Since their childhoods in the French Alps, Vancouver Island entrepreneurs Benjamin Patarin and Célia Auclair have been connected to the land and the wild food it produces. After travelling the world picking and gathering food, the husband-and-wife team settled in Canada and soon discovered a rich tapestry of wild culinary ingredients in their new home.
In 2015, Benjamin and Célia founded Port Alberni’s Forest For Dinner, a food company bringing the flavours of the forest to kitchens across the country. They work with a team of foragers that share their passion for wild foods and love of the land. The carefully selected edible species—mushrooms, berries and botanicals—are sustainably collected and transformed into jams, jellies, pickles, teas and much more, for both retail and commercial markets.
“Our mission is to reconnect people with the flavours of the forest while supporting ecological stewardship and creating local jobs,” says Célia. “Our goal is to double our production in the coming years, nourishing more communities with the bounty of our local ecosystems.”
With support from Export Navigator, the entrepreneurs have grown their team, improved wholesale operations and marketing, and developed an expansion plan to export across Canada.
A Taste for Expansion
With a strong customer base established in B.C., Forest For Dinner has set its sights on new markets elsewhere in Canada. Célia and Benjamin saw an opportunity to share their wild-harvested products with chefs and retailers who value traceability, quality and the story behind the food.
“We were looking to reach niche retail and food service markets in Alberta and Ontario,” shares Célia. “We had some challenges to deal with, such as navigating interprovincial food regulations and developing a growth strategy that maintains our commitment to sustainability and small-batch production. We also needed help identifying ideal markets and understanding the logistics and pricing structures associated with expanding into new provinces.”
Célia and Benjamin knew it was time to connect with Export Navigator get the support they needed to succeed.
Support Rooted in Practical Advice
Export Advisor Brady Calancie brought his expertise to the table, helping Célia and Benjamin create export goals and strategically plan their interprovincial growth. He also flagged programs and funding opportunities along the way that help the company achieve its growth goals.
“Brady has been an incredible resource. He’s helped us prepare for expansion and identify promising retail and food service opportunities outside of B.C.,” says Célia. “And when we have questions, he’s just a phone call away.”
Harvesting Results
Thanks to Export Navigator, Forest For Dinner has made significant progress toward its goal of expanding beyond B.C. The company has streamlined its wholesale operations and developed targeted marketing materials for new retail partners in Alberta and Ontario.
They’ve also grown their team, adding a sales representative in Vancouver to manage a growing list of wholesale accounts, and a communications and social media manager to increase visibility in their new target markets.
With an expanded team and clearer direction, the company is now better positioned to introduce more people to the unique wild foods of Vancouver Island and to do so in a way that aligns with their values of quality, traceability and sustainability.
Go for It
To other business owners considering reaching out to Export Navigator for support, the message from Forest For Dinner is clear.
“Do it! The support is practical, personalized and designed to help you grow. If you’re ready to scale your business beyond your local market but don’t know where to begin, this program is an ideal first step,” recommends Célia.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the support and expertise we received through Export Navigator. It gave us clarity, direction and momentum without compromising the values at the heart of our work.”
With new markets on the horizon, Forest For Dinner is ready to show more Canadians just how delicious the forest can be.
