Healthy snacks from delicious plant-based foods
In the 1970’s there was a memorable Life Cereal commercial with the catchphrase, “Try it, you’ll like it Mikey.” Indeed Mikey did like it, and such is the case when you sample the plant-based products from Humble Seedz Inc. in Mono.
Owned by Liz Long and her husband Dale, the company makes plant-based Cream Cheeze, Saucy Dipz and Hummus.
“We love to do consumer shows where people can try our plant-based products,” said Liz Long. “People hear dairy-free, nut-free, gluten-free and healthy, and the question we are often asked is ‘then what’s in it?’ Then when people try it, they are totally surprised by how flavourful and delicious our products taste.”
Plant-based and spreadable Humble Seedz Cream Cheeze comes in Original, Garlic & Herb, Smokey Queso and Sriracha flavours. Saucy Dipz flavours include Red Pepper, Ranch, Caesar and Dill. Their newest product is an all-natural, sesame-free, oil-free hummus available in Roasted Garlic and Red Pepper with new flavours being introduced this fall.
Liz and her husband have about 25 years experience in the dairy business. Her family’s business was Woolwich Goat Dairy (the dairy sold in 2015) where her husband and her worked together.
“We had a relative who went vegan due to a health issue and within 10 months they saw amazing results in terms of improved health,” she said. “In 2018 we began our journey into eating more plant-based foods but soon realized that several of the products contained cashews or some sort of nut-based products. Our daughters were in Grades 3 and 5 at the time and we realized we couldn’t pack these products in their school lunch boxes. We tried a few products, and my husband Dale said, I can make it better.”
The quest began to make a plant-based, nut-free, flavour-packed cream cheese that was versatile enough to spread on bagels or be used in recipes. Relying on his cheese-making skills and extensive research, Dale started experimenting by fermenting sunflower seeds.
“Sunflower seeds are high in protein, fibre, vitamin E and rich in healthy fats and this way we were able to use them in a product our kids liked that they could take to school which is a big part of why we started making the products,” said Liz. “Sunflower seeds contain polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. They also contain antioxidants and anticarcinogens which may help protect the immune system. They are not only nutritious, but they create a smooth, creamy texture similar to original cream cheese. Our products are unique in that sunflower seeds are used like how milk is used to make cheese. We use old world cheesemaking skills with modern methods to give our products that delicious cheesy taste.”
The couple tested their new plant-based ‘cheeze’ on their toughest critics—their two young daughters, who loved it. In the beginning they started out offering samples and selling at farmers’ markets and folks loved it, so they decided to give it a try and start a business. The products were first sold at Foodland, Sobeys and Harmony Whole Foods Market in Orangeville. Now they ship nationwide with products sold in approximately 750 stores including Foodland, Sobeys and Whole Foods Market and other retail chains. Their goal is to be in over 2,000 retail locations across Canada.
Humble Seedz Inc. has a 3,800 square foot factory in Mono. It’s truly a family business including Dale, Liz and their daughters, 19-year-old Olivia and 16-year-old Erica, who help with special events. The company is proud of their HACCP certification, a globally recognized food safety standard which ensures compliance with Canadian and U.S. food regulations.
“We are proud to be a Canadian company with products made and sold in Canada,” said Liz. “Our products are made using 100 per cent Canadian grown sunflower seeds. We buy direct from sunflower growers in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, along with buckwheat from Quebec. Our products are as Canadian as the Maple Leaf.”