Farm Boy

Founding and Early Growth

Farm Boy was established on December 2, 1981, when Collette and Jean-Louis Bellemare opened their first store on Cumberland Street in Cornwall, Ontario. This original location was a modest 300 square foot operation that sold only fresh produce. In 1984, Jean-Louis and his brother Normand Bellemare relocated the business to a much larger 5,000 square foot site on Sydney Street in Cornwall. This move enabled a significant expansion of the product lineup beyond produce to include dairy, deli, cheese, and meat departments. The brothers later added an in-store bakery and bulk food sections, laying the foundation for the full-service fresh-market concept the chain is known for today. The early focus on fresh, quality goods established the core identity that would drive the brand's subsequent growth and customer loyalty.

Expansion Across Ontario

The company began its expansion beyond Cornwall in 1992 by entering the Ottawa market. This move initiated a period of steady growth throughout the National Capital Region. Key early openings in Ottawa included stores in Nepean on Merivale Road in 1996, Hillside Plaza on Montreal Road in 1997, and locations in Kanata and Blossom Park. By 2007, Farm Boy operated eight additional stores in Ottawa, with new locations continuing to open in areas like Barrhaven and the Blue Heron Mall on Bank Street. A significant milestone was the 2012 opening at Place d'Orleans, which introduced the chain's first in-store eating area. The company's reach extended to Kingston in 2012 and London in 2014, where initial success led to announcements for additional locations. Further expansion brought the first stores to Kitchener and Whitby in the summer of 2015.

This growth period also saw organizational changes, including the creation of a board of directors in 2003 and the appointment of Jeff York as President in 2009. In 2012, the Bellemare brothers stepped down following an investment from the Boston-based firm Berkshire Partners. The company continued to experiment with store formats, notably with a 2016 location in Ottawa's Westboro neighbourhood that featured a larger dining area and a dedicated "Farm Boy Kitchen" prepared food section. This urban model was further refined with a downtown Ottawa location at CF Rideau Centre in late 2017. Major market entries followed, with the first Toronto store opening in Etobicoke on March 1, 2018, and a location in Hamilton opening later that same month.

Acquisition and Partnership with Empire

On September 24, 2018, Empire Company Limited, the parent company of the Sobeys supermarket chain, announced an agreement to purchase Farm Boy for 800 million Canadian dollars. The acquisition required regulatory approval and was completed with Farm Boy's management shareholders and the investment group Berkshire Partners. As part of the deal, founder Jean-Louis Bellemare, co-CEO Jeff York, and other senior executives planned to remain with the company and reinvest to own a combined 12 percent share. The agreement stipulated that Farm Boy would operate as a separate entity within the Empire portfolio. The new ownership structure was designed to accelerate Farm Boy's expansion, particularly in southwestern Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area. Empire also planned to include Farm Boy products within its Ocado-based e-commerce platform for Sobeys, while maintaining the brand's distinct identity.

Store Format and Customer Experience

Farm Boy stores are typically smaller than conventional large supermarkets and are strategically located on major streets with ample parking, as well as in urban mall settings catering to pedestrians. The company markets itself on a farm-to-table philosophy, emphasizing fresh produce, high-quality meats, artisan cheeses, and a wide array of prepared foods. A key component of the in-store experience is the Farm Boy private label, which encompasses a vast range of packaged foods, pantry staples, and discovery items. Many locations feature in-store dining areas, and the chain has developed a reputation for its chef-prepared items and ready-to-eat meals. The store environment often includes playful animatronic figures, such as Mikey the monkey swinging above the banana display, which were inspired by similar features at the Stew Leonard's grocery chain in the United States.

Recent Growth and Community Engagement

Following the Empire acquisition, Farm Boy has continued its expansion across Ontario. As of August 2026, the chain operates 53 locations. Recent announcements include planned new stores at Harbourfront in Toronto, in Bronte (Oakville), and on Greenbank Road in Ottawa, alongside other Ottawa sites at Terry Fox Drive and the intersection of Bank Street and Skipper Drive. The company engages customers through initiatives like its annual Fan Faves campaign, where shoppers vote for their favourite private label products. The 2026 campaign winners, determined by thousands of customer votes, included Farm Boy Chocolate Brownies as the "New Favourite" and Farm Boy Salad Dressing & Vinaigrettes as the "All-Time Local Farm Boy Favourite." These campaigns highlight the brand's focus on community connection and customer input in curating its product assortment.

Corporate Identity and Market Position

Farm Boy positions itself as more than a grocery store, offering a unique fresh-market experience shaped by quality, freshness, and value. The company's slogan, "It's All About The Food," succinctly captures this focus. Its private label products are central to its identity, ranging from gourmet burgers and butter tarts to gelato and pantry essentials. The chain is often described as providing a friendly, neighbourhood-oriented shopping alternative to larger supermarkets. With annual sales reaching 500 million Canadian dollars by September 2018, Farm Boy has established itself as one of Ontario's leading and fastest-growing fresh-food retailers. The company also emphasizes its role as an employer, stating it offers a place where team members feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow.

Questions about Farm Boy

What is Farm Boy known for?

Farm Boy is known for its fresh-market shopping experience, emphasizing farm-fresh produce, butcher-quality meats, and a wide selection of prepared foods. The chain markets itself with a farm-to-table philosophy and is distinctive for its smaller store formats and its extensive private label product line. Customers also recognize the stores for features like in-store dining areas, the "Farm Boy Kitchen" prepared food sections, and playful animatronic displays in the produce department. Its annual Fan Faves campaign, where customers vote for favourite products, is a popular community engagement initiative.

What are Farm Boy's Fan Faves?

Fan Faves is an annual customer-driven campaign where shoppers vote for their favourite products from Farm Boy's private label assortment. The 2026 campaign, the sixth annual event, saw thousands of participants voting across multiple categories. Winners that year included Farm Boy Chocolate Brownies in the "New Favourite" category, edging out the previous year's winner, Farm Boy Ice Cream. In the "All-Time Local Farm Boy Favourite" category, Farm Boy Salad Dressing & Vinaigrettes claimed the win. The campaign highlights products that customers return to frequently, from limited-time items to pantry staples.

Who owns Farm Boy?

Farm Boy is majority owned by Empire Company Ltd, the parent company of the Sobeys grocery chain. This acquisition occurred in September 2018 in a deal valued at 800 million dollars. Following the purchase, founder Jean Louis Bellemare, former co CEO Jeff York, and other senior executives retained a 12 percent share in the company. Farm Boy operates as a separate entity within the Empire corporate family. This ownership structure supports Farm Boy's expansion plans, particularly in southwestern Ontario and the Toronto region.

How many Farm Boy stores are there?

As of August 2026, there are 53 Farm Boy locations. The chain has experienced significant growth from its single Cornwall store opened in 1981. The company later expanded to Kingston in 2012, London in 2014, and entered Toronto in 2018. Farm Boy continues to announce new store openings, focusing on both urban and suburban locations across Ontario.

When was the first Farm Boy store opened?

The first Farm Boy store was opened on December 2, 1981. It was founded by Collette and Jean Louis Bellemare on Cumberland Street in Cornwall, Ontario. This original location was a modest 300 square foot store that sold only produce. In 1984, the store was moved to a larger Sydney Street location in Cornwall, which allowed for a major expansion. This new 5000 square foot store added dairy, deli, cheese, and meat product lines, forming the foundation for the future chain.

Where is Farm Boy expanding next?

Farm Boy has announced three new Ontario store locations for Harbourfront in Toronto, Bronte in Oakville, and Greenbank in Ottawa. The company is also working on two additional Ottawa sites at 700 Terry Fox Drive in Kanata and the intersection of Bank Street and Skipper Drive. The chain's focus for future expansion remains on both urban and suburban locations around Ontario. This growth is supported by its parent company, Empire Company Ltd, which plans to use Farm Boy to expand further into southwestern Ontario and the Toronto region.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Novello Desserts desk. Last updated 2026-10-21.