Local entrepreneurs Surria and Ameen Fadel have come a long way since selling their non-GMO salad dressings and pita chips at farmers' markets.
Since 2017, Cedar Valley Selections has expanded production and now sells its products at retailers like Whole Foods in the U.S.
Despite moving into the U.S. market, the business has kept its manufacturing operation in Oldcastle.
Now, it's picked up a $125,000 grand prize through the fourth annual TELUS #StandWithOwners program, one of five companies to do so. The funding will help scale up their operations from 5,000 sq. ft. to 10,000 sq. ft.
In January, the company also was awarded a $375,000 loan from the Federal Economic Development Agency Southern Ontario Fund.
"Being in the food and beverage industry, it's very, very cutthroat," said President and Founder Ameen Fadel at the time. "You're working on thin margins. When we first started, we had a vision to be the biggest pita manufacturer in North America."
