Hello! I’m Valerie. I have B.Sci. in Food Science from the University of Guelph and a decade of experience in CPG, including roles in R&D/product development, Quality Assurance, and Customer, Consumer, and Shopper Marketing. In 2010, I founded deKEFIR, an innovative quick service food establishment in Toronto’s PATH that served healthy kefir treats. Sadly, COVID hit in 2020 and forced the closure of my business. I took a few years off to stay home with my stepkids while helping them navigate the pandemic, but also to regroup and figure out how I want to use my skillset and my passion for connecting food and people.
As we all became increasingly aware of the rising costs of living and the extreme food insecurity experienced by Torontonians post-COVID, I was part of a one month artist intensive at Little Trinity Anglican Church in the fall of 2023. During that time, I developed prototypes for heathy shelf-stable meals that could be easily distributed and accessible to people in Toronto all year round. Since May 2024, volunteers at Little T have distributed over 400 meals in Corktown and PROVISIONS BY VALERIE has secured funding for another 1500 meals to distribute to the local community this fall and winter.
I’m partnered in this venture with my husband, Simon, who has spent over a decade in social work, having held positions in mental health facilities, residential treatment centres, and the Education and Community Partnership Program. He’s since been a professional photographer for close to 15 years.