Calgary-based startup Secret Foods expands across Western Canada

Secret Foods, maker of premium tahini finishing sauces, secures retailer partnership with Save-On-Foods. This means its products will be on Save-On-Foods shelves across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

After launching just a year ago, Secret Foods has experienced tremendous growth as an alternative condiment in the traditional grocery space and is now in over 300 stores across Western Canada following this deal.

“Our goal is to focus on the highest quality, clean label, plant-based, and purposeful ingredients in our tahini sauces, which are very versatile, on trend, and can be used on any foods,” said Secret Foods’ founder and creator Anna Jane Daklala. “This is a really exciting opportunity to step out of the local Calgary area and branch into Western Canada with Save-On-Foods.”

After launching Secret Foods in March 2021, Calgary native Daklala saw early success with retail deals despite an operationally challenging first year due to major supply chain issues and cost increases around production and freight. Landing deals with Calgary Co-op, Sobeys and Safeway AB, Lina’s Italian Market and the Italian Centre Shop led to other high-profile opportunities like participating in Arlene Dickinson’s Venturepark Labs business accelerator program, and Shopify’s invite-only Shopify for Startups program.

“I’m proud to have started this company in Alberta,” said Daklala. “This company has brought a part of my childhood to life with a fresh take. Secret Foods offers a completely unique, Mediterranean-inspired product line. There is nothing else like it on the grocery shelves.”