Made With Local
Made with Local started as a simple Farmer's market table and is now a B-Corp certified food provider available at stores across Canada - but it's still baked at home (that is Dartmouth, Nova Scotia!), by locals with local ingredients.
Working out of rural Nova Scotia has meant we've always had a strong connection to local farmers. This is why when we sourced our ingredients, we got the whole community involved - there is Tom Cosman, our honey supplier providing the delicious honey for our bars, there is David and Evelyn Ernst our cranberry farmers, and our friends at Nuts to you nut butters and Oak Manor Farms who provide nut butters and hearty oats. Proof that good food comes close to home.
Our mission is to continue nourishing our local community through local suppliers and social enterprises and to be the voice of intuitive, mindful nourishment in your grocery stores' snack aisle.
Find out more about Made with Local
East Coast Lifestyle
The DNA of East Coast Lifestyle is simple: it's about being proud of where you're from. In March of 2013, Alex MacLean, a senior Business student at Acadia University was asked to start a temporary business for an Entrepreneurship class project. With an $800 loan from his dad and a passion to rep his coast, Alex produced his first 30 East Coast Lifestyle hoodies and sold them to his closest friends. Using the proceeds from the first batch, ECL began distribution from the trunk of Alex's car and his mom's front lawn for several months until the birth of the popular anchor logo.
Within weeks, ECL became a staple on social media with thousands of photos of East Coasters showcasing their pride from all around the world. The hype continued to escalate by the day as pictures of celebrities representing their coast made their way to social media. From hockey superstar Sidney Crosby to Wu-Tang Clan's Ghostface Killah and singing sensation Ed Sheeran, East Coast Lifestyle gives everyone an opportunity to wear their heart on their sleeve with fresh designs and high quality clothing. East Coast Lifestyle allows you to bring a piece of home with you wherever you go - helping you connect with your coast from around the world.
Find out more about East Coast Lifestyle
Acadian Maple
From Tree to Table, Acadian Maple Products has been proudly partnering with Maple Harvesters in Nova Scotia to provide you with 100% Nova Scotia Maple for over 35 years.
Stepping into our retail and production shop in Upper Tantallon on Peggy's Cove Road is like stepping into the sugar camp - enveloped in the sweet smell of pure maple. More than 30,000 guests visit us annually, with pride we offer tastings and a collection of maple products that are mapleicious.
The pride of Nova Scotia's first agriculture crop of the year, maple syrup, is an important part of the maple harvest. Acadian Maple is the largest purchaser and processor of Nova Scotia produced maple syrup. Exporting to markets here and across Canada, we even reach worldwide, and are constantly developing new products.
In 2019, Authentic Seacoast Company proudly welcomed Acadian Maple of Upper Tantallon into its family of handcrafted Nova Scotia companies, keeping the tradition originally started by the Allaway Family going.
Find out more about Acadian Maple
Drunken Sailor
A family company, Drunken Sailor Donair Spice was started by three passionate East Coasters due simply to their constant cravings for donair. Based in Halifax, with all production taking place in New Minas in partnership with The Flower Cart Group, this east coast delicacy is perfect to satisfy your own donair cravings. Try traditional donairs, donair meatballs, donair nachos or get creative with your own creations.
Find out more about Drunken Sailor
Bee Stanton Creative
What is Bee all about?
Picture yourself on a seaside cliff. It's cold, it's windy, the water is a deep shade of slate, with pale icy blue accents intertwined in white caps. Picture a cabin, it's tiny and rough. Not rustic, rough. Unlike outside, it's warm; a wood stove in the corner, a bed with some quilts having seen better days, some chairs and a table with a kerosene light. Somewhere outside a gull is competing with the moan of the wind and sea. You take the boiling kettle off the stove and have a seat. Pour yourself a cup of coffee. Turn on the a.m. radio and pull out your notebook and pen.
Can you smell the coffee and salt in the air? Can you hear the crackle of the stove and muffled tunes of the radio? Then perhaps you've gotten a glimpse into my cozy little mind, and hopefully even more-so through my work.
Find out more about Bee Stanton Creative
Epoch Chemistry
Beginning with the straightforward desire to bring the world's best coffee to Atlantic Canada and beyond, Conor Conway and Matt Symes launched Epoch Chemistry in June 2019. Focused on beyond fair-trade, we use a triple bottom line to ensure we serve our clientele and the planet better. We are continually finding like-minded partners in order to offer you the best ethically sourced quality coffee available. As we continue to learn and grow, we are committed to providing Atlantic Canada with the best. From your 'coffee tasting coffee' to your more adventurous flavors, we are here to help connect the coffee dots.
Find out more about Epoch Chemistry
Just Us! Coffee Roasters Co-op
We called ourselves Just Us! because we started out as only a small group of friends who had very little in the way of business experience or resources, but believed we could do our bit for social "justice". To us, fair trade is about more than just price; It's about social justice and improving the lives of workers from farms to roasters, restaurants and cafes.
We are proud that some 20 plus years after we first fired up our coffee roaster, we have held true to our founding principles. We look forward to continuing our journey and sharing our story for years to come.
Find out more about Just Us!
Ataraxy Farm
Ataraxy Farm was formed in 2013 as a therapy farm for my injured military veteran husband with PTSD and provides a serene and calm environment. The farm started with 2 special horses; they are special because they honestly saved his life; fast forward 6 years and we now have 5 horses, 3 donkeys, 1 mule and 30 goats. All our animals on our farm are treated like our children.
People ask me "why 30 goats?" We started with one male goat that came with one of our horses, Fred. We occasionally open our farm to other injured veterans for animal therapy. Fred is a very special goat in the veterans' community. What we have noticed with Fred is when veterans with PTSD come to the farm, Fred will not leave their side. He will monopolize the veterans' attention the entire time they are in the goats' pen. Once a veteran has met Fred they leave the farm smiling, and of course with many pictures of Fred. We have also had the pleasure of hosting members of the Eastern Shore Mental Health Association.
The sales from our soaps help us to maintain our farm animals which allow us to continue to share them with everyone. We would like to give a big thank you to everyone that buys our soaps and we are so happy that customers love them.
Our goats are hand milked daily.
Find out more about Ataraxy Farm
Sock It To Ya!
It begins in 1987.
I was working in my family’s lighting business for a number of years, until I came to realize that my passion did not lie in lighting, but rather in…. socks! I had always loved receiving socks from my oldest brother who lived in Montreal - I thought it was such a fun and individualized gift. So, when my family friend vacated a small hot dog store in the heart of downtown Halifax on Spring Garden Road, my idea to open a sock store became a reality. After all, nobody loves a great hot dog more than me…. it was meant to be!
While on vacation in Toronto with my fiancé, we happened to meet a representative of Bonnie Doon Socks who was serendipitously working a trade show at the time. With no business plan and 180 square feet of retail space to my name, I attended the trade show and began purchasing merchandise for a non-existent sock store. I knew I was taking a risk, but as I believe kids say these days, YOLO! Upon my return to Halifax, I was fortunate to have my father arrange a line of credit to operate my new business and the rest, as they say, is history!
Fast forward 33 years and three moves later and we now call Doyle Street our home. Without the support of our incredibly loyal customers we could not be in business today, so thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Find out more about Sock It To Ya!
OLGA Designs
OLGA was born out of the desire to elevate self-appreciation through meaningful skin care experiences. It is our intention to create pure and sophisticated formulas that engage our sense, ground us, shape our days, and create wellness ripple effect for the mind, body and spirit. Each OLGA recipe is thoughtfully designed with botanicals and earth-based nutrients to nourish skin, provide lasting results and inspire self-care routines.
Alison Brown Dolmont is a medical herbalist and formulates each OLGA recipe out of her studio in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Inspired by natural beauty rituals of the past, she believes in body positivity and carving out space for self-care each day.
OLGA’s name is a dedication to Alison’s grandmother and her once self-care practice, an aromatic routine inspired by simple ingredients and natural beauty.
Find out more about OLGA Designs
All-Ways-Us
All-Ways-Us is a social enterprise with a mission to provide employment opportunities with competitive wages to people with disabilities. We hand make plant based cold process soaps, candles as well as creative wood products.
Find out more about All-Ways-Us
Saltwreck
Saltwreck is made by Canadians, for Canadians. In fact, everything is made in Canada, with materials from Canada, and distributed only in Canada. Saltwreck has grown from it's humble beginnings in 2016, to now featuring over 500 maps of all Provinces/Territories and all major Towns/Cities in Canada. Our map prints can be found proudly hung in every corner of Canada.
Find out more about Saltwreck
Smooth Meal Prep
We are not just a business, we are a family!
Smooth Meal Prep is a local family owned and operated business founded in 2018. Since late 2018 we’ve prepared over 10,000 meals, making our customer's lives easier, providing jobs for our community, and bringing our family closer together.
We are health and fitness focused family led by our Co-Founder and CEO Nevell Provo, a former Team Canada athlete and Fitness Coach. Co-Founder and Head Chef Karen Provo a.k.a Mom, brings in the perfect fusion with elite culinary skills, and over 30 years of cooking experience.
Our team and family is firstly committed to delivering convenient delicious and nutritious meals to Haligonians, helping them reach fitness goals or just maintain a healthy life.
Find out more about Smooth Meal Prep
Big Cove Foods
We used to be farmers.
When we first developed our company, we had recently moved from city life to country living. Where we became knee deep in organic-inspired vegetables and busy in the sugar shack making maple syrup.
Yet we were still inspired by the county living in so many ways. It forced us to dive deep into creating our own ingredients as well as try our hands out on new things. So we baked, we sauced, we smoked, we seasoned – we made candy!
Our company has naturally pivoted toward the cooking side as we served food in the market kitchen and started the Big Cove Foods ‘Sunday BBQ’.
We continue to create food recipes with our spice blends because we truly believe it to be a saving aid in the kitchen. You don’t have to be a good cook to get delicious results.
Find out More about Big Cove Foods
Silly Soap Shop
The Silly Soap Shop is a family-run business based in Dartmouth that specializes in handmade bath & beauty products with vibrant colors and enticing fragrances. Our products include bath bombs, bubbling dead sea bath salts, luxury bubble bath, moisturizing shampoo bars, shaving bars, traditional coconut oil soaps, liquid soap in a reusable glass pump, bath gift sets, sparkling holographic body glitter and flavored lip balm. We also have a line of fun and whimsical novelty soaps made with a gentle and hydrating glycerin base. We can now print your favorite designs or logos into our novelty soaps so they can be customized to make you the perfect personalized gift and/or party favors.
Find out more about Silly Soap Shop
Eastwood Pottery Studio
We are a small batch ceramic pottery based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. We love to create beautiful pieces of pottery for everyday use that will change how you live your life. In the busyness of life, it is important to slow down and savour the ordinary. When you hold one of our handmade pieces, you take the time to be present in the moment.
All our glazes are food safe, dishwasher and microwave safe. We specialize in mid-range porcelain fired to 2200°F in our electric kilns. All glazes are custom hand made on site. Each glaze has been specially formulated to match the clay body. Customized layered pieces can have between one to seven glazes. We layer our glazes using different applications, which have varying effects.
Find out more about Eastwood Pottery Studio
Nova Scotia Fisherman
Nova Scotia Fisherman was founded by Les Falconer and his uncle Perley Beairsto in the lush agricultural Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia, Canada.
The name Nova Scotia Fisherman came from some of the hardest working people within our Maritime communities, who endure unbelievably rough conditions and weather from the unforgiving Atlantic waters. The idea was to create a premium skin care product that could help protect against the harshest conditions that Nova Scotia Fisherman would encounter, while utilizing the nutrient-rich ingredients available to us close to the sea.
The company's mission from day one was to produce a superior quality, conscious, and clean skincare product in rural Canada. Source clean, natural ingredients close to home, provide work for a vibrant and talented rural community, all while giving back to the lands.
Find out more about Nova Scotia Fisherman
Appleton Chocolates Company
Alan and Merle began making these one of a kind chocolates in 1997. It all started in a little 1 bedroom cabin along a rough road in Wentworth, Nova Scotia in the small community of Appleton. Being in the heart of Maple and Wild Blueberry country it seemed only appropriate for someone to combine these delights, which they did. Today we use the same recipe to make 13 different and equally delicious, non-traditional truffles.
Unfortunately, after approximately 2 years Merle passed away and Alan continued running the business on his own. In May of 2008, Alan got remarried to Michael’s mom, Beth and together they grew the business even bigger. By the end of 2013 the business shut down due to high production demands and lack of physical labor available. Michael and Heather were living in Alberta at the time and were asked to move east to take over the business. By June of 2014 we had moved our family and started learning the business.
By September of 2015 we realized the potential of the business and decided to expand by looking for a higher traffic location to move to. In March of 2016 we found a location on Main Street in Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia. We opened in our new location on May 22, 2016, and are in a shared space with a Bakery and Cafe.
Find out more about Appleton Chocolates Company
Hive to Home
Hive to Home creates beeswax food wraps as a sustainable, renewable, and friendly alternative to plastic.
Patterns, shapes, sizing, are flexible and changing - because they're made by hand no two are the same.
Fabric is hand washed with EcoSuds Soap Nuts , air dried, and ironed. The wraps are made with beeswax from Cosman & Whidden Nova Scotia Honey located in the beautiful Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia, Canada and jojoba oil. We purchase the beeswax from their booth at the longest continuously operating farmers' market in North America The Halifax Seaport Farmers' Market.
This local beeswax isn't bleached and gives the wraps a fresh yellow tint.
An easy alternative to plastic, sandwich bags, and some plastic containers, wraps also smell delicious.
Find out more about Hive to Home
Annapolis Valley Luffa
We believe in the environmental achievements of the luffa plant, from its growing process to its ultimate use in Canadians’ lives.
The possibilities for good in terms of luffa gourd are varied, many and significant. Luffa (loofa, loofah) sponge is the poster child for zero – waste and sustainability. It is a semi-tropical member of the cucurbit family that is grown for its fibre. This naturally formed fibre is luxurious on your body, known to increase blood circulation, clean your pores and refresh your skin. No need to compromise sustainability for luxury.
This unique Canadian Luffa is grown organically in Nova Scotia, providing satisfying choices for earth-friendly citizens.
Find out more about Annapolis Valley Luffa
Seek and Bloom
“EVERY FLOWER IS A SOUL BLOSSOMING IN NATURE.”
Seek & Bloom Creative Co. focuses on the slow process of flower pressing while incorporating the
modern approach of graphic art to create stationery designs that feel organic and elegant.
Products are created using pressed and preserved flowers and foliage foraged from the wild or from flower farms in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia. After the flowers are pressed and arranged, Ashley’s artwork is professionally photographed to create stationery designs and replications that look like the real thing.
After five years in the floral industry, a lifetime love of flowers, and a professional background in graphic design, Ashley has found that creating with nature as an art form came naturally to her and is calming to the soul.
Find out more about Seek and Bloom
Rub that RUBS
My experience as a personal Chef I noticed there was a common issue among my clients. Bringing diversity of flavor into their meal plans that did not contain artificial flavors or fillers.
Each family was different and had a wide range of needs regarding the foods they ate. Everything from health issues, to not having the time to cook healthy meals for their family after a long work day.
In a discussion one day I came up with an idea to start a small business that provides my spice blends to the public. The idea quickly became a reality and rub that RUBS was born.
In a short time we gained popularity with Nova Scotian’s looking for spice blends that did not contain unnecessary ingredients. Our carefully blended in small batch gourmet spices create dishes that celebrate global flavors with ease.
A little goes a long way. By using only the best ingredients you do not have to use a lot of seasoning to get the entire flavor you would expect from your meal.
We make it easy to be a gourmet chef.
Find out more about Rub that RUBS
Phee's Original Goods
Kyle McPhee (Phee) is the founder of Phee’s Original Goods, makers of quality canvas and leather goods. He currently operates out of The Convent Arts and Culture Centre in Sydney, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
I was born and raised in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Over the years I’ve worked in a number of trades from plumbing to skatepark building from coast to coast. This experience has taught me the value of tough goods and quality materials that are built to last. The designs we produce here at Phee’s Original Goods aim to respect the legacy of craftspeople before us while fitting squarely into the contemporary world (and your pocket). We consider ourselves proud citizens of the North Atlantic. My partner Robyn and I make our home on beautiful Cape Breton Island. you’ll notice we name each of our products after places in Cape Breton and we hope you’ll visit your wallet’s namesake someday.
Find out more about Phee's Original Goods
Pineapple Sweets & Co.
Halifax's first Gourmet Cotton Candy Cart, making your events as awesome as you!!!
Find out more about The Pineapple Sweets & Co.
Art Pays Me
Artists have the power to spark joy, inspire revolutions, grow businesses, push culture forward and much more, yet most people, artists included underestimate the power of art. I want to change that. My mission is to motivate artists to embrace their strengths to achieve financial and creative empowerment. Art Pays Me is based in the vibrant creative community of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Find out more about Arts Pays Me
Blue Crab Creative
In 2012 Trevor and Charleen were disappointed they could not find souvenirs that were made locally that they could send to family that were away. They visited many gift stores, and most of the small items like magnets, key chains and ornaments were made overseas. There was space in the market for gifts that were made in Canada, by Canadians that represented the culture and life in the region. They had noticed this lack of local products in the market as they traveled across Canada. They started to design and craft small gifts that could be shipped inexpensively around the world.
The designs are created in house, and each one has a story. They were designed with specific markets in mind. Canadians are proud of their heritage, and we are proud to depict our heritage in the products we design. Some of their family have lived on Cape Breton island for thousands of years, and they are proud of their Acadian, French and Mi’kmaq roots.
Working with other artisans, woodworkers and crafters is an important part of their business. With a high regard for integrity we add value to fine products with custom engraving. They also design and create custom boxes to showcase products for other makers, manufacturers and designers. They are always happy to custom design unique gifts for corporate gifts and wedding needs.
Find out more about Blue Crab Creative
Sugar Moon Farm
Sugar Moon Farm began in 1973 as Boondock Maple Products + Pancake House, owned and operated by Bob Williams.
When we met Bob in 1994, he was ready to pass on the farm to someone who would continue making maple syrup on the property. We commenced a 2-year apprenticeship, learning the crafts of maple sugaring and horse logging.
In 1996, we took over the farm and renamed it Sugar Moon Farm. We expanded the restaurant over the winter of 2000/01 and have been open year round ever since, celebrating this Great Canadian Experience in all four seasons.
Sugar Moon Farm is a working maple farm, woodlot and restaurant. We produce quality food in a manner that supports local agriculture and community and respects land and water. To this end, we buy locally, sort and compost all kitchen waste and use a composting system for our public washrooms.
Scott and Quita are long time members of Slow Food International. Sugar Moon Farm is a member of Taste Nova Scotia and has received provincial and regional awards.
Find out more about Sugar Moon Farm
Inkwell Boutique
Crafted with care, made with love to delight and inspire.
Inkwell is a modern handmade boutique and letterpress studio located in downtown Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, with an abundant selection of specialty printed paper products and handmade delights made with love, by artists from around the corner and across the world.
With over 200 independent artists in one location and a focus on illustrative items, the boutique showcases an array of handmade products - art prints, homewares, ceramics, textiles, jewelry, apothecary and other great gift ideas - all year long!
Find out more about Inkwell Boutique
Farmer John's Herbs
Our farm philosophy is to produce what we believe to be the worlds finest summer savory and use it to create great food products! We believe that in doing this we are serving our neighbours and God. We are committed to helping our neighbours and have done so in our own community, and abroad by assisting Farmers Helping Farmers' efforts in Kenya.
Here in the beautiful Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia we are pleased to be growing excellent summer savory and using it to create the flavors of the Maritimes in our spice mixtures;
Jacoba and Bram Lohr, came from Holland in 1958 and started farming here on this farm in 1960. Farmer John's Herbs has evolved and today we have three generations of family working together. We have been wonderfully supported by the public and the grocery stores of the region. Our goal is to bring you the flavours of the Maritimes through our summer savory and many spice mixes. We are a certified organic processor and use mostly organic herbs in our spice mixtures.
Find out more about Farmer John's Herbs
Cape Breton Fudge Co.
The Cape Breton Fudge Co. officially opened nearly 10 years ago. We make real butter and cream fudge in over two dozen flavours, with special requests always welcome. Our most popular fudges include Highland Chocolate, Skor, Celtic Mint, Highland Gold Maple and Breton Whisky (made with Glen Breton Whisky from Glenora Distillery here in Cape Breton!).
Especially popular are our fudge crates (made lovingly by the good folks at the Breton Ability Centre social enterprise) which can be filled with whatever you desire from our shop. We love making fudge and are happy customizing orders (particularly popular for corporate clients).
We have been lucky enough to share our treats at the Golden Globes and the Country Music Awards. Consider the Cape Breton Fudge Co. for your group or team fundraiser; fudge is a fun and easy sell.
Find out more about Cape Breton Fudge Co.
Blomidon Nurseries
"The Plant Store" serving the horticulture industry in Nova Scotia for over 50 years. Blomidon Nurseries Retail & Wholesale offers a rare blend of quality service and product. Our nursery carries a complete line of plant material – both the tried and true and the innovative and novel.
Every year our greenhouses produce their bountiful crop of beautiful annuals for both residential and commercial uses. Our Newly constructed store provides a wide selection of both spring and summer flowering bulbs (in season) as well as a complete line of gardening tools and accessories along with giftware and craft supplies
Find out more about Blomidon Nurseries
Maritime Salt Makers of Canada
We are Liz Blanchette and Tammy Zinck, friends with a salt obsession that began when we were looking for local sea salt to use with the herbs and veggies we were growing in the backyard. We couldn't find any Nova Scotia or Atlantic Canada Sea Salt! And now...
We make Nova Scotia sea salt.
We regularly visit our favourite beach, from May to October, fill dozens of jugs with Atlantic sea water, and let the sun work its magic in our salt houses in Dartmouth.
We don't boil the sea water. It takes a lot of energy to boil the ocean. We only use solar energy from the sun. We produce beautiful, moist salt crystals from May to October. We smoke some with applewood chips and leave some natural. We have grown from 1 salt house to 4 salt houses and we plan to build even more! We still get excited when we see the beautiful crystals form at the bottom of the pan on a warm sunny day.