Going Canadian: A Handy Guide to Grocery Shopping

Local Substitutions by Category

1. Fruits & Vegetables

2. Dairy Products and Plant-Based Alternatives

3. Cereal Products

4. Packaged Snacks

5. Legumes and Meat Substitutes

6. Meats and Charcuterie

7. Condiments, Sauces, and Oils

8. Beverages

With prices climbing for American goods, there’s never been a better time to embrace local shopping. Beyond giving a boost to Canada’s economy, choosing homegrown products often means fresher, higher-quality options—and a lighter environmental footprint to boot. But let’s be honest: navigating the grocery store aisles can feel like a puzzle.

That’s why our team of registered dietitians and nutritionists put together this guide to help you spot Canadian-made goodies and swap out imported brands for local gems.

1. How to Spot Canadian Products Like a Pro

Picture this: you’re strolling through the produce aisle, basket in hand, surrounded by vibrant fruits and veggies. How do you know which ones are Canadian? Here’s what to look for:

• Labels "Product of Canada" or "Made in Canada": These mean the main ingredients and production are Canadian-grown and made.
• The "Aliments du Québec" or "Aliments préparés au Québec" logo: A sure sign of Quebec origins, either in the ingredients or the processing.

• Packaging labels: Some brands love to flaunt their Canadian roots—keep an eye out for proud declarations.
   
• Manufacturer’s address: A quick peek can confirm if the company calls Canada home.

Need help developing the habit of spotting the right products? Consult a registered dietitian to learn how to better read nutrition labels and to plan your shop like a seasoned local.

2. Major Canadian Food Companies Worth Knowing

Many local companies play a key role in the food industry and offer high-quality products. Here are some big names delivering quality to your table:

• Saputo – A major dairy processor.
   
• Olymel – Specialist in pork and poultry.
   
• George Weston Limited – A key player in bakery and food distribution.
   
• Agropur – A Canadian dairy cooperative.
   
• Dare Foods – Manufacturer of cookies, crackers, and confections.
   
• Maple Leaf Foods – A company specialized in meat and deli products.

3. American Brands That Pitch In: Are They Off-Limits?

Sure, some American brands dominate the shelves, but they’re not always the enemy. Many hire Canadian workers, use local ingredients, pay taxes here, and team up with nearby suppliers. It’s not a clear-cut “avoid” situation—some of these giants actually give back to our economy in their own way. Take a look:

• PepsiCo Canada – Uses Canadian ingredients and employs thousands of workers.
   
• General Mills Canada – Has facilities in Canada and uses local grains.
   
• Coca-Cola Canada – Bottles several beverages domestically.
   
• McCain Foods – A Canadian company that uses local potatoes.
   
• Mars Canada – Produces several chocolates and food products in Canada.

4. Canadian Swaps to Fill Your Cart

Need a little help making your choices? Here’s a rundown of Canadian alternatives to replace those imported standbys.

4.1 Fresh or Preserved Fruits & Vegetables

To learn how to cook seasonal products, check out the Ultimate Guide to Local Fruits and Vegetables During the Summer Season.

• Seasonal fruits & vegetables: Skip the imports and grab from Ferme Lufa, Ferme Tourne-Sol, Ferme La Chouette Lapone, and Improove, or find the nearest producer by visiting the website of l’Association des producteurs maraîchers du Québec (APMQ).
   
• Freeze-dried fruits: Swap Kraft Heinz Company, Mercer Foods, OFD Foods, Van Drunen Farms for Sublima, Lyo & Co., Sublyme, Éklor Aliments.
   
• Dried fruits and related products: Ditch foreign brands for Fruit d’Or, Patience Fruit et Co, Same Bio, and Wise by Nature.
   
• Frozen fruits: Go with Fruit d’Or, Gourmet Sauvage, and Evive.
   
• Fermented vegetables: Trade Bubbies, Wildbrine, Farmhouse Culture, The Brinery, Pickled Planet for Tout Cru!

4.2 Dairy Products and Plant-Based Alternatives

• Yogurts: Say goodbye to Yoplait and hello to iÖGO, Liberté or Biobest (Agropur).
   
• Plant-based beverages: Swap Almond Breeze for Silk (locally produced) or Earth's Own.
   
• Cream cheese: Replace Philadelphia  with Fromagerie L’Ancêtre, Agropur.
   
• Sliced cheeses: Swap Kraft Singles for Saputo (Balderson, Armstrong), OKA.
   
• Milk: Choose Natrel, Québon or Nutrinor over american labels.

4.3 Cereal Products and Nutritious Breads

• Oatmeal and cereals: Trade Quaker for La Milanaise, Stonemill Bakehouse, Holy Crap, Gruo, Chiamigos, Berhan Grains, Folle Farine.
   
• Bread: Swap Wonder Bread for Silver Hills, Première Moisson, St-Méthode.
   
• Breakfast cereals: Ditch Kellogg’s for Nature’s Path, Holy Crap.

4.4 Packaged Snacks and Nibbles

• Soft bars: Replace Nature Valley with MadeGood, Zenit Nutrition, Taste of Nature, Go Pure, Henri.
   
• Protein bars: Trade Clif Bar for Zazubean, Mid-Day Squares.
   
• Crackers: Swap Ritz Crackers for Lesley Stowe Raincoast Crisps, La Fabrique Gourmande, Mary’s Organic Crackers, Breton (Dare Foods), Vinta (Dare Foods), Melba Toast (Dare Foods).
   
• Legumes, nuts, and mixes: Replace Planters with Prana, La Fourmi Bionique, Remix Snacks.

4.5 Legumes and Meat Substitutes

• Legumes: Replace Goya with Croque Lupin or Three Farmers.
   
• Meat substitutes: Swap Beyond Meat for Yves Veggie Cuisine, Big Mountain Foods, Gusta.

4.6 Canadian Meats and Charcuterie

• Fresh meats: Replace imported meats with DuBreton, Ferme des Voltigeurs, Viandes Biologiques de Charlevoix.
   
• Pork and poultry: Swap foreign brands for Olymel, Les Éleveurs de porcs du Québec.

4.7 Condiments, Sauces, and Oils

• Ketchup: Replace Heinz with President’s Choice.
   
• Mayonnaise: Trade Miracle Whip for Maison Orphée, Chosen Foods.
   
• Relish: Swap Heinz Relish for Maison Orphée, Wildly Delicious.
   
• Variety of sauces: Ditch Sweet Baby Ray's, Heinz, Stubb's, Bull's-Eye, KC Masterpiece for La Pimenterie, Firebarns, Pepper North, Gourmet Sauvage.
   
• Oils: Replace imported oils with Maison Orphée, La Belle Excuse, Ferme TournevenT.
   
• Jams: Swap Smucker’s for Le Rang and Dr Isabelle – local jams made with Quebec ingredients.

4.8 Beverages (Coffee, Mate, Herbal Teas)

• Coffee: Replace Starbucks, Nespresso, Lavazza with Café Barista, Brûlerie du Roy, Saint-Henri Micro-Torréfacteur, Café Cambio, Café le Torréfacteur, 94 Celcius, and Van Houtte who roast their imported coffee beans locally.
   
• Mate: Swap Guayaki, Yachak for Mate Libre.
   
• Herbal teas: Skip Celestial Seasonings, Twinings for Tisanes Floem or Camellia Sinensis.

5. Incorporate Canadian Foods Into Your Grocery Routine!