Company Background
Amazing what can happen when you have awesome chutney recipes, lots of dedication to local ingredients, a little business savvy and a whole lot of passion. The On The Side Inc. brand started as a home canning project for Christmas gifts and through a lot of encouragement from family and friends emerged into a full-scale condiment operation.
On The Side Inc. condiments are becoming so renowned, you will see them listed in some of the more prestigious restaurant menus, or stocked on the shelves of high-end gourmet/specialty shops from the Golden Horseshoe right up to Toronto. Many of our customers include but not limited to: Holt Renfrew, McEwan, The Prince of Wales Hotel, Inn on the Twenty Restaurant (Cave Springs Winery), University of Toronto (Hart House), Olson Foods at Ravine, the Marriott Hotel, All the Best Fine Foods, The Wellington Court/Courthouse Restaurants, the Healthy Butcher and chabichou fine cheeses and gourmet food.
On The Side Inc. is one company that is committed to supporting local farmers by purchasing all its key ingredients directly from growers in Southern Ontario and using what is in-season. All products are processed within days of purchase to ensure optimal freshness and nutritional value. On The Side Inc.’s production practices adhere to geographical limits and ecological farming practices that restrict the use of synthetic pesticides. According to a recent Agriculture and Agri-food Canada – Key Industry Trends Report for 2008, what started as a grassroots movement to ‘buy local’ has quickly developed into a burgeoning trend worldwide. On The Side Inc. was noted as “one of the foremost local food producers in Ontario.”
Our Goals
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To help propel the growth of 'locally grown,’ nutritious, delicious condiments in the retail and food-service industries.
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To heighten public awareness of the purpose and importance of agriculture sustainability and environmental stewardship.
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To bolster our commitment to the local movement by supporting government programs that encourage Ontarians to buy Ontario-grown food.
Our Commitment
Premiumization is fundamental. We want you the consumer to have it all. As much as possible our intention is to use locally grown, pesticide free ingredients. Our purpose is to provide a product that:
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Has a robust taste because ingredients used are not stored and shipped across the country or around the world, thus healthier and higher in vitamins than the imported variety. Our products are designed to appeal to the health-conscious consumer, and are driven by the rapidly growing Canadian palate for exotic yet fresh and healthy products.
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Contributes to the economic viability of Ontario Greenbelt of Ontario growers. Greater food awareness among city dwellers will generate greater demand for local, fresh, diverse and seasonal produce. Demand for local produce/products will place pressure on governments to preserve precious Southern Ontario farm lands. Keeping these limited areas in production conserves fertile land and preserves biological diversity for the future.
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Helps to reduce the waste, energy and materials needed in long-distance travel. Public opinion polls indicate that the environment is the number one issue among Canadians. Transporting foods over a short distance decreases the level of greenhouse gas emissions to our environment. An increased consumer interest in purchasing locally grown/processed food will be a good indicator of pro-environmental activation.
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Visually appealing packaging and labeling is important, as a unique style should reflect the quality of its product and reinforce the integrity of its brand. Specially marketed Victorian shaped jars include self stylized labels to enhance product uniqueness; creatively morphing its water colour design from a condiment to an art form.
On the Side Inc. is a two-person operation, but has plans to grow as a company holding true to key precepts for product quality and integrity.
David Orr was born and raised in Southern Alberta with a background in farming and ranching. Specifically, Dave’s knowledge and farming experience includes cattle ranching, animal husbandry and crop rotation at a beef and sheep ranch in Montana. Dave’s employment and educational background is in the area of Information Technology. His many functions within On The Side Inc. include but are not limited to: web design, network installation, financial budgeting, business operations, purchasing and produce processing.
Chris Lianga grew up in St.Catharines, Ontario; one of the many cities within the Niagara Greenbelt. Chris studied Environmental Science at Brock University, where she first gained insight of the Niagara Region, the ‘local’ movement, sustainable agriculture and environmental issues. Chris worked for the Ministry of Agriculture and Food (Integrated Pest Management Programme) as an Entomology Technician summer intern. Her role within this programme was to assist Niagara Greenbelt growers control the overburden of pesticides on tender fruit lands. Once completing her university degree, Chris worked as Pollution Research Coordinator and Editor for the Preservation of Agricultural Lands Society as a Pollution Research Coordinator and Editor. Chris also has a Post Graduate Diploma from Ryerson University Public Relations/Communications programme, and now applies communications and PR tools to her business. Her other business functions include business plan development, research and marketing, webpage editing and label design, public speaking and consulting for local product development.
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