Meet Jenna Empey
artisanal food entrepreneur | agrarian | small business creative visionary
Jenna has over 15 years of diverse experience in the Canadian food and beverage industry, agriculture community and in artisanal small business development
From the beginning stages of your company scaling up recipes, sourcing ingredients and packaging, to growing an artisan brand for distribution and national sales; Jenna’s expertise can help successfully and authentically guide you
In 2012, Jenna founded Pyramid Ferments; a Canadian flagship brand of unique and distinct fermented foods and beverages. Kimchi, sauerkraut, kombucha, kvass, fire cider (and the best pickles you’ll ever try) were all crafted and created by Jenna. Maintaining traditional methods and ‘slow food’ philosophy of fermenting food while also serving the Ontario and Canadian grocery and health food markets was a unique challenge but one that earned her her first Premiers’ Award for Agrifood Innovation. Jenna’s work was recognized for her efforts in revitalizing the Canadian fermented food industry. Jenna built a fermented foods and beverage brand that was carried in grocery and health food retailers such as Whole Foods, Metro, Sobeys and many more
Her previous and ongoing experience in the Organic agriculture community gave Jenna unique perspectives on creating authentic local agricultural partnerships and developing creative methods on closing the loop on food waste. These efforts earned her her second Premiers’ Award for Agrifood Innovation.
Jenna’s expertise can help successfully and authentically guide you in your business from sustainable sourcing, mindful product development and creative brand building to fine-tuning and optimization
During the 10 years she led Pyramid Ferments, before selling the company in 2022, Jenna was also awarded Quinte Young Entrepreneur of the year and was chosen as a Canadian delegate for the international ‘Slow Food Terra Madre’ gathering in Turin, Italy
Jenna also founded and operated The Ontario Fermentation Festival, Canada’s largest fermentation themed festival. A wildly successful, event designed to spotlight and celebrate the Canadian fermented food industry
Jenna has also incorporated her small business experience into workshops, speaking events and small business mentorship. Contributing to a thriving local small business community is of high importance to Jenna
Having previously operated a high volume flagship food business in Ontario; Jenna has a keen understanding of the steps to business success, research and development, financial management, marketing, economic challenges and customer service.
Maintaining excellence in these areas while also divesting from outdated patriarchal capitalism, burn out and unnecessary debt load are Jenna’s specialty and skill set