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Sustainability

Sustainability for us isn’t a trend—it’s a responsibility. That means:

Sourcing seasonal, local ingredients that support Canadian growers
Using reusable packaging systems (first in Ottawa!)
Delivering meals in electric vehicles
Choosing thoughtful partners, from wine suppliers to beef producers
Hiring a team of diverse ages, backgrounds, and lived experiences

We believe in creating a food system that nourishes without depleting, and using a business model that lasts for the next generation.

Green Packaging & More

A Friendlier Solution!

Want to help raise money for local charities? Return your un-scanned Friendlier containers to the Red Apron and we will scan and donate the money to local charities including the Centretown Community Food Centre, Parkdale Food Centre and the Red Apron Community Fund.

Re-usable packaging from Friendlier represents a giant leap forward for our business and our planet because our clients can receive a financial incentive to return the packaging for re-use!

How?

Purchase in-store or receive meal delivery from the Red Apron in the new packaging.
Using a simple app downloaded from the Google Play or Apple app stores, you’ll scan a QR code on the bottom of your package or enter the code on in your account on the Friendlier website.
Clean and return the container to a Friendlier collection bin, including those located at the Red Apron. If you are a Red Apron delivery client, you can leave your washed containers, stacked and sorted, in your cooler or on your front porch for our driver to collect.
Friendlier Company will wash and sanitize the containers and returns them to the Red Apron (using electric vehicles) to be re-used.
You’ll receive a refund for the cost of packaging, or direct the money to be donated to a charity of your choice.

Electric Vehicle Delivery Fleet

In 2018, we replaced our one gas powered vehicle with two zero emission fully electric vehicles, which are used to deliver meals to our clients and run errands for our business. Today, our fleet of 5 fully electric vehicles deliver meals to over 170 homes in Ottawa on and average Fresh Meal day. We haven’t had to visit a gas pump in over 8 years!

Container Sizes

When we package items for sale in our retail store, we use the smallest container and squeeze the most food into it that we can. Our goal is not to make the food in the container ‘appear’ to be more but to use the least amount of packaging! Our clients know that the portions are generous, and new clients are always surprised by how much food we manage to squeeze into each container.

Food That Supports People – From Farmers to Families

We invest in a sustainable local food system. By sourcing from nearby farms, growers, and producers, we ensure our meals support people across the supply chain—producers, kitchen staff, and the customers we serve.

Local Multiplier Effect – Sourcing Local

We work with amazing local farmers, producers and makers to keep as much money as possible in the local community.

For every $100 spent at a locally-owned, independent restaurant in Ottawa, approximately $65–$70 stays within the local Eastern Ontario economy.

Compare this to: Only $30 staying local when spent at a national chain restaurant.
The Local Multiplier Effect: This results in an economic impact roughly 2.25x higher for independent dining compared to chains.

Eco-Friendly Suppliers

Our coffee supplier uses solar power to roast their fairly traded product, and it’s delivered to our door in their own fully electric vehicle. Their packages are 100% compostable, and we keep our spent coffee grains for them to pick up and they use them to fertilize their gardens. This is just one example of the innovated small businesses that we choose to support.

Ontario Bike Destination

We are a destination for Ontario by Bike, providing easy access for cyclists, and a safe place to lock your bicycle on the City Bike Stands located on Gladstone Avenue, right in front of our store.

Bulk Ingredients

We source all of our ingredients in bulk, in their purest form. For example, loose vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, sugar, flour come into our shop in cardboard boxes, or large paper bags weighing anywhere from 10 to 22 kilos. Meat is sourced directly from the farmer and is packaged in bulk and boxed for delivery.

Bring Your Own Bag Program

We encourage our clients to bring their own bag. If they forget, we charge 25 cents for paper bags, which are the only shopping bags we use. We also carry a wide selection of printed reusable canvas bags, and Hinza bags, made of compostable plastic.