Farm Boy chooses Leaside

Nick Papageorgiou, one of the Leaside store managers. Photo Stan Flemming.
Nick Papageorgiou, one of the Leaside store managers. Photo Stan Flemming.

Farm Boy has landed in Leaside! The chain, known for its fresh local produce, prepared foods and more, opened on December 5th in the old Sobeys location at Laird and Wicksteed after taking less than six months to transition the store.

Josh Darche, vice-president private label and product development, said, “Leaside is a great neighbourhood and we are excited to open a location here.” Farm Boy appeals to a broad demographic – reflecting Leaside. This store marks the 51st for the company and is Farm Boy’s largest in the GTA.

The Farm Boy story

In 1981, Jean-Louis and Collette Bellemare opened a small produce store in Cornwall, Ont., with a goal of selling the freshest products at the best prices. The business was a success and by 1996 had expanded into the Ottawa area where Farm Boy continued to grow. In 2012 the Bellemares opened a store in Kingston and by 2015 Farm Boy locations were opening in the GTA. Farm Boy was purchased by The Empire Company Limited, parent company of Sobeys, in 2018. The expansion continues and 25+ locations have been added since then. The founders are still involved in the business, and Jean-Louis was at the Leaside store grand opening on December 5th.

New kid in Leaside

I had the pleasure of touring the store on opening day. The new store is large with a wide variety of product offerings and helpful staff. Many employees have been with the company for years. Farm Boy numbers 5,500 total staff; the Leaside location employs some 125 people, many of whom previously worked at the old Sobeys, and several are locals or have ties to our community. 

There is a lot on offer for customers including local produce, meats and fish, prepared foods and meals, specialty dinners, many unique and private label items. The first private label item, lemon garlic dressing, was launched in 1998. Since then, Farm Boy has introduced many private label products. They also have pop-ups in their stores, allowing local proprietors to offer their foods, such as donuts and pizza. Farm Boy also offers products from businesses they have acquired, for instance the Rideau Bakery rye bread. When the 90-year-old bakery closed in 2019, Farm Boy struck a deal to purchase it so the legacy would continue.

Local focus

Farm Boy uses local seasonal produce and has dedicated suppliers. They feature squash grown by a farmer in Southwestern Ontario for their popular butternut squash soup. According to Darche, “when we are told that the squash is done for the season, we are done making squash soup.” Many items are made in-store while a large range of prepared items come from one of Farm Boy’s two commissaries, in Ottawa and Mississauga. When asked about unique items made in the commissary, Darche replied, “The edamame dip – it is very popular, delicious and unique, not something you can get anywhere else.”

Specialty dinners for special occasions and holidays are also on offer. For anyone who wants to host a special dinner at home but does not have the time or energy for all of the work involved, these specialty dinners are a great solution.

Farm Boy supports food banks and food rescue initiatives.  Aaron Wade, manager of public relations and community investment at Farm Boy, indicated that as part of the grand opening of the Leaside location, “Farm Boy made a $5,000 donation to a local food bank and partners with local food rescue entities to ensure that food is not wasted.”

If you have not already had a chance to do so, check out the new Farm Boy in Leaside, a great addition to our community.

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