7 Easy Canadian-Made Swaps for Essentials
One of the easiest ways to buy more Canadian is to start with things already on your grocery list. Here are seven products you can switch without changing where you shop.
1. Toilet Paper and Paper Towels
Kruger Products manufactures household paper products in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec. Its brands include:
- Cashmere toilet paper
- Purex toilet paper
- SpongeTowels paper towels
- Scotties facial tissues
- Bonterra household paper products
These products are sold by major grocery stores, pharmacies and online retailers across Canada.
2. Bread
Much of the packaged bread sold in Canadian grocery stores is baked domestically.
Bimbo Canada operates bakeries across the country and produces brands including Dempster’s, Bon Matin, Villaggio and Vachon. The parent company is based in Mexico, but buying bread baked here still supports Canadian production and distribution jobs.
Local and independent bakeries are another easy option when available.
3. Eggs
Eggs are one of the simplest Canadian products to find. Look for a Canadian grade mark or a Canadian farm identified on the carton.
Burnbrae Farms is a Canadian family-owned egg producer with farms, grading stations and processing operations across the country.
4. Milk, Butter and Other Dairy Products
Canadian milk is easy to identify using the blue dairy-cow logo.
For butter, sour cream and cottage cheese, look for brands from Gay Lea Foods. Gay Lea is a Canadian dairy co-operative owned by farming families, with products sold by major grocery stores.
5. Pasta
Italpasta produces dried pasta at its facility in Brampton, Ontario. Its pasta is widely available in grocery stores and online, making it an easy replacement for imported brands.
Check the package because the company also sells some specialty products sourced from outside Canada.
6. Canned Tomatoes and Tomato Sauce
Sun-Brite Foods produces canned tomatoes and tomato sauces in the Leamington and Kingsville area of Ontario. The company owns the Primo and Unico brands.
At the grocery store, look for Primo or Unico canned tomatoes and check the label on the exact product you are buying. For example, Loblaws lists Unico Diced Tomatoes as “Prepared in Canada.”
7. Soap and Household Cleaners
Canadian companies produce dish soap, laundry detergent and household cleaners that can be reordered online or found at major retailers.
Nature Clean and The Unscented Company both offer Canadian-made options. Check the country-of-origin statement on the individual product because manufacturing can vary across a company’s selection.
Looking for More Ways to Buy Canadian?
If you’re curious about other ways to buy Canadian, check out True North Finds.