BC Business
These easy bites are perfect for hikes—or the munchies.
Anamika Gioia has been professionally popping lotus seeds since she launched Sacred Foods in 2020. (Her small-batch biz earned her a spot on our 30 Under 30 list last year.) But the Vancouver outfit’s roots go back much further: the all-natural popped lotus seed snacks were Gioia’s favourite when she was growing up in India. Just like mom used to make. In-store and online
Wise Bites
Wise Bites’ cookies, muffins and other treats are all free from the top 11 allergens (so yes, they’re field-trip safe) and packed with protein and fibre. That’s part of founder Cathline James’s commitment to health for all—since her mother died of cancer when she was a teenager, she’s been focused on reducing the risk of disease. The Richmond-headquartered company launched its first products in 2013. In-store and online
Chiwis
Move over, chewy dried fruit. Squamish-based Chiwis’ snacks are light and crispy (think chip-like, not raisin-like). Nutritionist Sarah Goodman founded the company in 2020. Her kiwi, mango, orange and pineapple chips are perfect for packing on a hike. In-store and online
Panela Lemon
Vancouver-based Panela Lemon’s vegan filled cookies are named after the recipe’s raw organic Colombian panela (which replaces traditional sugar). Marilyn Cordoba started the business in 2019 with the goal of using no preservatives or artificial flavourings but still baking a kick-ass sweet treat. Mission accomplished. In-store and online
Coho Commissary. Next Level Foods
Eric Lofgren is all about clean eating—so much so that he quit his 20-year engineering career to found Next Level Foods in 2018. The Lions Bay company’s energy bars are sweetened with dates and use plant- based protein, so they’re vegan and paleo. Pineapple and chai flavours are coming this summer—stay tuned. In-store and online