Proudly Canadian Brand Stories – Sprague Foods

Sprague Foods. Made in Canada since 1925.

In 1925, J. Grant Sprague built his first cannery in the village of Mountain View, Ontario, naming it J.G. Sprague & Sons Canning Co. They have been canning in the Prince Edward County region ever since. During the 1920’s and 30’s, canned goods from the Mountain View plant were shipped via boat from Belleville and Picton to Montreal, Toronto, and even Western Canada. In 2009, Rick Sprague, Grant’s great-grandson, became Sprague Foods’ fourth generation president. Rick has steered the business toward a focus on healthy foods with natural ingredients.

London Drugs is proud to carry a delicious range of Sprague Organic Soups, including Organic Tuscany Minestrone, Organic Lentil & Vegetable, Organic Tomato Red Pepper and Organic Sweet Potato Curry.

 

All Sprague products are pressure-cooked for preservation in 100% BPA-free packaging, and their organic certified products contain no preservatives.

“Having been around for so long as a canner, we know from experience that Canadian farmers grow the best organic crops on the planet,” says Rick Sprague, “This is why we only use 100% Canadian-grown organic beans and lentils in our delicious pantry-friendly organic soups. Grown in Canada, canned in Canada, for Canadians. And future Canadians, too!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proudly Canadian Brand Stories – Silver Hills

For a real Canadian treat, check out this Silver Hills plant-based Bacon Grilled Cheese Recipe.

From an idea sprouted in Lumby, BC, Silver Hills Bread is now a Canadian classic from coast to coast.

When Silver Hills co-founder Brad Brousson was a boy, his mom baked bread with sprouted whole grains from a family recipe. Years later, Brad was attending a health retreat at the Silver Hills Guesthouse in Lumby, BC, and decided he should bake some for the other guests there. This quickly expanded into a full-time project, so Brad partnered with friends Stan and Kathy Smith, and Silver Hills Sprouted Bakery was born.

 

 

“Thirty years ago, if you were organic, you were a bit crazy,” says Stan Smith. “But now there’s a lot of people who are crazy along with us. I think the healthy food community is looking for companies to provide new ideas and solutions and we look forward to being part of that and to discovering ways to make it easier to eat healthy.”

The health difference begins with the sprout. This early growth of the plant unlocks iron, magnesium, zinc, B vitamins, and other important vitamins and minerals, and makes the seeds easier to digest. Sprouted whole grains also offer a healthy, slow-release carb to give your body steady energy.

 

 

All of Silver Hills’ 100% plant-based products are made with nutrient-rich, high-fibre whole grains sprouted in clean, cold Canadian water. Each ingredient is guaranteed non-GMO.

 

Silver Hills Bakery soon outgrew its humble home in the North Okanagan and moved the entire sprouted bakery to Abbotsford in 2002. They’ve been a Proudly Canadian part of the community ever since, and London Drugs is proud to feature their breads across Western Canada.

“When we began the bakery, the sole intent was to aid people in their quest for health,” reflects Brad. “It makes me feel very fulfilled to know that all of the effort and all of the sacrifice that went into making Silver Hills what it is today is really contributing to someone’s happiness, and someone’s health.”

 

 

Proudly Canadian Christmas Gift Guide

Looking for gifts with a Canadian flavor this Christmas? Whether Canadian Designed, Canadian Owned or Canadian Proud, these brands and products let you shop with a genuine Canuck connection. So tighten your toque, grab some loonies and check them out. And remember, London Drugs is 100% Canadian Owned since 1945, with our head office right here in Richmond, BC.

Annabelle Cosmetics

Created in 1967 in Montreal, Annabelle Cosmetics develops colourful and cosmopolitan beauty essentials that support a kaleidoscope of cultural diversity, and a vibrant, visionary celebration of humanity.

Pictured: Annabelle Christmas Bag Makeup Gift Set – 5 piece- $19.99

Province Apothecary

Province Apothecary is blending the wilds of Canada into nourishing and balancing skincare. All products are made with the highest quality certified organic ingredients and local ingredients that have been sourced from each Canadian Province.

Pictured: Province Apothecary Balm Trio – $45

Kerr’s Candies

Founded in 1895 in St. Thomas, Ontario by brothers Edward and Albert Kerr after emigrating from Scotland. Today, Kerr’s products are still manufactured at their head office in Toronto in a factory that’s peanut free, tree-nut free and gluten free. Sweet.

Zazubean Chocolate

Started on a pedal-powered excursion by a group of women to an island off the coast of British Columbia, Canada. These fairly traded, organic chocolate bars are good for the planet, good for the growers and tasty for you!

Delecto Chocolates

Made in Canada by Ganong, Canada’s oldest chocolate and candy company, established in 1873, in St. Stephen New Brunswick.

London Naturals Maple Syrup

This 100% Canadian organic maple syrup is made in Canada and brought to you by a 100% Canadian company – London Drugs. Choose from Canada Grade A Amber or Dark.

Sparkmouth Beverages

Non-GMO sparkling beverages flavoured with natural fruit extracts, from a Vancouver, BC Company.

Ethical Bean Coffee & Salt Spring Coffee

Two great organic companies, roasting coffee locally and buying it right globally. Ethical Bean practices promote ecological balance, biodiversity, and community support. Salt Spring Coffee is still owned and operated by the same Canadian husband and wife team.

Lise Watier Cosmetics

Founded in Quebec in 1972. Lise Watier was one of the first women to establish herself in the Canadian cosmetics industry and built a major brand. Lise Watier is now part of the Canadian owned Groupe Marcelle.

Pictured: Lise Watier Must-haves Set – 5 Piece – $44

Roots

Choose from camera bags, cases and carry-alls designed by an iconic Canadian company with its early beginnings in a small cabin in Canada’s Algonquin Park.

Pictured: Roots 73 Classic Messenger Bag – $139.99

Zoe Pet Food

Don’t forget our four footed Canadian friends at Christmas time. This 100% Canadian owned company makes 100% of their dry pet food in Canada with an average of 80% Canadian sourced ingredients.

Starfrit

A wide range of quality Canadian designed kitchenware, brought to you by Atlantic Promotions, a Quebec owned and operated company for over 50 years.

Pictured: Starfrit Maple Cutting Board – $19.99, Starfrit

Mightigrip Jar Opener – $19.99

Trudeau Corp

A Canadian company offering kitchen utensils and accessories to Canada and the world, based in Boucherville, Quebec.

Pictured: Trudeau Pepper Mill – Natural Wood – $19.99

Trudeau Filter Press Coffeemaker – $25.99

Charisma Sterling Silver Jewelry

Made by a Canadian company, designed in Montreal.

Pictured: Charisma Sterling Silver Tree Life Earrings – $25

Salt Spring Island Candles

Salt Spring Island Candle Co. was born from a desire to make clean burning plant based candles while utilizing the best aromatherapy oils to create truly unique scents inspired from Canada’s West Coast.

C&C Candle Company

Hand-poured, 100% soy candles made in

Calgary.

Safari Action Camera

Innovative cameras designed, marketed and sold exclusively in Canada. Part of Gentec, a trusted Canadian company for over 30 years.

Pictured: Safari 5D Action Camera Kit –$99.99

Logiix Accessories

Canadian designed tech products designed in

Vancouver.

Pictured: Logiix Essentials Play Notebook Sleeve – 13 Inch – Sloth – $34.99

Visit Local Central

The Local Central section in select stores continues to offer a fresh selection of hyper-local products, such as Kip’s Kettle Corn, Bear Bait Honey, Harry Beard Oil, True Heroes Coffee and more. Check our Local Central listings to see what’s available in your area!

Canadian Content

Browse our CDs, DVDs and Vinyl Records for Canadian Classics like The Tragically Hip. Neil Young, Rush, Diana Krall and of course, CBC’s The Vinyl Cafe.