As we continue to shine a well-deserved spotlight on the outstanding local products in our stores, we sat down with British Columbia’s very own, FreeYumm.

We spoke to founder Sarah Clarke about her journey to success (FreeYumm now available in 16 Safeway stores in B.C.!) and the impact of Safeway’s support.

Can you share a little bit about your background and how your company came to be?

After my son was diagnosed with various food allergies and sensitivities, he was constantly being left out at snack time. I quickly learned that so many other kids were experiencing the same thing. My determination to find a fun and healthy way to make food both delicious and inclusive led to our initial success, and we quickly expanded our focus to ensure all ages and backgrounds could enjoy our products.

Our goal is for people to be able to share and enjoy food freely. People need to trust their food source, so FreeYumm snacks are plant-based, allergen friendly, gluten-free and kosher. We built our very own dedicated bakery and we’re equally focused on making our food healthful and delicious. There’s no point in making it safe and healthy if people don’t like the flavour!

Can you tell us more about your products?

FreeYumm delivers on incredible flavour without compromising on ingredients. Our lineup of delicious gluten-free snacks includes crackers, bars and cookies. Our most popular items include Cheezy Cracker Bites (yes, they taste like Goldfish Crackers, but better!) and Honey Apple Soft Baked Bars. We use healthy whole food ingredients that are school-friendly and mom-approved. All FreeYumm snacks are free from the top nine allergens: milk (all dairy), peanuts, eggs, wheat/gluten, soy, tree nuts, sesame, seafood, sulphites. Plus, we never use starchy fillers, refined sugars, preservatives, artificial colours or flavours.

In what ways have your local B.C. roots impacted your business?

My family thrives in the outdoors. From hiking to mountain biking and skiing, we’re always finding new places to explore. We’re so fortunate to live in the beautiful playground that is British Columbia. And we want to eat delicious healthy food that supports our healthy living. We found that B.C. is a supportive, forward-thinking and forward-living community, which makes for a great place to introduce something new like FreeYumm! All of that combines into one pretty inspiring place to live and make great snacks for on-the-go families!

As your business began to grow, why were you interested in working with Safeway?

FreeYumm is very excited to be working with Safeway! We have a very loyal customer base and are always asked if we can get our products into your stores. Safeway is such an important Canadian grocery banner, and we know how important it is to customers to have a healthy variety of inclusive snacks. We love your stores and appreciate you supporting our local business.

What did it feel like when you saw your products on Safeway shelves for the first time?

Joy! It was an instant burst of happiness to see FreeYumm products on the shelves at Safeway. It also felt a little surreal to have created something and then see it staring back at me from the store shelves. A proud moment for sure!

What makes you most proud to partner with Safeway? 

To see our cracker bites and cookies on shelf at Safeway is an absolute game changer for so many families, especially those managing food allergies, sensitivities or special diets. Safeway has a rich history in Canada, as well as a dedicated approach to giving back. We’re proud to be working with a company like this that matches our values and is so conscientious in its inclusive food offerings.

What growth has you company seen since partnering with Safeway?

We’re excited that Safeway has picked up our NEW cracker bites! The customer feedback we’ve received on the Pizza and Cheezy Bites has been outstanding and they’re quickly becoming a popular snack item that’s enjoyed by all ages and backgrounds. Many Safeway stores managers have told us that it’s hard to keep them stocked because they’re selling so well. We’re grateful for their enthusiasm for FreeYumm!

What’s next for you and your business?

At FreeYumm, we’re passionate about being a brand that is constantly evolving and catering to the needs of our customers. New products are on the horizon so stay tuned at freeyumm.com, and in the meantime let us know if there’s a product you would like to see from us! Feel free to reach out with any suggestions or feedback at info@freeyumm.com. Thank you for supporting our Canadian mom-owned business!

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Be sure to check out FreeYumm’s brightly coloured products next time you’re in store! Keep on the lookout for more Safeway Local Supplier Spotlights coming your way soon.