In Salmon Arm, a unique initiative has emerged that addresses food waste by transforming rescued apples into vegan hunnie -- a unique honey alternative. What started as a short visit to the area turned into a mission when it became apparent that many apples in local orchards were falling and going to waste.
After three weeks of picking apples, a plan was formed to create a vegan honey alternative - hunnie, utilizing apples that are not perfect for retail due to their appearance. The unique product offers the beautiful consistency and taste of traditional honey, but with a plant-based twist.
Venessa realized that sweetness doesn’t have to come at the cost of our planet or its creatures. Fueled by this revelation and partnering with Executive Chef Jake, they started "Mindful Füd," with a mission to encourage consumers to be more conscious of their food choices.
It seeks to appeal to a broad audience, including those who may not typically choose plant-based products.
The idea is that individual actions, although small, can collectively make a significant difference in the fight against food waste.
The journey has been deeply personal, and then a blow came when the business was tragically lost to an arson fire, a painful experience that ignited determination rather than despair.
The local community stepped up in a big way by raising $20,000 in support which left Venessa and Jake deeply moved.
By producing hunnie from apples that would otherwise go unharvested, Mindful Füd aims to educate people about food sustainability and inspire more mindful consumption.
The hope is to create not only a delicious vegan product but also to foster greater awareness and engagement in reducing food waste within the community and beyond.
To learn more or to order hunnie, visit https://mindfulfud.com/. To learn more, watch the video below.