Proudly supporting women and women-owned businesses
At IGA, we are committed to making diversity, equity and inclusion part of everything we do. Our local supplier program is a natural extension of this journey towards building an inclusive culture. By supporting women entrepreneurs to grow and scale their businesses, we are bringing greater diversity to our stores, our customers and in helping support the communities we serve. In addition to supporting local suppliers, we also support our franchisee network and recognize the amazing owners that work hard every day to improve their communities. Meet some of the inspirational female store owners behind your local IGA.
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Store Owners
Lorianne Domoney from Blackfalds, Alberta
From hiring local staff to supporting local businesses, sports groups, and schools, Lorianne ensures that her team is working together for the betterment of the community. She also believes in the importance of empowering women by showing them the possibilities they can reach all while nourishing new relationships.
Rhonda Camilleri from Lakeview in Calgary, Alberta
Leading her team through positivity, open communication, and encouragement, Rhonda emphasizes the importance of teamwork and goal setting to better support the needs of the community. Her management team is over 80% female, and she is honoured to work with such an amazing group of women.
Marie Eltom from Banff, Alberta
As a member of the school council and other volunteer committees, Marie strives to be a community leader, supporting innovation by providing opportunities for local entrepreneurs and seeking opportunities to improve both in-store and through volunteer work.
Vendors
Worthy, Calgary, Alberta - Meet Ashlee Steinhauer
Worthy is a Calgary-based jam and preserves company founded by Ashlee Steinhauer. In 2014, Ashlee became passionate about making jam while in a 12-step recovery program. A couple years later, she started to get her zest for life back and decided to focus on making jam full-time. Worthy's jam flavours include Earl Grey Lavender Peach, Strawberry Cardamom, and Vanilla Rhubarb. "These flavours are what make Worthy jams distinct. Our customers enjoy that the jams are not your average jar," says Ashlee. Worthy jams are made without artificial sweeteners, flavours, and colours. They are vegan, gluten-free, and made with natural citrus pectin and organic cane sugar.
Sarjesa Tea, Calgary, Alberta - Meet Alexandra Daignault
Sarjesa Inc, an Alberta based tea company. Sarjesa makes radically tasty tea, using a combination of Canadian and International ingredients. They work alongside small farms, foragers, and suppliers, to create deeply flavourful, aromatic, premium teas and tisanes. Alexandra started this company as a university student as a way to raise awareness of violence towards women, while supporting local violence prevention programming for women in crisis. Today, they donate 20% of their profits to the Awo Taan Healing Lodge Society in Calgary.
MotherMayI, Calgary, Alberta - Meet Nada
Founded here in Calgary Alberta, MotherMayI brings you a modern selection of vibrant hummus dips. For Nada, being a mother of four means that food is their second language. She believes that good food goes a long way in nourishing our bodies. That's why their ingredients are all natural with clean labels. Their healthful, nutrition packed vegan line up of hummus dips includes Original, Roasted Beet, Sweet Potato and Spicy Sriracha Hummus. Dip in and find out why MotherMayI is award-winning and a fan fave in our city. Dip local, eat local, and shop local! Happy hummus dipping!
Confetti Sweets, Sherwood Park , Alberta - Meet Kathy Leskow
Kathy Leskow was a stay-at-home mom with a sweet tooth and big ambitions, so she turned her love for baking into a cookie business that just keeps on growing! She started by selling her totally awesome cookies at local farmers' markets, and before she knew it, she had to secure a storefront to keep up with increasing demand. When you enter our bakery, one of the most common remarks from our customers is how incredible it smells. That's when she had an idea-let's make a cookie mix so that people can bake our delicious cookies in their own homes-filling it with the warmth and aroma that only fresh baked cookies can bring. We are so happy to be able to make baking easier, faster and less messy for all those busy people out there...and don't worry, we don't mind if you take all the credit.
Seven Spice, Calgary, Alberta - Meet Natalia
Natalia grew up eating spicy food thanks to her family's Yugoslavian roots, and her passion for home cooking. One day she was frustrated that she could not find a quality Chili Oil. She and her mother Anna started playing with ingredients in the kitchen, and before you could say the words "chili oil", Seven Spice Chili Oil was created. The number 7 inspires the name, Seven Spice as it was originally made with 7 ingredients. Seven Spice chili oil is available in hot, mild and extra hot.
Adagio Acres, Lundar, Manitoba - Meet Amy
Amy started growing and milling organic oats 10 years ago on her family farm near Lundar Manitoba. From farming practices that emphasize biodiversity and ecological balance, to using a variety of "naked" oats that can be milled into flakes with a smaller carbon imprint, sustainability has always been top of mind. In the past few years, the vision has expanded to include milling small batches of grains and pulses from organic farmers across Manitoba to help reduce food waste and support other organic farmers. As a result, the Adagio team has grown as well, welcoming Michelle and Rachel to run machinery, maintain the facility, implement the food safety plan, and put a stop to Amy's haphazard approach to fixing every problem with duct tape. This all-woman team is now the driving force behind the oats, beans and lentils that find their way to porridge pots and soup bowls across the province
Bonbon Bark, Manitoba - Meet Jenna Cadorath
Bonbon Bark was established in 2018 by owner, Jenna Cadorath. Jenna has a background in fine dining and restaurant management. Not only an entrepreneur, Jenna is also a devoted wife and mother of two children. Jenna's handcrafted chocolate treats are quickly becoming a favorite for many! Both flavours, "Birthday Bash" and "Tasty Turtle" are now available on many store shelves! We can't wait to see what other flavours will be in store!
Elman's, Winnipeg, Manitoba - Meet Millie
Elman's, a Kosher Company in Winnipeg is a family-owned business since 1938 and was founded by Samuel Finkleman and later passed down to his son Manny. In 2004 the Patriarch of the company , Manny , passed away , leaving the business to Millie. Along with their daughter Payton, they worked hard to keep the business intact and viable. With little-to-no experience, they have managed to succeed in their journey and are now well-positioned to flourish throughout Western Canada, selling their products. Quality products, great service and branding , are what they believe, have been the key to their success. Manny's image on all our labels is a testimony to his legacy for generations to come.
Happy Dance Hummus, Manitoba - Meet Mary
As a high school music teacher, Mary's homemade hummus was always the first item devoured by her students at every year end party - and everywhere else she brought it. When an international student burst into a happy dance with his first taste, it was clearly time to brand it and get it out there! Demand for her six fresh, unique and award winning flavours quickly spread from farmers' markets to stores, in and beyond Manitoba. Vegan and gluten free, Mary's hummus is delicious for dipping, spreading, snacking and transforming recipes. A great combination of healthy and happy!
Juice Me, Manitoba - Meet Agata Robb
Juice Me is a small Winnipeg based business that is owned and operated by mom of two, Agata Robb. Her mission is to offer convenient access to all natural Super Shots that can be consumed in a variety of ways. The ingredients in the shots are simply juiced in a cold pressed method or added in their natural form, creating healthy concentrated shots that are frozen and easy to use. The Super Shots can be added to hot water, cold flat / sparkling water, or defrosted and shot straight - you can choose to Sip, Mix, Dilute or Blend!
June & Jo Spice Company, Thunder Bay, Ontario - Meet Katie Porobic and Audry Gavin
June & Jo Spice Co is a woman owned and operated spice blending company located in Thunder Bay, ON. Katie Porobic and Audry Gavin launched their new business in 2021 and have seen incredible demand for their products in less than a year. Their Texas Original spice blend and Texas Crispy coating mix offer a unique blend of flavours, geared for cooks of any skill level. The pair credit much of their success to the support they've received from their families and local community.
Shumka Dust, Thunder Bay, Ontario - Meet Kate Shumka
Shumka Dust has 5 different spice blends to kick up your cooking. Having been to culinary school, owner Kate Shumka created Shumka Dust by playing in the kitchen and tossing around different spices. Its how we create all blends now. Kate works alongside her husband Scott and 12-year-old daughter Jordin. Shumka Dust is your go to seasoning, spice, and rub. You can use it on and in everything your heart desires. Five years ago Shumka Dust was born and Kate's hope is that it becomes a global sensation in the years to come.
Meet Andrea Mulligan from Sleeping Giant Brewing Company
Northwestern Ontario's largest microbrewery is family-run and Indigenous-owned. Located on the shores of Lake Superior, it was founded in 2011 by Andrea and Kyle Mulligan and born of a passion for craft beer and all things local and artisanal.
Good Spirit Kombucha, Saskatchewan - Meet Taylor and Colleen
Good Spirit Kombucha is proud to be a female owned and operated business. Taylor and Colleen handle all aspects of Good Spirit Kombucha's production, distribution, sales, marketing and more! Good Spirit Kombucha focuses on providing an acessible, non-alcoholic alternative to the people of the prairies. What began as a home-brewing project, quickly turned into a growing commercial brewery. You can now find Good Spirit Kombucha, the fizzy functional alternative, in a variety of locations across Saskatchewan.
Simpson Snacks, Saskatchewan, Stephanie Nimchuk
As a mother of three busy children, snacks have always been a huge part of Stephanie's (and her family) life! When Stephanie was approached with the idea of starting a snack business specialising in the pretzels that were always a huge hit in their house, she couldn't say no! Simpson Snacks has fulfilled her dream of having a business that her whole family can enjoy. Stephanie believes that it's a leap of faith that she is definitely glad they took. "We can't thank the local businesses that we work with–and the people that support us– enough."