The Vegan Population Is Growing Fast In Canada!
As the number of plant-based options increase around the world, there is one country that leads the way in people choosing to follow a plant-based diet: Canada! Companies from fast food chains like A&W to fine dining restaurants are getting on board, as young Canadians are now the fastest-growing plant-based population. According to a 2020 Statista study, there were approximately 850,000 vegans in Canada in 2018, and around 2.3 million Canadians identified themselves as vegetarian. And the trend keeps growing!
Is Honey Vegan?
No, honey isn’t vegan. It’s a common misconception that honey is vegan even if it’s made from an insect and not an animal. Beekeeping is also often associated with an activity in harmony with nature. But in the 1970s, growing demand and foreign competition made beekeepers feed bees with glucose corn syrup to extract and sell more and more honey. This has been affecting the health of the bee populations, relying mainly on “junk food” (corn syrup). So what’s wrong with that? Frédéric Boucher, has a ready answer: “Without the pollination work of healthy bees, many of the foods we take for granted would simply not be available.”
A Tasty and Sustainable Alternative
bumble bloom™ is an organic and vegan apple-based honey alternative, made in Canada with love and compassion. “We have made it our mission to offer a healthy, organic, honey-like product that people love” says Mr. Boucher, CEO of bumble bloom, the company producing this tasty alternative made from an organic apple base with organic raw cane sugar and organic apple cider vinegar. 100% of ingredients are organic, and there is no waste in the process. Three flavours are currently available: classic, ginger and cinnamon. It has the same viscosity as bee honey, so just use it like a conventional honey!
A Success In The Canadian Food Service Industry
So where can you try it? “We sell across Canada” says Mr. Boucher. So far, most of the options are on the East Coast namely at Healthy Planet and Goodness Me in Ontario, and at Metro, Avril and Rachelle-Béry in Québec. But if you are in Vancouver, you can get it from vegansupply.ca. “We also started selling to restaurants in May 2021, and I did not know it would be that successful.” adds Mr. Boucher. More than 20 restaurants in Calgary, Montreal and Ottawa have been using it. And as Vancouver has been ranked one of the world’s most popular cities for vegans, you can expect to have restaurateurs using it on the West Coast soon. Veganism is getting trendy, and adoption continues to surge at record highs.
What Can We Learn From The CEO?
In the global pandemic, bumble bloom – like most food businesses and food service operators — has found innovative ways to continue making a difference in its communities. Cash flow has been one of the biggest challenges over the last year, but as the business grows, they are on the lookout for potential partners to be on board with them.
Mr. Boucher says the most important thing is to be relaxed when there is bad news. “You will always have bad news, so don’t see it as a mountain [and be yourself]. People will enjoy doing business with you when you are yourself. So, keep pushing and never give up!”
- Name: Frédéric Boucher
- Pronouns: He/Him/His
- Job: CEO at bumble bloom
- Passions: vegan food and the outdoors
- Grew up: in Levis, Quebec (in the countryside)
- Favourite food: vegan donuts, vegan burgers, vegan tacos
- Favourite restaurants: Sushi Momo, Archway and Maynard in Montreal, Planta and Odd Burger in Toronto, and MeeT in Vancouver
- Favourite food waste hacks: buy in bulk and not too much, prepare for a few days
- Favourite influencer: Rich Roll, plant based athlete
- Favourite book: The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferris
- Best way to connect: LinkedIn
Zero Waste Recipe: Amaretto Holiday Nuts
- Why do you find it delicious? So tasty and crunchy, the best Zero Waste snack!
- Why is it Zero Waste? Use whatever nuts you have, buy in bulk and do large quantities
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Total Time: 25 min
- Serves: 6 people
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup of Classic bumble bloom
- 1/4 cup vegan butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 4 tbsp Amaretto
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 4 cups of your choice of nut mixture (almonds, cashews, pecans)
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Melt butter over medium heat in a large pot. Stir until melted.
- Add everything else and mix.
- Cook in the large pot over medium heat for 5 min, stirring often until well coated.
- Use a spatula to spoon out nuts and spread them evenly on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 10 minutes at 190C or 375F. Option: add a bit of sea salt on top.
- Let cool (about 5 minutes). Best served on a plate cause they quite are sticky!
