How Loblaw brings Canada’s farms closer to home

At Loblaw, we're bringing the heart of Canadian farms straight to your table, ensuring every bite is as fresh and local as it gets. The 'From Your Farmers' program means delivering fresh produce directly from local growers to your Hard Discount and Super Market grocery store. It's about supporting our communities, fostering sustainable practices, and ensuring Canadians have access to the food grown right here at home. 

Behind every vibrant tomato, crisp cucumber, or sweet carrot are the stories of passionate farmers, often with generations of experience. So, we caught up with two of these incredible growers, who were eager to share their journey, their challenges, and the immense pride they take in feeding Canadian families.  

Topline Farms: A Legacy of Growing Year-Round Freshness 

For Dean Mastronardi from Topline Farms, located in Leamington, Ont., farming is a family affair spanning three generations. "I've grown up around greenhouses my entire life," shares Dean, whose family specializes in a variety of vegetables including juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and colourful peppers. 

And while it might seem like a controlled environment, Dean knows that farming under glass comes with its own unique set of challenges – and huge rewards. "Knowing we provide fresh and delicious produce year-round is incredibly fulfilling," explains Dean. This commitment means customers can enjoy peak-quality produce, grown in a controlled environment, 365 days a year.  

Having their family’s produce sold at Loblaw stores is an honour, says Dean.  

"It means we get to share our passion for growing local produce with the broader community," says Dean. For Loblaw, buying local isn't just a trend; it's about supporting family farms that are sustainable, offering year-round produce.  

Nature's Finest: Rooted in Dedication 

Jason and Kevin Stallaert of Nature's Finest in Pain Court, Ontario began their farming journey processing tomatoes with his brother on their family farm. Driven by growth, they expanded into root vegetables and carrots, and now—26 years later—Nature's Finest is Canada's largest single grower of carrots, also producing yellow and red onions, potatoes, red beets, and sweet corn. 

But even with such a vast operation and diverse offerings, Jason and Kevin know that farming means constantly facing off with the ultimate unpredictable force: mother nature. Yet, the reward far outweighs the difficulties. "Getting product out to all Canadians across the country is what drives them. For the Stallaert brothers, the partnership with Loblaw is a natural fit: "We grow Canadian produce for Canadians, and there's no better partner to work with than the biggest and best retailer in Canada.” 

Nature's Finest is constantly innovating. "We work hard every day to come up with innovative ways to prolong the harvest season for all Canadians," Jason notes. Their hope for customers and team members is simple: "that they get to experience a local and fresh experience." 

These stories are just two examples of the many dedicated farmers across Canada who partner with Loblaw. This unwavering commitment from Loblaw and our Canadian farmers ensures that the fresh taste of home is always within reach for every Canadian family, offering a bounty of local produce from berries and apples to tomatoes, cucumbers, peaches, and so much more, ready for you in our stores.