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.
There are few things we love more than sourcing and celebrating the great local products from communities right across our country. We’re so proud to partner with hundreds of local suppliers to not only bring the best products to our stores, but invest in our own local communities.
A great example of this comes from our partnership with British Columbia-native, Kirsten Brolin, who is the owner and founder of Bee Kind Honey. We sat down with Kirsten to learn more about the journey she took to create her company.
Kirsten, can you share a little bit about your background and how your company came to be?
I’m a Realtor by profession, but farming has been my passion since I was a young adult living in Pemberton, raising chickens, turkeys and pheasants. In 2012, a tragedy struck our family that left me to raise my two young children on my own.
As our household needs changed, so did the size of the livestock we kept. Living on a small city lot, my only option was honey bees. So, in 2019, my formal education in Commercial Beekeeping began — and I was hooked! Bee Kind Honey was born that same year. With a lot of competition in the honey market, I decided to infuse my honey with different flavours and ingredients.
Can you tell us more about Bee Kind Honey’s products?
As a proud honey producer, we have around 200 bee hives in the South Surrey, Langley and Aldergrove areas. Bee Kind Honey is currently available in eight infused flavours — chili, lemon, garlic, mint, vanilla, espresso, ginger, and lavender — as well as four iced flavours: cacao, cinnamon, cranberry, and chai. We’re focused on producing quality local honey with whole ingredients for our infusions, opposed to using essential oils or extracts.
All of our products are 100% natural, made with unpasteurized honey and no additives or preservatives. We strongly believe in buying local, so whenever possible, we use locally sourced flowers, roots, and herbs.
As your business began to grow, why were you interested in working with Safeway?
Knowing that Sobeys Inc. and Safeway support local suppliers, a good friend of mine encouraged me to visit my local grocery store and speak to the store manager about my products. Eager to appeal to a larger retail market, I took her advice!
After looking at the honey options on the shelves, I approached the store manager and suggested that he add some local honey on there, too, and that I had something his customers would enjoy. I was amazed that he took the time to introduce me to head office and advocate for my products to be listed in the local program. I’m forever grateful!
What did it feel like when you saw your products on Safeway shelves for the first time?
I was so excited when I saw my products on the shelves. I bought a few jars right away and posted the news on my social media. The amount of time and hard work it took to get my products to this point was very satisfying to see. I even shed a couple of tears quietly in the store aisle.
What makes you most proud to partner with Safeway?
I couldn’t imagine partnering with a better company than Safeway. There’s such a large focus on local foods in stores and I truly believe that customers appreciate it. I know I certainly do!
I was touched to see the “Local” shelf tag on my display highlighting me as a female entrepreneur. Thank you to all the teammates that go the extra distance to promote my products and other local products. It doesn’t go unnoticed!
What growth has Bee Kind Honey seen since partnering with Safeway?
Before partnering with Safeway last year, our main revenue was from farmers’ markets and some small retail stores. Since being on Safeway store shelves, our products have become well-recognized and sales have grown exponentially. I love hearing from people that they bought my product at Safeway. There’s nothing more rewarding than that!
What’s next for you and your business?
I’ve partnered with Venture Park Labs in Calgary to scale up my production and distribution in the coming months. I’m so excited for what’s to come and I’m ready for it!
Bee Kind Honey is available in 16 Safeway stores in Lower Mainland B.C. (with plans to expand!) and in 16 Thrifty Foods locations in the Vancouver and Victoria area. Bee sure to keep an eye out for these jars the next time you’re in store.
Stay tuned to Safeway Talks for more Safeway Local Supplier Spotlights coming your way soon!
