Interview with Kelli Kaake, Brand Manager | Direct Plus Food Group
In August 2018, I had the pleasure of interviewing Kelli Kaake, Brand Manager for Direct Plus Food Group, who is our contact for Grimm’s Fine Foods. Grimm’s in addition to having great gluten-free products, are very supportive of our Chapter and the Canadian Celiac Association. Their support is much appreciated. They have a strong allegiance to family values and the community they live in. They support not only our charity, but several other charities, as well as many local organizations and sports teams. They graciously provide product, set up barbecue fundraisers and promote at various tradeshows and events. Grimm’s always encourages employees to be involved in the communities that they live in.
Grimm’s Fine Foods produces traditional European sausages, meats, and naturally fermented products whose recipes have not changed since their inception in 1951. They were gluten-free prior to the “gluten-free fad” producing high end products that contain no substitutes, fillers, by-products and no gluten.
In the 1930’s Henri and Jacob Grimm completed a Sausage apprenticeship program in Hamburg, Germany. They moved to Vancouver and in 1951 opened a meat deli. Over the years, their integrity and commitment to quality never wavered. Premium ingredients, traditional European values, and a desire to meet the ever-changing needs and tastes of consumers guided the company’s continuous growth.
Today Grimm’s Fine Foods is a recognized leader, offering an expansive variety of high quality meat products, fine cheeses, tortillas, wraps and snacks. They are a subsidiary of Premium Brands, however, a family member, Rick Grimm is still involved on the production side at one of the four Grimm’s manufacturing facilities in western Canada.
Their first manufacturing facility was opened in Richmond, BC in 1975 and at the same time they started to serve not just the local market, but the Canadian market. Today, they employ 400 employees and have four main manufacturing facilities, all of which are based in western Canada. Food safety is an important part of how they plan, prepare and execute their products. All of Grimm’s manufacturing plants carry food safety certifications that are globally recognized.
All Grimm’s products have been lab tested in order to verify nutritional information and highlighted claims. Grimm’s products that contain Gluten Free claims have been substantiated by in house and third party lab testing. Grimm’s has multiple production plants, some of which are Gluten Free facilities and others that enforce allergen segregation control programs in order to support their claims. Their facilities include both FG Deli Group and Country Prime Meats that are Safe Quality Food (SQF) Certified. SQF Certification proves that their organization produces, processes, prepares and handles food products to the highest possible standards. SJ Fine Foods and Made Rite carry BRC Certifications. British Retail Consortium (BRC) Global Standards guarantee quality, safety and operational criteria.
This is important as many smaller, regional players are only provincial and do not carry these rigid food safety standards or certifications.
Fresh Sausages and Tortillas are made at alternate facilities where allergen segregation control programs are implemented. Grimm’s Smokies are made in a gluten-free facility in Saskatoon that holds globally recognized BRC certification. Grimm’s Toppers are also made in a gluten-free facility. This facility in Ontario holds globally recognized SQF certification. Grimm’s Mini Peps are made in a gluten free facility.
Grimm’s products are found in major retailers across Canada and in September will also be in the Costco in the southern US.
A major marketplace challenge has been the escalating cost of the high quality ingredients used in the products. This has made creating an affordable product difficult. Kelli has been with Grimm’s for over two years and has seen a heightened awareness of gluten-free products. They continually seek new flavour formulations and think clear labelling and transparency is critical to retaining customer confidence in their products. Their products are free of many of the common allergens and this is clearly communicated on their packaging. They use 100% pure Canadian honey and their fresh sausages are raised without the use of antibiotics. Inputs are locally sourced wherever possible and humane animal practices are a priority in choosing their suppliers.
Check out recipes on Grimm's website and your local grocery store for Grimm's gluten-free products. Website: https://www.grimmsfinefoods.com/ and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GrimmsFineFoods/
Grimm’s Fine Foods produces traditional European sausages, meats, and naturally fermented products whose recipes have not changed since their inception in 1951. They were gluten-free prior to the “gluten-free fad” producing high end products that contain no substitutes, fillers, by-products and no gluten.
In the 1930’s Henri and Jacob Grimm completed a Sausage apprenticeship program in Hamburg, Germany. They moved to Vancouver and in 1951 opened a meat deli. Over the years, their integrity and commitment to quality never wavered. Premium ingredients, traditional European values, and a desire to meet the ever-changing needs and tastes of consumers guided the company’s continuous growth.
Today Grimm’s Fine Foods is a recognized leader, offering an expansive variety of high quality meat products, fine cheeses, tortillas, wraps and snacks. They are a subsidiary of Premium Brands, however, a family member, Rick Grimm is still involved on the production side at one of the four Grimm’s manufacturing facilities in western Canada.
Their first manufacturing facility was opened in Richmond, BC in 1975 and at the same time they started to serve not just the local market, but the Canadian market. Today, they employ 400 employees and have four main manufacturing facilities, all of which are based in western Canada. Food safety is an important part of how they plan, prepare and execute their products. All of Grimm’s manufacturing plants carry food safety certifications that are globally recognized.
All Grimm’s products have been lab tested in order to verify nutritional information and highlighted claims. Grimm’s products that contain Gluten Free claims have been substantiated by in house and third party lab testing. Grimm’s has multiple production plants, some of which are Gluten Free facilities and others that enforce allergen segregation control programs in order to support their claims. Their facilities include both FG Deli Group and Country Prime Meats that are Safe Quality Food (SQF) Certified. SQF Certification proves that their organization produces, processes, prepares and handles food products to the highest possible standards. SJ Fine Foods and Made Rite carry BRC Certifications. British Retail Consortium (BRC) Global Standards guarantee quality, safety and operational criteria.
This is important as many smaller, regional players are only provincial and do not carry these rigid food safety standards or certifications.
Fresh Sausages and Tortillas are made at alternate facilities where allergen segregation control programs are implemented. Grimm’s Smokies are made in a gluten-free facility in Saskatoon that holds globally recognized BRC certification. Grimm’s Toppers are also made in a gluten-free facility. This facility in Ontario holds globally recognized SQF certification. Grimm’s Mini Peps are made in a gluten free facility.
Grimm’s products are found in major retailers across Canada and in September will also be in the Costco in the southern US.
A major marketplace challenge has been the escalating cost of the high quality ingredients used in the products. This has made creating an affordable product difficult. Kelli has been with Grimm’s for over two years and has seen a heightened awareness of gluten-free products. They continually seek new flavour formulations and think clear labelling and transparency is critical to retaining customer confidence in their products. Their products are free of many of the common allergens and this is clearly communicated on their packaging. They use 100% pure Canadian honey and their fresh sausages are raised without the use of antibiotics. Inputs are locally sourced wherever possible and humane animal practices are a priority in choosing their suppliers.
Check out recipes on Grimm's website and your local grocery store for Grimm's gluten-free products. Website: https://www.grimmsfinefoods.com/ and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GrimmsFineFoods/