As an artisan soup producer specializing in all-natural, vegetarian, and gourmet flavours from around the globe, Higher Mountain Soup Co soups are handmade and kettle-cooked in small batches using locally sourced fresh ingredients. They are conveniently packaged in ready-to-serve, frozen family-sized pouches. Try an assortment of flavours, like A Taste of Tunisia, a delightfully creamy and delicious soup made with carrot, ginger and whole wheat couscous. Then, of course, you’ll be coming back for more and trying all the other unique flavours! Visit their vendor page here. We had the chance to interview Guy, the owner of the company, as he shared his thoughts on supporting local and working in the industry for over 20 years. Have a read and let us know what you think!

What do you produce at Higher Mountain Soup Co, and what products do you offer?

We specialize in small-batch, handmade, ethnic vegetarian soups. Our products come frozen and packaged in 2 quarts of vacuum packs. We have been supplying the local foodservice market for over 20 years and are pleased to offer our soups directly to the public.

What do you or your company stand for? 

You truly are what you eat and I hope that we can honour that by offering a quality product at an affordable price.

What’s the story behind it all? 

I began selling our soups to local cafes and restaurants at a time when the vegetarian option offered was an afterthought and usually, “cream of whatever.” Then, we started to push the boundaries on unique vegetarian flavours, and it’s been a pleasure to watch how tastes have changed over the years, with consumers becoming more adventurous and at the same time being conscious of what they are eating and where it originates from.

How do you feel about the Lower Mainland/Fraser Valley and supporting local businesses?

It’s heartwarming to see the kind of support in the Lower Mainland that small-scale processors have received from our local community, especially through these adamant couple of years. We pivoted & started selling to the public at the local farmers market, and it feels like a family. The farmers and producers that I’ve met work so hard, and it shows in the quality & the pride they take in their product. 

What does the future have in store?

DirectFood.store is the perfect platform for niche producers like ourselves. I’m looking forward and very grateful that we can offer our soups directly to the public without going through some mega chain, and hope to earn the same trust as we have with our loyal foodservice clients.

How has your relationship with your customers evolved over the years?  

Some of the loyal customers we have built a relationship with have been with us for a couple of decades. Big tech has changed the world, but I think staying dedicated, local and having a consistent, quality product will still be something that works. I’ve also noticed a trend where occasionally pulling something out of the earth and making a good product out of it without adding an animal protein is not necessarily committing a cardinal sin. :)