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Vendor Spotlight: EMKAO Foods

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VENDOR SPOTLIGHT

Keep an eye out for our Vendor Spotlight feature where we bring you short interviews with our amazing vendors!

This Week: EMKAO Foods

Find them online here and on Instagram here.

From EMKAO’s Website:

“When our founder and CEO, Ayissi, arrived in Canada in 2016, she harnessed her love of chocolate and marketing background to launch EMKAO Foods. EMKAO brings cocoa beans from Kotou Farm to Mission, BC, where they are processed into chocolate ingredients for customers seeking premium quality and directly traceable products.

Today, our teams in Cameroon and BC share a common vision of elevating communities – and chocolate – through traceable and sustainable products.”

Photo of EMKAO’s cocoa display!

Interview completed with Ayissi, EMKAO’s owner and CEO!

How did your business start?

Our business started from a conversation I had with parents in Cameroon telling me about the challenges they are facing with the family plantation that year. They reminded me about the work of my grand-parents and what they have tried to accomplish. I felt compelled and wanted to support the best way I could.
 
What is your favourite part about selling at farmers markets?
Sharing my passion with my community, seeing the support from my community . And, being able to be part of the change.
 
What is one piece of advice you would give to someone considering starting their own small business?
Always focus on your vision. No matter how hard it will get.

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Thanks, Ayissi! We appreciate you joining us this season! 

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Land Acknowledgement

Our market is grateful to operate on the unceded land of the Qayqayt, Kwikwetlem, and other Halkomelem speaking Peoples. We acknowledge that colonialism has made invisible their histories and connections to the land. We acknowledge the incredible gift this land is to our market and BC Agriculture. We commit to the ongoing work of decolonization and allyship.