Sometimes the most sustainable solution can also be the simplest and that’s certainly true in the snacking aisle now that we can buy nutritious upcycled fruit chips made right where they’re grown. In this episode, Sarah Goodman, the founder of Chiwis, shares her journey and passion for creating flavour packed, crispy tropical fruit snacks that are good for people and our planet.

Sarah shares the challenges of scaling a sustainable business, sourcing upcycled fruit, and finding partners and retailers who align with Chiwis’ values. She also opens up about the joys and challenges of being a women-owned business in the food industry and the milestones Chiwis is striving for and reached. You’re also going to love her wildcard answer to ‘the big question’ right off the top.

To learn more about these delicious upcycled fruit snacks visit https://chiwis.co/.

To learn more about who makes this podcast and why visit https://www.ethicalfoodgroup.com/.

Here's the highlights:

Product Origin: Sarah started Chiwis out of her passion for healthy snacks and nutrition, initially making kiwi chips for hikes and camping.

Growth Journey: Chiwis has grown from a small startup to being available in major retailers like Whole Foods, Costco, and independent stores across Canada and the U.S.

Upcycling Mission: Chiwis uses upcycled fruit, including "ugly" fruits, to reduce waste, using as much of the fruit as possible, including skins and rinds, for a minimal-waste, nutrient-rich product.

Retail Strategy: Chiwis is strategically placed in the “healthy snacking” sections of stores for better visibility, although some retailers misplace them in produce, impacting sales.

West Coast Expansion: Focused on the U.S. West Coast for expansion due to similar consumer values and logistical ease compared to sending products across Canada.

Women-Owned Business Impact: Sarah values the support from women investors and sees the “women-owned” label as an asset in connecting with her target audience.

Export Challenges and Partnerships: Sarah has navigated complexities in sourcing upcycled fruit and finding co-manufacturing partners near farms, vital for sustainability and quality.

Awards and Recognition: Chiwis has been nominated for several sustainability and innovation awards, including the BC Rise Awards and CHFA Launch Pad Award.

Celebrity Shoutouts: Sarah dreams of getting her product in the hands of celebrities like Chelsea Handler and Mark Marin, who were inspirations during her early days in business.

Future Aspirations: Light-heartedly, Sarah suggests Ryan Reynolds could buy Chiwis in a few years as she considers potential future growth and expansion opportunities.

In this epidote of Aisle 42 we sit down with a farmer! An orchardist in fact, and we talk about all things fruit and upcycling. Gagan Lasser is the President of Lass Chance Beverage Co. and you’re going to really enjoy they’re take on a bold mission to reduce food waste.

They transform unsellable whole fruit into juice, sparkling sodas and ciders made from things like peaches, pears, and even the dark horse of the farming world, the haskap berry.

We chat through the importance of sustainable practices, using AI to sorting produce, and some of the harder realities of managing crops exposed to the elements. We also talk about their farm-to-bottle journey, agricultural stewardship, and their zero food waste mojo.

Learn more visit https://www.lasschance.com/.

If you would like to get to know the people and the purpose behind this podcast visit https://www.ethicalfoodgroup.com/.

Here's the highlights:

Last Chance Beverage Co. transforms unsellable farm produce into high-quality beverages, aiming to reduce food waste.

Located in Keremeos, BC, the company is family-owned and operates on a sustainable farm that’s been in business since 1988.

The company started by upcycling excess apples into juice and now produces a variety of products, including sparkling sodas and ciders from peaches, pears, and haskap berries.

Last Chance employs advanced AI sorting technology on the farm to categorize produce, allowing them to upcycle "ugly" or misfit fruits.

They focus on sustainability, using integrated pest management to reduce chemical use and prevent waste at each stage of the farming process.

Their beverages are packaged in glass bottles, reflecting the brand’s premium image and commitment to environmental impact.

The company recently opened a 7,000 square-foot on-farm tasting room and production facility, offering a unique farm-to-bottle experience for visitors.

They are expanding distribution of their products across Western Canada, with plans to enter Eastern Canada soon.

Last Chance has a “zero food waste” mission, using every part of the fruit, including turning unused portions into animal feed and other by-products.

Lasser emphasizes the brand’s philosophy that “there’s no such thing as a bad apple,” symbolizing their commitment to upcycling and sustainability.

Each and every episode of Aisle 42 highlights the intersections between sustainable food and beverage making, the industry the supports them and consumers that give a damn about our health and the world around us.

In this conversation with Krista from EcoCERT Canada we cover some really interesting ground around food growing and manufacturing, biodiversity, respect for the planet, and how ethical practices can impact the souls of those behind our food supply chain.

We'll also delve into the wonderful world of Fair for Life certification.

Whether you're curious about how certification processes work or interested in how they impact the food you buy, this episode will make you think differently about your next trip to the grocery store.

To learn more about how Krista’s beloved certification is making the word a better place go to https://fairforlife.org.

To learn about who is behind this podcast go to: https://www.ethicalfoodgroup.com/podcast

Here’s a summary of this interview:

Vision for the Future Grocery Store: Krista imagines a grocery store that emphasizes diversity in food, packaging, and architecture, promoting sustainability and respect for people and the planet.

EcoCERT Overview: EcoCERT is an international certification body focused on sustainability, with a range of standards, including organic certifications and Fair for Life, among others.

Role of Certifications: Krista emphasizes the importance of certifications like Fair for Life in ensuring that products meet high environmental and social standards, particularly in fair trade practices.

Fair for Life Certification: This certification goes beyond traditional fair trade, emphasizing social and environmental responsibility, as well as robust relationships between producers and buyers.

Challenges in Consumer Understanding: Communicating the complexity of certifications like Fair for Life to consumers through a simple logo is a significant challenge, but it's crucial for transparency.

Importance of Diversity in the Supply Chain: Krista advocates for diversity across the entire supply chain, from sourcing and production to packaging and store design, to support sustainability.

Certification Standards and Global Consistency: Krista's role involves ensuring that certification standards are applied consistently worldwide, regardless of where the certified operations are located.

Audit and Label Fatigue: EcoCERT is aware of the challenges companies face with multiple certifications and audits, and they are working to streamline processes to reduce this burden.

Support for Smaller, Committed Brands: Fair for Life certification is more stringent and often appeals to smaller brands that are deeply committed to ethical practices.

Future of Fair for Life: While Fair for Life may not reach the mass marketing levels of other certifications, it remains a crucial standard for ensuring transparency and ethical practices in the food system.