Goodly Foods’ Leap Forward: A New Home for a Bigger Impact

Why Did Goodly Foods Move?

The decision to move to a new production location was prompted by several factors, all rooted in our commitment to growth, efficiency, and expanding our positive impact. With the increase in sales and customers, Goodly quite literally outgrew its space at Commissary Connect. It became evident that we needed a larger facility to meet the growing demand for our nutritious soups.

Furthermore, as we embarked on our journey to expand into Alberta and other Western Canadian provinces, we recognized the need for a CFIA federal license. This license is instrumental in enabling us to transfer meat protein soups across provincial borders, a crucial step in our growth strategy. The new location offers the perfect environment for us to obtain CFIA licensing, a process we’re actively pursuing.

Where Is the New Location?

Our new home is situated on Pandora Street in Vancouver. This location holds particular significance because it’s conveniently located near the Downtown Eastside (DTES). Goodly is committed to sharing our soups with meal-serving food charities, making this proximity a practical and compassionate choice for our staff and community involvement.

What Are the Benefits of the New Location?

The primary benefit of our new location is the ample space it provides for Goodly to grow. It’s an essential element in accommodating our expanding operations, especially as our partner COHO also expands eastward. This growth will significantly support our expansion goals, including the potential for opening new locations in regions like Toronto.

How Will This Move Impact the Products and Services?

The larger space at our new location offers us the capacity to produce more soup, allowing us to meet the demands of our growing customer base. Since our move, we’ve welcomed esteemed customers like UBCO and Walmart, a testament to the growth made possible by this transition.

What About Sustainability and Environmental Impact?

As we produce more soups, we are simultaneously enhancing our ability to repurpose a larger quantity of misfit and reject surplus foods. This isn’t just a win for Goodly—it’s a win for the environment. We’re committed to reducing food waste and making a positive impact on our planet.

How Will This Affect Employees and the Community?

Our team has grown significantly, with 10 dedicated individuals now driving the Goodly mission. This expansion allows us to offer employment to more people facing barriers to traditional employment, a vital part of our social enterprise commitment.

Are There Any Challenges or Concerns?

With growth come challenges, but our team is well-prepared and ready for the next steps. We’re focused on providing the right tools and resources to ensure our team’s success. We’re constantly balancing revenue growth with the need to add resources for future expansion. Our ultimate goal is self-sustainability, and we’re making strides in that direction.

What’s the Bigger Picture and Future Plans?

Goodly Foods is rapidly becoming a recognized producer of soups, not only in British Columbia but also in other Canadian provinces. Our vision extends further as we intend to expand eastward and even into the Northwestern United States. The Goodly business philosophy is scalable and adaptable, making it suitable for replication anywhere in the world. Our ambition is to become the leading brand in repurposing misfit produce and providing employment to people with barriers to traditional employment.

As we move forward, we remain committed to our mission of creating a more sustainable and socially responsible food system. With your support, we aim to make a lasting and positive impact on communities and the environment, one bowl of soup at a time.