Our Story
How it started...
A few years ago, Alia Sunderji was teaching a sustainable innovation class at Simon Fraser University. One of her students was researching the issue of food waste, and shared that British Columbia throws away tons of fruit and vegetables for cosmetic reasons. Perfectly good produce was going to the landfill instead of to consumers because of a small bump or bruise.
Share the opportunity
Alia saw an opportunity to rescue this "ugly" produce and turn it into something delicious. Chutneys are a staple in her East African home, and it clicked: She would turn discarded produce into tasty, homemade chutneys.
Beyond reducing food waste, Alia wanted to do something for her community. Her mother came to Canada as a Ugandan refugee, and she knew the struggle most newcomers face. So, she decided to hire newcomer refugees to give them their first Canadian work experience and a new community at Luv the Grub.
How it's going
In the four years since founding Luv The Grub, we've partnered with 8 local farms and produce markets to rescue over 19830 lbs of produce from the landfill. We’ve hired over 40 individuals through our paid employment training program. Our chutneys and spreads are sold in over 65 retail locations across Canada and the United States (and counting).
And everyday, we come together as makers and community members to spread love and sustainable living through the tastiest chutneys and spreads.
Here is our process!
Wondered about how we rescue fruit and make our chutneys? Check out this infographic! if you still have any question feel free to go to FAQs.