With over 80% of our food supply coming from 1000+ miles away, there’s a common cause with the majority of Canadians to reduce our dependence on imports and learn to feed ourselves again. Consumers are demanding more from the supply chain that has put our food security at risk by accelerating climate change and devastating rural economies.
While this is a welcome opportunity for local food producers and processors, conventional distribution doesn’t work for local food. So three-time tech entrepreneurs Marcia Woods and Henry Quach created FreshSpoke. A technology platform that has solved the distribution conundrum for local suppliers and open up market access to foods produced and processed closer to home.
Since 2016, FreshSpoke has worked on behalf of local producers and processors, distributing their products to wholesale customers across Ontario – all without adding a single truck to our already congested roadways. FreshSpoke’s innovative marketplace platform leverages excess capacity in commercial delivery, giving drivers the ability to earn extra income delivering local food while reducing cost and carbon.
In 2020, while the conventional supply chain buckled under the pressure of the pandemic, FreshSpoke embarked on a rapid expansion plan. We opened our first distribution facility in Barrie, Ontario to provide home delivery and curbside pick-up, doubled down on our commitment to sustainability by using only reusable and recyclable materials for packaging.
Today, FreshSpoke for Home and Business is privileged to work with trusted farmers, growers and food & beverage artisans from across Ontario to provide a year-round supply of fresh and local grocery products. FreshSpoke is a proven solution in drive for a resilient food system and rural economic growth.
With input from hundreds of producers, chefs and others, the concept of a single source platform that connects local food buyers and sellers everywhere is unveiled under the brand of ei•ei•eat.
Ei•ei•eat brings together restaurants, producers and students in one event centred around local food. Students compete by creating an original soup made of locally sourced ingredients with the top 3 served in local area restaurants. The top honours team receives free tuition to Georgian College’s Culinary Program for a semester.
Ei•ei•eat’s MVP showcases to over 800 food business delegates at Food Entrepreneurship Showcases held across Ontario.
Ei•ei•eat is a staff pick, receives national press and attracts early investment despite falling short of our goal.
Ei•ei•eat attracts early investment from seasoned investors and business partners Craig Busch and Drew Dekker.
The new founding team zeros in on the problem of market access and hit the ground running tackling the software build of the first iteration of our commercial local food procurement system with a newly minted development team.
To align with our new direction and customer value proposition, FreshSpoke gets an overwhelming nod from all our customer segments.
The first version of FreshSpoke is released for Web, featuring online ordering and producer self-delivery in Ontario Canada.
Barb joins FreshSpoke from Georgian College where as the Strategic Project Lead, she developed the college's food entrepreneurship strategy.
FreshSpoke is presented with the Ontario Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence.
FreshSpoke is launches mobile apps, triggering wholesale buying with producer self-delivery and buyer pick-up.
A total of $50K in grants received from MaRS Business Accelerator and Ontario Centre of Excellence.
Speed dating events kick off across Ontario bringing wholesale buyers and local food producers to meet, sample and build relationships.
SCOR Food Hub selects FreshSpoke to assume its local food distribution service is South Central Ontario
FreshSpoke’s Buyer Activation Specialists hit the road introducing the marketplace platform to wholesale buyers and orders start flowing.
Spend10.ca campaign challenges Canadians to spend $10 on local food during local food week
In Celebration of Canada’s 150th, FreshSpoke launches FreshSpoke150 to showcase 150 quintessentially Canadian products.
FreshSpoke expands its sales efforts in the GTA with the appointment of 3 sales & service representatives.
FreshSpoke releases the latest version that offers free shipping on orders of $300 or more on wholesale local food.
FreshSpoke partners with Toronto area warehousing and delivery company and launches order consolidation for 170+ retailer and food service customers.
FreshSpoke is 1 of only 14 early-stage agtech and food companies selected to present at the 10th inaugural Ag Innovation Showcase in St. Louis.
FreshSpoke launches in the United states with the opening of its Toledo, Ohio office.
FreshSpoke is 1 of 8 companies selected from 500+ applicants to attend Food-X Accelerator in New York city.
FreshSpoke secures vendor of record status with Sobeys, Whole Foods & Metro
FreshSpoke closed its Seed Round oversubscribed at $550K with funds earmarked for retail expansion across Ontario.
FreshSpoke closes an Expansion Round, raising $600K in private investment & grants to expand its wholesale model to include home delivery and curbside pickup.
FreshSpoke opens its first distribution centre in Barrie, Ontario and launches Home Delivery & Curbside Pick-up.
Order from a curated list of fresh & artisanal foods from local suppliers.
Schedule a delivery or curb-side-collection time that works for you.
Pay by credit card & earn credit on your next order.
Your order is delivered to your vehicle, home or business.
