Ontario Woman Transforms Vegan Cheese Passion into Thriving Business

A woman from Ontario has turned her passion for vegan cheese into a successful business, establishing a brand that is now available in major grocery stores across North America. Margaret Coons launched Nuts For Cheese after struggling to find high-quality dairy-free options, and her products are now sold in retailers like Costco and Metro.

Inside a warehouse on the outskirts of London, Ontario, cheese wheels age on metal racks while stainless steel tanks hum in the background. Although the setting resembles a traditional dairy factory, it is anything but ordinary. Coons began her journey with a stall at a local farmers’ market, and her brand has since garnered significant recognition, including a Manufacturer Award from the London Chamber of Commerce.

“It’s pretty surreal,” Coons remarked about the growing popularity of her dairy-free products, which include creatively named items like Un-Brie-Lievable and Super Blue. She attributes her success to years of hard work and a commitment to quality.

Early Beginnings

Coons’ interest in cooking began when she became a vegetarian at the age of 12 and transitioned to veganism at 19. “I did not grow up in a vegetarian household, and so I started cooking at a pretty young age,” she explained. As she experimented with creating meals for herself, she recognized a lack of high-quality, organic, fermented, dairy-free products in grocery stores.

Rather than waiting for better options to emerge, Coons decided to create her own vegan cheese. She gained experience while working in a vegan restaurant in London, where she experimented with recipes during off-hours. This hands-on approach laid the foundation for her future endeavors.

“I made the product, I packaged the product, I drove it around to all the retailers,” she recalled. Coons took on every role, from production to delivery, as she introduced her cheese to an eager audience.

Expanding Production

As demand for her products grew, Coons moved operations from rented kitchen space to a larger facility, allowing her to scale production under the Nuts For Cheese brand. What began as a one-person operation has now expanded to a team of 40 individuals, all dedicated to the mission of creating high-quality vegan cheese.

“My favorite thing is the people that I work with,” said Alanmah Minarsky, a team lead at Nuts For Cheese. “Everybody’s always working together and collaborating.” Minarsky, who has been with the company for over two years, highlighted the ongoing evolution of the business, with new processes and systems being implemented regularly.

The transition to a larger facility has allowed the team to innovate in production while maintaining a collaborative culture. “It’s really nice to get your hands in on starting new processes and sharing ideas together,” Minarsky added.

Facing Challenges in the U.S. Market

As Nuts For Cheese began shipping products to the United States, Coons encountered new complexities, particularly related to cross-border shipping. “We send samples and direct-to-consumer small shipments across the border all the time,” she said. Adjustments to packaging and processes were necessary in response to evolving shipping requirements and supply chain challenges.

One significant challenge arose in August 2023 when the Trump administration ended the de minimis exemption, which had previously allowed goods valued under $800 USD to enter the U.S. without additional fees. Coons described this as a pivotal moment for her business. “It really felt like it could be the end of a lot of businesses like mine,” she said.

In response, she closely managed expenses and reworked parts of her supply chain. Coons noted a shift towards using Canadian suppliers, which she identified as a significant challenge but also a necessary adjustment to maintain business viability.

Despite these hurdles, Coons remains focused on her original goal: to create high-quality vegan cheese. The growth and challenges faced by Nuts For Cheese underscore the resilience and adaptability required to thrive in today’s competitive food industry.

As more consumers seek plant-based options, Coons’ journey from a farmers’ market stall to a recognized brand exemplifies the potential for success in the evolving landscape of food production and consumer preferences.