FEAD Empowers Female Entrepreneurs in Canada’s Agri-Food Sector
When Sondra Pearn set out to create the perfect Caesar mix, she had one goal in mind: to craft a premium product that made entertaining effortless. What started as a family favourite at the lake has now grown into a sought-after brand, thanks in part to the support of Female Entrepreneurs in Agri-Food Development (FEAD) and the Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre (Food Centre).
FEAD is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women and gender- nonconforming individuals in the food and agriculture industry. Through expert-led courses, networking and mentorship, FEAD equips food entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools needed to scale their businesses.
“Joining FEAD was one of the best decisions I made when we started our business. I learned so many tips and tricks about being an entrepreneur, and I met some really great women in business that have become lifetime friends and mentors.”
-Sondra Pearn, founder of Lake Life Caesar Co.
With a solid foundation from FEAD, Pearn turned to the Food Centre to bring her vision to life on a national scale. The Food Centre, a leader in food innovation since 1997, offers cutting-edge manufacturing facilities and expert guidance for food businesses of all sizes. Its CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) inspected pilot plant allows entrepreneurs like Pearn to produce their products efficiently while meeting rigorous food safety standards.
“We chose the Saskatchewan Food Centre because our goal was to sell our product nationwide,” Pearn explains. “The expertise and professionalism they provide is first-class, and we are so grateful for all of their hard work in helping us produce our Lake Life Caesar Premix.”
The Food Centre’s state-of-the-art production line at the CFIA pilot plant can process up to 5,000 units of sauces, jams and liquid products per day, helping businesses like Lake Life Caesar scale seamlessly. By reducing overhead costs and providing access to certified processing facilities, the Food Centre ensures that small food businesses can focus on growing their brands and reaching new markets. Now it is actively looking at strategic partnerships across Canada to collectively work together to advance agri- food innovation.
Today, Lake Life Caesar is one of more than 1,500 women-owned Canadian companies supported by FEAD, and one of many brands benefitting from the Food Centre’s expertise. Whether you’re launching a new product or looking to expand, FEAD and the Food Centre provide the support needed to turn food business dreams into reality.
To learn more, visit http://www.fead.ca and http://www.foodcentre.sk.ca.