Certifications & Awards
Kaslo Sourdough’s Sourdough Spaghetti wins Silver for the BC Food and Beverage Product of the Year Award 2021
The awards gala was held virtually for a second year in a row, and that didn’t take away from the joy of winning silver for the Product of the Year from BC Food and Beverage! The Lettrari family had a lot of fun tuning in to watch the awards show that was hosted by Vancouver’s Fred Lee (@fredabouttown on Instagram) online on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021.
The Product of the Year Award considers several different criteria, including: why it’s unique, why and how we developed it, the taste, appeal of the packaging, innovation, uniqueness, and positive environmental/sustainable impact. If these criteria sound familiar, it’s because we were up for the Product of the Year Award in 2015, when we we won bronze!
This year, Kaslo Sourdough travelled to Vancouver mid-August to deliver a “Dragon’s Den” style pitch to five judges to speak to those criteria. A big big thanks to BC Food and Beverage for being so supportive of our company and products over the many years now, and to the judges for their engagement and great questions.
Congratulations to the other finalists and to Gnubees+ by GnuSante Creations for winning the gold!
Silvio Lettrari, Top Finalist for the 2019 BC Food & Beverage Leadership Award
Kaslo Sourdough is very pleased to celebrate that Silvio Lettrari, owner of Kaslo Sourdough, was nominated as one of the top three finalists for the BC Food Processor’s Association’s 2019 Leadership Awards (see our finalist video linked)!
The award is given to someone with over 10 years experience with in an industry that leads and inspires others to take on new initiatives to learn and grow, and who is committed to developing and mentoring future leaders and the growth and development of their organizations, and who sets a high standard of integrity through leading by example. We know Silvio to be all of these things, but it’s especially wonderful to be recognized by peers in the food production industry.
While Silvio did not take home the final award, we are also pleased to congratulate Craig Ogilvie of ConAgra Foods Canada for taking home the gold! The final announcement was made at the BC Food Processor’s Food and Beverage Awards Gala on September 18, 2019.
Joyous Health Approved 2018/2019
Joyous Health, curated by Joy McCarthy and her team, presents that align with her philosophy of sharing healthy foods that help people live healthier lives. Find our story on her blog here.
2018 $15K Small Business Marketing Giveaway from Bell Media
Bell Media loves supporting small businesses! Kaslo Sourdough applied to this program, and won! We’re benefitting from a custom designed marketing campaign that includes support for radio advertising, access to experts with a full digital suite of tools, geo-targeted display advertising, and more. Look to hear us on Okanagan airwaves in the fall of 2018!
Honourable Mention: Silvio Lettrari Investment Agriculture Foundation (IAF) Award of Excellence for Innovation in Agriculture & Agri-Food 2018
“The Award of Excellence celebrates BC’s agriculture and agri-food leasers who have implemented specific projects or initiatives leading to economic, environmental or social benefits to British Columbia and the industry in general, or to a specific sector.”
We are overwhelmed with joy that Kaslo Sourdough’s owner, Silvio Lettrari received an honourable mention for this award, and for his research project “Examining the Potential Health Benefits of Sourdough Pasta” in collaboration with the IAF and Dr. Jane Shearer at the University of Calgary.
Western Living Magazine 2018 ‘Foodie of the Year’ Finalist
“…What it all comes down to is an unstoppable passion for food. Not everyone gets credit for the tireless work and effort that goes into making the West one of the most delicious places to live, and that is why, once again, it is our distinct pleasure to highlight those star foodies as our 40 finalists for this year’s Foodies of the Year. We tip our hats to you, foodies—congrats!”
Owner, Silvio Lettrari was named a finalist for the 2018 ‘Foodie of the Year’!
Vegan Product of the Year 2017 from the Veg Expo in Vancouver
A panel of vegan foodies and food experts in Vancouver to assess products based on a variety of factors, including taste, quality, texture, and more. Our hemp pasta was selected as top product of the year from dozens of products!
Joyous Health Approved 2017
Joyous Health, curated by Joy McCarthy and her team, presents that align with her philosophy of sharing healthy foods that help people live healthier lives.
Top 10 Finalist for the Premiere’s People’s Choice Award 2017
The People’s Choice Award recognizes a small business that is at the heart of its community. Small Business BC Industry awards a business that has the unwavering support of its community by going above and beyond.
We are honoured by all the support we received from our community far and wide, with enough votes cast our way to land us in the top 10 of all businesses across our wonderful Province. Thank you all!
Top 10 Business People in the Kootenays 2017
Our General Manager, Heidi Lettrari, was recognized as a top business person for her
Kaslo Sourdough GM, Heidi Lettrari, October 2016.enthusiasm, tenacity, adaptability and contributions to business in the West Kootenay Region of British Columbia. Awarded by the Kootenay Business Magazine, we are thrilled that her talent has been recognized, and that she joins a great group of peers who have also had their contributions recognized. It’s not easy trying to find a way to build a successful business in a region of the Province where competition is tough, and business conditions can be challenging; Kaslo Sourdough is very grateful for the contributions Heidi makes on a daily basis.
To read an interview with Heidi about some of her business insights, see here.
Star Women Award 2016
Kaslo Sourdough’s GM, Heidi Lettrari received one of sixteen 2016 Star Women in Grocery Awards from the Canadian Grocery Magazine in recognition of her leadership, innovation, and dedication to working in the grocery industry. You can read the write-up featuring her nomination.
To meet all members of the team behind Kaslo Sourdough, click here.
BC Food Processor’s Association Awards of 2015
Kaslo Sourdough won TWO awards at the BC Food Processor’s “Taste of Success” Convention in 2015:
1. 2015 Innovation Award
Our business was awarded the Innovation Award because of the novel application of sourdough to ferment pasta: applying an old technology to make a new, health-promoting product.
See our video below (Silvio had pneumonia – pardon his voice!):
2. 2015 Bronze – Product of the Year Award
Heidi headed to Vancouver to pitch our pasta as a Dragon’s Den style award judging event: 5 minutes to cover all the highlights about why our pasta is an all around amazing product. The criteria included: why it’s unique, why and how we developed it, the taste, appeal of the packaging, innovation, uniqueness, and positive environmental/sustainable impact.
‘Nexty Award Nominee and Winner 2015
These awards, given out at the Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, California, identify “What’s coming next” in health food products. Judged on the criteria of health of the product, innovation, inspiration and integrity, this award is for products that take a new approach to sustainability.
Our pastas definitely fit the bill, and we were so thrilled to receive this award!
Non-GMO Project Verification 2015
Kaslo Sourdough is excited to announce that all varieties of our sourdough pastas have been Non-GMO Project Verified as of January 2015.
The Non-GMO project verifies non-GMO (genetically modified organism) foods and products. This was a lengthy and rigorous process, and we are glad to have it completed.
We take great care in using the best ingredients for our products, which include the finest Canadian flours, our natural spring water, and incorporating our natural sourdough culture that has been thriving for over 20 years.
Best Places to Eat & Drink Awards 2015
Kaslo Sourdough Bakery Bronze Award by the Kootenay Business Magazine
Best Places to Eat & Drink Awards 2014
Kaslo Sourdough Bakery Gold Award by Kootenay Business Magazine
