More Than a Tote Bag: The Story and Statement Behind "Canada Is Not For Sale"
When we first designed the Canada Is Not For Sale tote, I hoped the message would connect with people. But I have been truly overwhelmed by the response. It quickly became one of our most beloved products, and more importantly, it started a conversation. We’ve seen this unique canvas tote at farmers' markets, on university campuses, and in grocery store aisles across Canada, and every time, it feels like a quiet nod of shared understanding.
This tote has become so much more than an accessory. It’s a statement. And I wanted to share the story of what that statement truly means—to me, to our community, and to the people your purchase supports both here at home and around the world.
A Message That Sparked a Conversation
From the very beginning of my journey, the mission was about connection. It was about connecting the joy of cooking with the act of giving and connecting socially-conscious consumers with the talented artisans who make our products. The "Canada Is Not For Sale" message felt like another form of connection—a way to express a shared set of values without saying a word.
The reaction from our community has been incredible. It tells me that people are hungry for products that don't just look good, but feel good to carry—products that stand for something meaningful.
What "Canada Is Not For Sale" Means to Me
To me, "Canada Is Not For Sale" is not a political slogan. It’s a statement of Canadian values. It’s about celebrating and protecting the things that can't be bought or sold: our sense of community, our cultural diversity, our healthcare, our natural landscapes, and our commitment to taking care of one another.
It’s a belief in a society where compassion is a currency and where our collective well-being is our greatest asset. It’s a quiet reminder that the fabric of our nation is woven from much more than commerce; it’s woven from kindness, generosity, and a shared responsibility to leave this place better than we found it. These are the very values that drive our social enterprise Canada and inspired me to create a company that could unite food lovers to fight hunger.
A Canadian Statement with a Canadian Impact: Supporting Second Harvest
It was essential that a tote bag that gives back with such a proudly Canadian message had a direct and tangible impact right here at home. That's why every purchase of the "Canada Is Not For Sale" Tote is directly linked to our incredible Canadian charity partner, Second Harvest. This makes it one of the most meaningful ethical gifts you can get.
Rescuing Food, Feeding People
Second Harvest is Canada's largest food rescue organization. Their mission is brilliant in its simplicity and profound in its impact: they rescue perfectly good, unsold food from across the supply chain—from farms, manufacturers, and retailers—and redirect it to thousands of charities and non-profits across the country. This work simultaneously reduces food waste, a major contributor to greenhouse gases, and provides nutritious meals to people experiencing food insecurity.
How Your Tote Fights Hunger Here at Home
When you choose this tote, you actively support local communities. You are helping to fund Second Harvest's vital work, ensuring that good food ends up on plates, not in landfills. You’re supporting families in your own backyard, reinforcing the very idea that this tote proclaims: that we are a country that looks out for its own.
A Global Promise: Crafted with Integrity and Purpose
While the tote’s message and impact are proudly Canadian, its story begins in the hands of talented artisans across the globe. It was crucial that this product was made with the same integrity and purpose that defines all of our fair trade bags and kitchen linens.
Made with Pride in Delhi
Each one of these totes is handcrafted with care in Delhi, India, by women from marginalized communities. Through our commitment to ethical production, we empower women artisans by providing them with a safe work environment, paid training, income security, and a fair, living wage. On the hangtag of every product, you’ll find the signature of the woman who made it—a personal connection that transforms this tote from an object into a story of empowerment.
The Power of Sustainable Materials
This eco-friendly tote isn’t just made ethically; it’s made responsibly. We use high-quality, recycled, and natural canvas to ensure it can handle everything from a trip to the market to your daily commute, all while minimizing its environmental footprint. It’s a product designed to last, embodying our stand against the "fast fashion" mentality and in favor of quality and purpose.
A Tote That Carries Our Values
This single canvas tote tells the entire Cooks Who Feed story. It carries a message of national pride and social consciousness. It carries the promise of hunger relief for your Canadian neighbors. And it carries the story of empowerment for the woman who crafted it with her own hands.
It’s proof that a simple, everyday choice can create a ripple effect of positive change. Thank you for being a part of it.
Carry the message. Shop the "Canada Is Not For Sale" Tote and become a part of the story.