We are the Canadian operation of KeHE Distributors, a leading U.S. distributor of natural and specialty food products, and one of the top growth partners for companies that want to elevate their brand and build customer demand.
We’re not just distributors. We like to think of ourselves as curators. After all, you can’t do this job without an appreciation for quality, solid instincts and, of course, good taste.
And like a curator who carefully selects items for their exhibitions, we’ve assembled a tasteful collection of products to delight customers and retailers looking for new experiences. We’ve gone to great lengths to venture out of our own backyards and bring home the best the world has to offer.
Life is about exploring adventurous, authentic and fulfilling experiences. And nothing embodies our portfolio like these words. It’s how we’ve become Canada’s number-one growth partner for the F&B industry—from end to end.
The roots of our company date back to the end of World War II. Fuelled by Canadians returning home from the War and the rise in European immigration, many specialty goods distributors were not set up for the increasing demand for authentic European foods. Fast forward to 1999, when Tree of Life entered the natural foods business in Canada and substantially accelerated growth. Through a long history of acquisitions, we have become the industry leader we are today.
In 2019, Lisa was voted one of the top 100 Most Influential Women in Supply Chain. Her diversified professional experience has taken her through many positions including President of Gordon Food Service Ontario.
Patrick has more than 20 years of experience in senior executive roles. He has held the position of VP of Supply Chain and Supplier Relations at UNFI Canada and has served on the board of Canadian Organic Trade Association (COTA).
Christopher has worked for various industries and multinational organizations. He is skilled in IT strategy, mergers & acquisitions, core system transformation and e-commerce.
Tom’s 32 years of food service management experience with tier-one companies like Unilever-Best Foods, Starbucks, E.D. Smith, Sara Lee and Tyson Foods has served him well in managing the Tree of Life National Foodservice group with our Broker Partners.
Ricky brings over 14 years of finance experience with him. He served some of Canada’s largest organizations. He most recently worked as a Senior Director of Finance at Lactalis, one of Canada’s largest CPG organizations. He led a team of 70 finance professionals, spanning 8 departments. Ricky was responsible for the finance integration of two large acquisitions in recent years.
Henry has 25+ years of CPG experience spanning across finance, category, trade, systems, field and account sales leadership roles. His overall business acumen combined with his passion for people & performance serve him and Tree of Life well.
Francesco brings his experience of various roles within sales, brand management, marketing, and supply chain. He has long rooted relationships with vendors small and large across North America and Europe.
Litsa brings over 20 years of experience in Human Resources and supporting companies through change, growth and creating an impactful culture. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Industrial Relations from the University of Toronto and a Masters in Human Resources Management from York University along with her CHRP designation.
We’re a Canadian company that’s proud to serve a variety of markets across the country.
What I like the most about Tree of Life is that they share the passion for our brand. They feel it is theirs, they are genuinely interested in it and they understand our goals. That makes it easy to work together. As a result, our retail business has grown 800% in the past 6 years.
In this ever-changing market, Tree of Life stands out with their forward-thinking approach. Over our 40-year partnership, their unwavering commitment, passion, and deep understanding of the Canadian retail scene have been evident. We're proud to be associated with a partner that not only understands the industry but actively creates opportunities for us suppliers to showcase our products and services to the Canadian retailers.
Tree Of Life stands out as a top tier partner for Walker's Shortbread due to their commitment over so many years. For over 40 years, Walker's and Tree of Life have worked closely to develop our mutual business in the Canadian market. Tree of Life have consistently demonstrated unparalleled expertise and dedication in their field. Their extensive experience demonstrates their credentials and highlights the opportunity for brands looking to develop their business in Canada. We greatly value the guidance and support that Tree of Life have provided and are looking forward to the next 40 years as we set our shared goals and vision for the Walker's brand.
Partnering with TOL made us nervous since we don’t give an exclusive, but it’s been fantastic! We were having trouble growing our brand and distribution in Canada. They’ve truly partnered with us and act as if they own part of our company. They put their own money into promotions, they’re proactive and they’re fun to deal with. We went from about 10,000/yr to about 500,000/yr. We LOVE TOL!
What I like the most about Tree of Life is that they share the passion for our brand. They feel it is theirs, they are genuinely interested in it and they understand our goals. That makes it easy to work together. As a result, our retail business has grown 800% in the past 6 years.
In this ever-changing market, Tree of Life stands out with their forward-thinking approach. Over our 40-year partnership, their unwavering commitment, passion, and deep understanding of the Canadian retail scene have been evident. We're proud to be associated with a partner that not only understands the industry but actively creates opportunities for us suppliers to showcase our products and services to the Canadian retailers.
Tree Of Life stands out as a top tier partner for Walker's Shortbread due to their commitment over so many years. For over 40 years, Walker's and Tree of Life have worked closely to develop our mutual business in the Canadian market. Tree of Life have consistently demonstrated unparalleled expertise and dedication in their field. Their extensive experience demonstrates their credentials and highlights the opportunity for brands looking to develop their business in Canada. We greatly value the guidance and support that Tree of Life have provided and are looking forward to the next 40 years as we set our shared goals and vision for the Walker's brand.
Partnering with TOL made us nervous since we don’t give an exclusive, but it’s been fantastic! We were having trouble growing our brand and distribution in Canada. They’ve truly partnered with us and act as if they own part of our company. They put their own money into promotions, they’re proactive and they’re fun to deal with. We went from about 10,000/yr to about 500,000/yr. We LOVE TOL!
Canada Cares provides opportunities for our employees to volunteer in our communities and abroad.
We work with local organizations in need like food banks, and respond to those affected by local and international disasters. Our team’s volunteer service and fundraising efforts significantly contribute to these causes.
Canada Cares supports our employees’ personal philanthropic efforts by providing funding.
Our goal is to help the people we serve by moving them from dependence to dignity, while at the same time moving our people from a mindset of success to significance. We measure our success by employee engagement. Collectively, our mission is to make a difference in the communities where we live and work.
Working with various associations ensures your brand reaches its full potential. Our association partnerships allow us to stay in touch with key decision makers and on top of emerging trends in our industry.
Through seminars, meetings and trade shows, we stay in the loop on current issues and opportunities in the industry, which is a critical component of the success of our vendor and retailer partners.
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