Aisle 42

In this episode we chat with Arzeena Hamir, a dedicated farmer, community leader, and advocate for local food systems.  Arzeena shares her journey from studying crop science and working internationally to settling into a rural community and owning an organic farm. We dive into the challenges and nuances of small-scale farming and we discuss cooperatives, ecological practices, profitability, a...

Thanks for listening to Aisle 42, in this episode we chat with Mitchell Scott, CEO of Cult Food Science, to explore the cutting edge of cultivated and lab-grown foods.  We dive into the promise and challenges of cellular agriculture, including cultivated meats, seafood, and innovative uses of mushroom-based proteins.  Mitchell explains the science behind bioreactors, the regulatory and m...

In this episode of Aisle 42, we chat with Jasmine, co-founder of Big Mountain Foods, about the brand's journey, family culture, and mission to make allergen-free, plant-based foods that are healthy and delicious.  Jasmine talks about shifting from mental health work to building the brand with her mom, as well as the challenge of getting kids to love healthy food. We also dive into their produ...

In this episode I chat with Dominic (Doobey) co-founder of Evive (eh-VIEV) Nutrition, a brand that’s redefining convenience with nutrient-dense, whole-food-based frozen smoothie cubes and innovative plant-based products. Dominic is tackling one of the biggest issues in the grocery industry—ultra-processed foods—by making it easier than ever to enjoy real, whole ingredients without sacrificing conv...

This episode is a special one as it explores the future of grocery through the eyes of a speed to market specialist… some even call him the anti-broker. I’m chatting with Jud Currie, Ethical Food Group’s very own retail and sales leader and you’re going to love this conversation. Jud’s storied career includes category-leading work with major brands like Colgate-Palmolive, McCain and Love Child Org...

In this episode I’m joined by Jonathan, co-founder of Goodfood, a Canadian meal kit pioneer that’s helping thousands of households cook fresh, high-quality meals with locally sourced ingredients. From tackling food waste to cheerleading Canadian farmers and producers, Goodfood is more than just a meal kit company—it’s redefining how Canadians engage with their food. We discuss the shift toward mor...

In this episode I’m joined by Michael Lines, CEO of SimplyProtein, a brand making waves in the better-for-you snacking space with their approachable, high-protein, plant-based products. With the rise of protein consumption trends, including the impact of GLP-1 medications and consumers seeking clean, functional foods, SimplyProtein is proving that better nutrition doesn’t have to come at the cost...

In this episode we’re tackling one of the most pressing issues in the grocery industry—food waste and accessibility—with a guest who's making a real impact. Jordan, President & COO at Flashfood and former head of global marketing at Impossible Foods, joins us to discuss the massive opportunity to rethink how we distribute, consume, and value food. Our conversation explores the surprising ways...

This episode is all about happy, healthy dogs thriving on a plant-based diet! Yep, vegan dogs are a real thing and you’ll be glad you learned why. I chat with Laura, founder of Virchew, a Vancouver-based brand pioneering plant-based, hypo-allergenic dog food. Laura shares her vision for transforming pet nutrition with a product that not only nourishes dogs but also helps alleviate common health is...

Now, this conversation is not for the faint of heart. It’s a powerful and deeply personal look into Ian’s raw and profound path—one that starts and ends talking about Mitsoh’s delicious pemican strips (available in a grocery store near you) but it’s the middle part, his telling of his turbulent past and inspirations along the way, that will have you glued to your ear buds. Ian’s vision goes beyond...

In this episode, I sit down with Marise from Chas Organics to explore her team’s commitment to organic, fair trade, and sustainable food production. Marise shares how their mission is deeply rooted in providing high-quality, Ayurvedic-inspired products sourced from Sri Lanka. She walks us through the values that drive their production—making organic food both accessible and affordable—while foster...

In this conversation with Dana McCauley, we dive into Canada’s Food Innovation Network and its vital role of investment and knowledge transfer within the agri-food industry. We explore Canada’s strengths in upcycling, plant-based proteins, and functional ingredients, positioning both CFIN and the country as leaders in food tech. With economic and trade chaos making scaling in the U.S. more challen...

In this episode I chat with Neil Thomson, co-founder of Laid Back Snacks—a brand that’s redefining what it means to snack smarter.  I’ve been a longtime fan of their trail mixes and nut blends, so it’s only fitting that we finally get a chance to sit down and talk about how they’ve built a business that’s all about balance—nutrition meets indulgence, fun meets functionality.  From e-comm...

Here we go! We’re kicking off Season 2 of Aisle 42 with none other than The Food Professor! I chatted with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois—a leading voice in Canadian agriculture and food policy. He advises all levels of government, he ruffles feathers and he has a real knack for uncovering the broken bits of our food system. In this episode, we dive into the complexities of food prices, the intersection b...

This is the final episode of Season 1 and I’m going bananas (insert laugh track here?, ah no?). In this chat with Jennie from Equifruit, we dive into the complexities of the global banana supply chain and the mission behind their fair trade business model. Jennie takes us behind the scenes of conventional banana farming practices and how they have contributed to low wages, poor working conditions,...

Sometimes the most sustainable solution can also be the simplest and that’s certainly true in the snacking aisle now that we can buy nutritious upcycled fruit chips made right where they’re grown. In this episode, Sarah Goodman, the founder of Chiwis, shares her journey and passion for creating flavour packed, crispy tropical fruit snacks that are good for people and our planet. Sarah shares the c...

In this epidote of Aisle 42 we sit down with a farmer! An orchardist in fact, and we talk about all things fruit and upcycling. Gagan Lasser is the President of Lass Chance Beverage Co. and you’re going to really enjoy they’re take on a bold mission to reduce food waste. They transform unsellable whole fruit into juice, sparkling sodas and ciders made from things like peaches, pears, and even the...

Each and every episode of Aisle 42 highlights the intersections between sustainable food and beverage making, the industry the supports them and consumers that give a damn about our health and the world around us. In this conversation with Krista from EcoCERT Canada we cover some really interesting ground around food growing and manufacturing, biodiversity, respect for the planet, and how ethical...

Holistic nutrition, delicious meal replacements, plant-based innovation, and the healing power of love, science, and determination - THAT’s what’s in store for you in this episode of Aisle 42 where I talk with Paul from Heal. If you’ve ever blended up some smoothie or vitamin powder and felt like your taste buds, body, and bowels deserve better… then you’re going to love this conversation. And for...

Let’s continue our walk down the organic wild side. In this episode of Aisle 42 we talk with Ian Walker, affectionately known as the "organic godfather of Western Canada." Ian is the visionary co-founder of Hippie Snacks and Left Coast Naturals, two brands that are known for quality, transparency, and sustainability in the food industry. From his humble beginnings selling peanut butter at a local...

We’re pulling back the curtain and going backstage for this one… because this episode of Aisle 42 is with Tia Loftsgard (from Canada Organic Trade Association). She is a passionate advocate for organic farming and sustainable food systems and we have a lively conversation about local food, healthy food, what it takes to have grocery stores full of food we can trust. To learn more go to: https://ch...

It’s time to talk iced tea! This beverage category is not new, but it's flying off the shelves and hotter than ever—much like the Earth's temperature these days. In this episode of Aisle 42, I chat with Max Rivest, co-founder of Wize Coffee Leaf Iced Tea—one of the brands close to our hearts here at Ethical Food Group. Max is a passionate advocate for sustainable practices, and their efforts to su...

I followed the trail of my favourite pesto and plant-based cheese sauce and it led me all the way to Quebec, and Le Grand and co-founder Tatiana Bossy. In this episode of Aisle 42 Tatiana shares her journey through the business world of the once trendy now mainstream plant-based movement. We talk about her approach to wholesome ingredients and their efforts to source products from suppliers who gi...

This episode is an Aisle 42 first because we're talking about pets. Pet food commands serious shelf space in most of our grocery stores (and of course the category thrives in speciality stores and online) - all of it fuelling a global market worth around $150 billion in annual revenue. The more we dug into consumer demands, values-based shopping treads, and the environmental impact of this industr...

Food is medicine is a fitting description for this one as we dive back into the world of gut health and hydration healing. In this episode of Aisle 42 we chat with Karen Danudjaja, the visionary founder of Blume and we talk about blending function and flavour to boost our health rituals, the delicious organic latte mixes and water elixir blends they make and we even talk about my beloved flavour…...