SISTERS’ BUSINESS GROWS THROUGH COLLABORATION
Food kit company partners with local producers, keeping it fresh and sustainable
“It is together that we will make it through this pandemic. It is through collaboration that we will change our industry.” — Catherine Beaudoin, co-owner of Zestykits
The owners of Regina-based Zestykits were planning to expand their business to Saskatoon in early 2020. The
COVID -19 pandemic presented unforeseen challenges, but owners Catherine and Annie Beaudoin handled it the best way they knew how: collaboration and community.
The sisters credit much of their success to their collaborations with other independent Saskatchewan businesses.
The meal kit subscription service is now available in Saskatoon with home delivery. It differs from similar business models in several ways.
Building community, promoting local farmers and empowering people to cook are all important to the Beaudoin sisters.
Zestykits’ food is sourced from Saskatchewan producers whenever possible.
The meal kit components are made from scratch, without preservatives or additives. Packaging is minimal, which means unlike many other meal services, there are no plastic ice packs that end up in the landfill (customers choose a set delivery time to make this feasible).
Read on for Catherine’s thoughts on community, food, farmers and what makes Saskatchewan so darn special.
Q What has it been like to expand Zestykits during these unprecedented times?
A Expansions are filled with unknowns; exciting and also a bit scary, especially now. Due to social distancing, we weren’t able to physically follow the process as planned and spent a lot of time planning through phone calls.
We’re thankful for our amazing partners: Pacific Fresh Fish, Pace-it and Local & Fresh. Without them, this expansion would not have been possible. And we’re thankful for Saskatoon residents’ support.
Q Do you have any advice or words of encouragement to share with fellow entrepreneurs?
A Throughout the growth of Zestykits, we’ve learned that collaboration with members of our community is foundational to providing the highest quality service to our clients. As a community, we need to look at each other not as competition, but as partners and friends.
We are stronger together. It is together that we will make it through this pandemic. It is through collaboration that we will change our industry.
Q Part of your business model is focused on supporting Saskatchewan food producers. Why is that important to you?
A We created Zestykits to empower Saskatchewan residents to come back to their culinary roots, to reconnect with food, to get to know their producers and to discover delicious food farmed and produced with love.
We believe the highest quality and most health supporting ingredients don’t come from thousands of miles away. They come from the farmers next door. The less distance food travels on its way to our table,
the better.
Q Where did your love for local food begin?
A Our parents promoted the importance of knowing where our food comes from. They helped us understand that, while money comes and goes, our wealth is our health.
Even though we grew up with limited resources, our parents always supported artisanal farmers and producers.
When we moved to Saskatchewan from Quebec, we learned to know the farmers and producers of this beautiful province. It is through taking the time to truly feel and experience Saskatchewan over the past 20 years that this land of living skies became part of our soul. Food nourishes more than our bodies; it nourishes our soul, it nourishes our community.
Q Zestykits also focuses on helping families cook together and connect over food with themed activities and baking kits. Why is educating children about food key for the future? A The next generation will continue to develop Saskatchewan’s food ecosystem. Children’s love for local food will determine how bright our local food future is. Spending time cooking as a family teaches children valuable life skills, such as fine motor skills, time management, math, problem solving, collaboration, reading, creativity, culture, sustainability and self-esteem. Children enjoy the process of adding ingredients together to create something they can proudly eat and share with their loved ones. Jenn Sharp is a freelance writer in Saskatoon. Her first book, Flat Out Delicious: Your Definitive Guide to Saskatchewan’s Food Artisans, is available now at independent bookstores and at local food retailers and farmgate online stores throughout Saskatchewan, along with Chapters and Amazon. Follow her on Twitter @Jennksharp, Instagram @flatoutfoodsk, and Facebook.