People Food

What People Food does

People Food Inc. is a Calgary, Alberta-based plant-based food manufacturer founded in 2010 by Brent Boeckx and Linda Nainaar. The company produces two core SKUs: the Know Meat Patty, a gluten-free, vegan burger patty made from 17 whole-food ingredients (legumes, grains, vegetables, seeds, and spices) with 6g protein and 6g fiber per 4oz patty; and the EhPizza Crusto!, an 11-inch gluten-free pizza crust built on an organic brown rice flour base formulated to resist sogginess under heavy toppings. Both products are positioned as allergen-free (gluten-free, vegan, soy-free, nut-free, corn-free, casein-free) and are produced in a HACCP-compliant Calgary facility. The company was originally conceived as a fresh-food retail concept but pivoted to gluten-free manufacturing after co-founder Brent Boeckx was diagnosed with celiac disease shortly before launch, and later (circa 2016) narrowed its product line to the current two SKUs.

The business operates a dual-channel wholesale model. Foodservice distribution is handled through three major Canadian distributors — Sysco Canada, Pratts Food Service, and Gordon Food Service (GFS) — reaching restaurants, caterers, and institutional buyers including hospitality (Marriott Calgary Airport), entertainment venues (Scotiabank Saddledome, Grey Eagle Casino), healthcare (Alberta Children's Hospital), and recreation (Canyon Meadows Golf Club). Retail-grocery penetration covers Sobeys, Calgary COOP, Safeway, IGA, Foodland, and Community Natural Foods across at least five provinces (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan). Marketing is primarily content-driven through YouTube, Instagram, and a company vlog, emphasizing the founders' personal story and the 'real ingredients, not lab-made' positioning.

People Food is privately held and bootstrapped with no disclosed external institutional funding since founding. Revenue, headcount, and unit volumes are not disclosed; the company is led by two co-founders plus a finance lead ('Flo') and operates from a Calgary P.O. box address with outsourced manufacturing. Recent signals indicate deliberate expansion into consumer-pack retail and continued geographic rollout, while the proprietary spice blend ('Mom's Spices Secret Recipe') and allergen-free formulation constitute the company's primary technical differentiators against larger plant-based competitors.

Name

People Food

Legal name

People Food Inc.

Website

https://peoplefood.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

People Food Inc. is a Calgary-based, privately held manufacturer of two plant-based SKUs — the Know Meat Patty and EhPizza Crusto! — distributed across Canada via Sysco, Pratts, and GFS, serving foodservice operators, retailers, and allergen-restricted consumers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Plant-Based Frozen Foods

NAICS

Frozen Specialty Food Manufacturing (311412), Frozen Cakes, Pies, and Other Pastries Manufacturing (311813)

SIC

Canned, Frozen & Preservd Fruit, Veg & Food Specialties (2030), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Frozen Plant-Based & Vegetarian Meals (CRADADAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Frozen Pizza & Flatbreads (CRADADAB), Frozen Prepared Meat & Seafood Meals (AFANAFAC)

Keywords

• Plant-based food manufacturing
• Gluten-free vegan patties
• Allergen-free frozen foods
• Food service distribution
• Specialty food products

Headquarters

HQ city

Calgary

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Wholesale Food Service Distribution: Products sold in bulk cases to restaurants, caterers, and food service operators through Sysco Canada, Pratts Food Service, and Gordon Food Service (GFS) distributors. Know Meat Patty: 48 patties/case (option of 32 x 170g/6oz patty pucks). EhPizza Crusto: 25 crustos/case.
2. Retail Grocery Sales: Products sold through retail grocery chains including Sobeys, Calgary COOP, Safeway, IGA, Foodland, and independent retailers across Canada

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

People Food manufactures and distributes two plant-based, allergen-free frozen food products: the Know Meat Patty, a vegan burger patty made from 17 real, whole-food ingredients (legumes, whole grains, roasted vegetables, seeds, and a proprietary spice blend), and the EhPizza Crusto!, an 11-inch gluten-free, vegan pizza crust with a thin-crust flatbread texture. Both products are gluten-free, vegan, soy-free, nut-free, corn-free, and casein-free, and are produced in a HACCP-compliant facility. Sales occur through major food service distributors (Sysco Canada, Pratts, GFS) and retail grocery chains across Canada.

Product overview

People Food is a food manufacturing company offering two core plant-based products: the Know Meat Patty (a gluten-free, vegan burger patty made from 17 real ingredients including legumes, whole grains, and vegetables) and the EhPizza Crusto! (an 11-inch gluten-free, vegan pizza crust). Both products are designed for people with food allergies or those seeking healthier options, with certifications including gluten-free, vegan, soy-free, nut-free, and diabetic-friendly. Products are distributed through Sysco Canada, Pratts Food Service, and Gordon Food Service (GFS).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Know Meat Patty A gluten-free, vegan burger patty made from 17 real, whole-food ingredients including green lentils, brown rice, yellow split peas, sweet potato, carrots, dried onion, parsley, sunflower seeds, tapioca starch, sesame seeds, gluten-free oats, salt, ginger, curry, pepper, flax, and lemon juice. Per 4oz patty (113g): 165 calories, 6g protein, 6g fiber, with 42% daily value Vitamin A and 13% daily value Iron. Allergen-free (gluten-free, vegan, soy-free, nut-free, corn-free, casein-free), diabetic-friendly, can be cooked from frozen on flat tops or ovens, and stored frozen up to 6 months. Sold by the case (48 x 113g/4oz patties; option of 32 x 170g/6oz pucks) to food service operators and retail grocery.
• EhPizza Crusto! An 11-inch round gluten-free, vegan pizza crust with the unmistakable texture of a thin-crust flatbread. Base of organic brown rice flour keeps it nutritious and gives it a flatbread texture that will not get soggy, disintegrate, or droop under heavy toppings. Egg-free, casein-free, diabetic-friendly, and can be stored frozen up to 6 months. Sold by the case (25 x 350g crustos) to food service operators and retail grocery.

Quantifiable outcome

• Products can be stored frozen for up to 6 months
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sysco CanadacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary food service distributor partner enabling nationwide distribution of People Food products to restaurants, caterers, and food service operators. Orders placed through Sysco representatives.
• Pratts Food ServicecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional food service distributor enabling distribution of People Food products to restaurants and caterers. Orders placed through Pratts representatives.
• Gordon Food Service (GFS)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational food service distributor partner. GFS was the first distributor to sign on when no one was thinking about gluten-free and vegan food. Enables distribution to restaurants and caterers across Canada.
• Devour CateringminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCalgary-based catering company creating vegan dishes from Know Meat Patty including sliders, falafel, and meatballs for events and celebrations.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Impossible Foods: Plant-based burger and ground products sold into US/Canadian foodservice and retail. Comparable in category (frozen/cooked plant protein patties for restaurants and grocery) but focused on soy-based heme technology rather than allergen-free.
• Beyond Meat: US-based plant-based protein company selling frozen burger patties and grounds through grocery and foodservice. Direct overlap with People Food's Know Meat Patty in plant-based frozen burger category, though Beyond Meat is far larger and contains soy/gluten.
• Dr. Praeger's: Frozen veggie burgers, latkes, and plant-based frozen products sold through US grocery and foodservice. Closely comparable to People Food on frozen plant-based patty positioning and allergen-friendly product profile, with overlapping foodservice distribution model.
• Hilary's Eat Well: Allergen-free, gluten-free, vegan frozen veggie burgers and savory products sold through natural and grocery channels. Direct competitor in the niche 'real ingredients, allergen-free, plant-based' positioning that People Food also occupies.

Emerging players

• Cai & Pai (formerly Strong Roots): Plant-based frozen vegetable and meal products (e.g., hash browns, veggie burgers) sold through grocery in North America and Europe. Overlaps on frozen plant-based category and allergen-conscious positioning, but more recent entrant with broader vegetable-focused portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• Amy's Kitchen: Organic and natural frozen meals, pizzas, and plant-based entrees sold across grocery and foodservice. Directly comparable on the EhPizza Crusto! (frozen gluten-free pizza) and on allergen-friendly positioning.
• Yves Veggie Cuisine (Hain Celestial): Canadian-originated plant-based brand offering veggie burgers, deli slices, and grounds primarily through Canadian retail. Strong Canadian heritage and presence on Sobeys/Safeway-type shelves makes it a relevant domestic comparator to People Food.
• MorningStar Farms (Kellanova): Long-established plant-based frozen brand with broad portfolio of veggie burgers, patties, and grounds sold through US/Canadian grocery. Direct overlap with Know Meat Patty as a frozen plant-based burger option but much wider distribution and shelf presence.
• Gardein (Conagra Brands): Plant-based frozen and refrigerated portfolio including burger patties, tenders, grounds, and meatballs sold across North American grocery and foodservice. Competes with People Food in restaurant menus and freezer cases but covers a much broader SKU range under a CPG parent.

Regional players

• Sol Cuisine: Canadian plant-based frozen foods manufacturer (burgers, grounds, meals) sold primarily through Canadian grocery and foodservice. Most direct Canadian regional peer; competes in the same Sobeys/COOP/IGA retailers and similar distributor channels.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=1ANRiam4Z1k
• Instagraminstagram.com/peoplefood_
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/peoplefood

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about People Food