With Easter coming up this week, a Toronto-based chocolate factory is getting some praise online as a local alternative to imported brands amid the trade war, and although it is not Canadian owned, it does support local.
Cadbury chocolate is receiving some praise online for producing many of its treats in a historic plant located at the College and Dufferin intersection in Toronto.
On Threads, a user pointed out the factory and said they worked there for three years, and encouraged people to support the chocolate brand as Easter approaches.
“The employees at this plant are devoted to producing quality products. They are long tenured and some of the most wonderful people I’ve come across in my career. I worked out of that plant for 3 yrs and know first hand that food quality is paramount. Please support Cadbury Chocolate this Easter season,” the user said.
View on Threads
In the comments, other users chimed in to support the business, highlighting its initiatives to help local communities, and adding that Cadbury could be a great alternative for Easter in light of the trade that is prompting Canadians to avoid American goods.
Read More
“Thanks for sharing, I know what the Easter bunny will be bringing to my house,” one user added.
“My mother lived nearby in the 1930-40s. She always talked about getting the ‘free bits’ and how wonderful it was for the kids who didn’t have much money,” another user said.
“I did. Also purchased a big order from Purdy’s, but avoided the Hershey eggs like the plague,” a different user also weighed in.
“I have been trying as best I can to support even before this tariff stuff started. ❤️🇨🇦,” another user also commented.
But, as pointed out by some users in the comments, Cadbury isn’t actually a Canadian company, although it has a nearly 30-year history in the country.
The chocolaterie dates back to 1824, when John Cadbury opened the first shop in Birmingham, U.K., and in 2012 American snack company Mondelez International purchased Cadbury
According to Mondelez Spokesperson Brianna Eshraghi, the downtown Toronto factory was purchased by Cadbury in the mid 90s, employing hundreds of Canadian workers, and generously supporting local initiatives.
“The factory on Gladstone has a long history in Toronto since it opened in 1906 by William Neilson. The factory was purchased by Cadbury in 1996 and there are currently over 350 employees working there. In addition, the factory is home to the Mondelez Canada Head Office,” she told Now Toronto in a statement on Monday.
Eshraghi explained that this single 400,000-sq-ft. factory produces half a million chocolate goods annually, including OREOs, Ritz, Sour Patch Kids, Halls, Crispers, and more, 80 per cent of which are sold in Canada and distributed by Canadian suppliers.
Mondelez Canada holds four other factories in the GTAH, which employ over 2,500 residents, and its parent company also supports local initiatives, such as food banks and non-profit organizations.
“Mondelez Canada is a long-standing partner of Food Banks Canada, having donated 22M meals since 2013 to affiliate food banks across the country. Generosity is at the heart of the Cadbury brand,” Eshraghi said.
“We are passionate about supporting communities. From supporting local organizations like the North York Harvest, the MLSE Foundation, NHLPA’s Goals and Dreams Program, the United Way GTA with funding and products, to hosting neighbourhood events, like the ‘Gladstone Halloween Haunted Hotel,’” she added.
The statement also revealed that Cadbury will be making an “exciting announcement” next week, saying that customers should stay tuned.
