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We’ve been supporting local suppliers for as long as we can remember, and helping our Canadian food entrepreneurs flourish continues to be an important part of who we are and what we stand for.
This is why we’re happy to put a well-deserved spotlight on some of our incredible partners. We recently met up with Kristin Campbell, co-founder of Squamish Water Kefir Company, to learn all about her company’s delicious products filled with healthy probiotics and digestive enzymes.
Can you share a little bit about your background and how your company came to be?
Sabrina Horlyck (the other half of Squamish Water Kefir Co.) and myself are self-proclaimed health nuts who had long suffered from nagging gut issues until we found relief from adding fermented foods into our diets.
The first batch of water kefir was brewed in Sabrina’s kitchen while she was studying at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition on a personal quest to cure her intestinal issues. She was quickly amazed by the results and was even more ecstatic when her family loved it. Soon Sabrina was delivering to friends and neighbours in a little red wagon with her young daughter in the back. The defining moment came when Sabrina received a text message from someone who tried her “magic potion,” and it was then that she knew she was onto something good.
I had travelled the world as a yoga teacher, teacher trainer, and studio owner. I had just sold my remaining shares in NeoWhistler YYoga and was looking for a new gig. While out for a run together, Sabrina pitched the idea to partner up, and a YES leapt out of my mouth before my mind caught up! We decided to sign up for the next Squamish Farmers Market and we sold out in a couple of hours on a rainy Sunday in September. It was green lights from then on and Squamish Water Kefir Co. was born in 2015.
Sabrina Kristin
Can you tell us more about your products?
Your gut talks to your brain and your brain talks to your gut — and both benefit from fermented foods. By consuming fermented foods, you’re adding beneficial bacteria and enzymes to your intestinal flora, increasing the health of your gut, and strengthening the digestive and immune systems.
In what ways have your local B.C. roots impacted your business?
British Columbia is known for its stunning natural beauty and environmental consciousness. That’s why it was important to us to do our part in minimizing our environmental impact. We use eco-friendly packaging, all of which are purchased within a 100 km radius of our facility in Squamish, and we promote recycling initiatives.
In addition, B.C.’s well-established health and wellness culture, with a strong demand for products that offer health benefits, inspired and motivated us to go in this direction with our business — and we’re happy we did!
As your business began to grow, why were you interested in working with Safeway?
Safeway is a trusted and recognizable brand that truly supports (and believes in) local businesses like ours. Having our products on your shelves helps us widen our customer reach, boost sales, and increase visibility of our products so we can fulfill our vision of providing nutritious and delicious products to all.
What did it feel like when you saw your products on Safeway shelves for the first time?
We were ecstatic when we got the news that Safeway was placing an order. It felt like a rite of passage! Seeing our innovative products on your shelves has lifted our confidence in continuing to grow our business.
What makes you most proud to partner with Safeway?
Partnering with such a renowned brand gives our business an added sense of credibility and validation, reflecting positively on the quality and appeal of our products. Not to mention, it gives us so much pride to work with a company that shares our same values — a commitment to sustainable and community-centric practices.
What growth has your company seen since partnering with Safeway?
It’s still early days, but we’ve seen an uptake in sales over the last couple months, and we hope to see this continue. We’d also love to see our products in Safeway stores across Canada, too.
What’s next for you and your business?
We’re innovators at heart! Our company was the first to market with our Sparkling Water Kefir/Probiotic Sodas and Probiotic Popsicles, and we have another product line in the works. Stay tuned on Instagram @squamishwaterkefir for updates.
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Squamish Water Kefir is now available in 15 Safeway stores throughout B.C. (with more to come!). Be sure to try these yummy products that are good for your gut health, too.
Keep an eye out for more Safeway Local Supplier Spotlights coming your way soon!
