For context, I’m going to need to buy cereal at some point (even though I prefer oats), but this applies to anything, really.
So many of these “buy Canadian” websites will list companies like Post and Kellogg’s, because they have manufacturing here.
But there are also Canadian-owned companies. Some “have manufacturing in Canada or the US”, and there’s no guarantee that the ingredients used are even from Canada.
So… when there are no Canadian companies who make products in Canada, which alternative gives the most impact (i.e. keeps more money within Canada)?
Is it better to buy products that are made in Canada, even if the company is American owned.
Or should priority be on Canadian companies, regardless of where products are made?*
*I’m totally fine supporting products made outside of the country, if I have to. But American made is at the bottom of my list.
For my wife and I, I could likely make our own mix of muesli cereal from Canadian and NotAmerican ingredients. But our grandkids are used to regular cereal brands, so we need to accommodate.
What have you guys been doing?
CO-OP’s house brands co-op gold and centsibles are often Made in Canada.
However, I just checked the bag of their raisin bran cereal I have in the cupboard and unfortunately it is a product of the USA… probably made in the same plant as Two Scoops. I imagine we may see more of their line shift to Canada now though.
It’s a tough call. In my head,my ideal is obviously Canadian owned and made. After that, as long as one of those two conditions is satisfied, I consider it a medium win and then as long as it’s not American owned/made (any other country) minor win.
my ideal is obviously Canadian owned and made. After that, as long as one of those two conditions is satisfied
But that’s the dilemma. Which one benefits Canadians the most?
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Canadian company, but products are made in the States.
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American company, but products are made in Canada.
Both are employing people on both sides of the border, but which keeps the most money within Canada?
Obviously, not having Americans involved in either is better, but these two problems come up very frequently, and until other alternatives exist, I’d like to know which is the lesser of the two evils.
Products made in Canada would likely keep more money in Canada.
Corporate profits are usually a relatively small percentage of costs. If most of those costs are in Canada (capital for the factory, wages for labour and presumably somewhat more likely to involve Canadian goods) then yeah, operated in Canada should return more here.
I’d also use the Buy Beaver to check, someone may have done the homework and figured out the source for the manufacturing/ingredients.
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Nature’s Path Organic is from Vancouver, and has a bunch of food products, including a bunch of different cereals.
If you can’t find a Canuckian product, get a Euro one, or South American.
Nature’s Path Organic is from Vancouver
That’s the brand that prompted me to write the post. I do see that they are a Canadian company, but their website says:
"Our main production facilities are in Delta, British Columbia; Blaine, Washington; and Sussex, Wisconsin.
All our products are produced and packaged in the US or Canada."
So, if I’m going to pay 2-3x more for their cereal, knowing that it could be made in the States (employing American workers, rather than Canadians), is it better to support the company, or the manufacturer?
Would buying Kellogg’s cereal at 1/3 of the price, but actually Made in Canada, be better or worse?
I’m finding the same for all kinds of products. Dainty’s is “proudly Canadian”, but much of the rice they sell is actually from American red-states (the ones who voted for Trump). Not cool!
But our grandkids are used to regular cereal brands, so we need to accommodate.
I don’t mean to come off as rude, but when I was a kid, I would eat what I was given, or I would go hungry.
Can’t you make them something healthier with Canadian ingredients? Eggs, oatmeal, or even home-made pancakes would probably be better in terms of cost and nutrition.
Yes, I agree. We make most of our food at home from simple ingredients, but there’s sometimes a need for packaged goods.
But that’s beside the point. I want to apply the most impact to any product, not just cereal. That was only a recent example.
Ya holy fuck tell the kids no once in awhile folks
My ex-girlfriend left for the USA with our son a few years ago (I live in Europe). Since then, he’s done nothing but play Xbox all day. Now he’s eleven. He gets up in the morning, plays for an hour, goes to school and then plays until he goes to bed. It’s cruel! She doesn’t care, she’s happy to have some peace and quiet. When I talk to him about it, he just blocks me so I can’t see when he’s online. Big respect to everyone who limits this with their children! You’re doing the right thing!
