternative, brothers Alon and Guy Ozery refined a truly unique and delicious product.
Ingredients are handpicked and taste-tested for great flavour. Pitas, OneBun and Morning Rounds can be taken from the freezer and thawed at room temperature in about 30 minutes, or popped in the toaster or oven (400°F) for about a minute for fresh-baked flavour and texture. Freshly baked breads are sold by the case (6 bags) and include free 2-day shipping across the country.
St. Lawrence Market
Major public fresh food market at Jarvis & Front in Toronto.
Get to know the merchants and farmers, be inspired by locally produced products, and sample new foods and traditions from across Toronto’s vibrant cultural tapestry.
Since 1803, the Market has been a community anchor offering products and services to the neighbourhood and Toronto overall.
The Complex today comprises three main buildings with over 120 specialty vendors, known for the variety and freshness of their fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, grains, baked goods, dairy products and unique companion food items.
Foodiepages
Delicious Gift Boxes created with distinctive goods from over 100 Canadian food makers, bakers and chefs.
Pre-built or custom care packages, locally-curated gift boxes, and virtual event packs filled with premium goods from local vendors across Canada. Build your own unique care package for your occasion, delivered to your door.
Erin Maynes founded the business to help keep people connected and spread some unexpected joy with gift boxes filled with healthy snacks, soy candles, unpasteurized wildflower honey, handcrafted maplewood kitchen tools, Artisan chocolate bars, and Ontario organic sparkling wine.
Fraktals @ Gatté Treats
Handmade Belgian Chocolate Cashew Buttercrunch with Canadian maple syrup.
Shop 375g to 100g bags, gift boxes for special occasions or corporate events.
A buttercrunch core, featuring pure organic maple syrup from Blanc’s maple grove in Notre-Dame-des-Bois, in between two layers of Belgian chocolate; finished with a sprinkle of raw cashew pieces and 70% dark chocolate.
Haven Greens
This 55-year family farming legacy lays the foundation for fresh, clean and ready-to-eat greens.
CEO & Founder Jay Willmot, inspired by sustainability and food security, envisions a better solution—fully automated, pesticide-free greens grown right here in King City, Ontario.
Leafy greens are grown in a fully enclosed, cutting-edge technology greenhouse, with minimal human contact and zero exposure to outside contaminants. That means you can enjoy them straight from the package.
Made with Local
Organic, gluten-free snacks, plant-based protein energy bars and Protein Nut Butter Cookies are made from real ingredients sourced from local farmers.
A commitment to sourcing as many of the ingredients locally as possible was an obsession for Founder Sheena Russell when she worked from her home kitchen, refining these tasty, sustainable snacks over 10 years ago.
Now with its own 8,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Windsor, Nova Scotia, the company works with farmers across the country and is available in grocery stores coast to coast.
Bluegroves Farms
Seven distinct varieties of organic blueberries (fresh and wholesale), and a wide array of artisanal baked goods.
Nestled on a scenic 63-acre property in West Lorne, Ontario, the farm is a testament to the enduring legacy of organic agriculture. Originally established in 1983, the farm is now led by residents Victoria Spencer and Michel St. Germain.
During the peak summer months of July and August, the farm transforms into a community hub where visitors can hand-pick their own fresh berries. Beyond the fields, the Bluegroves Bakery offers a decadent farm-to-table experience, turning their organic harvest into everything from blueberry cheesecakes and smoothies to their signature yogurt pound cake and zucchini bread. While the farm is a beloved local destination, its reach extends province-wide; through its wholesale and distribution network, Bluegroves’ organic berries can be found at participating Foodland Ontario stores.
Sheldon Creek Dairy & Farm Store
A family dedicated to the health of their land and the quality of their craft in the heart of Simcoe County.
Located in the rolling hills of Loretto, Ontario, Sheldon Creek Dairy offers minimally processed whole milk, A2 milk, chocolate & flavoured milks, Greek-style yogurt, kefir, and sour cream. While the den Haan family has been farming this land since 1953, the dairy was launched in 2012 with a mission to bring milk directly from their herd of purebred Holsteins to the community. By processing their milk right on the farm, they ensure a level of freshness and traceability that is rare in modern agriculture.
The farm is also a leader in A2 milk production, offering a more digestible option for those with dairy sensitivities. Beyond the bottle, their Farm Store has become a destination for food lovers, featuring their award-winning yogurts and “cow-to-cone” ice cream, alongside artisanal products from fellow Ontario makers.
Related:
Toronto Neighbourhood Food Stores & Catering