Proudly Canadian
Dare has been a proudly Canadian, family-owned company since 1889. Throughout our long history, we’ve created some of the most loved brands in the country including Bear Paws cookies, REALFRUIT gummies, Breton crackers, Melba Toast and many more. For 132 years, our head office has been based in the same region, but we’ve expanded our roots far beyond. With nine manufacturing plants and over 1400 employees, Dare is part of the fabric of Canada.
Our Dare Foods History
We have a rich history as a privately-owned, Canadian family business. Family makes it better.
No matter how much we grow, we never forget our commitment to “good goods and honest dealing”. A promise our business was founded on over a century ago. It’s thanks to generations of our dedicated family and employees that Dare is able to deliver delicious, quality products, made better to meet the changing needs and expectations of Canadians.
After over 132 years, we’re more dedicated to producing innovative, high-quality food than ever. Manufactured in Canada and the United States, our range of cookies, crackers, fine breads and candy is available throughout North America and in more than 50 other countries around the world. And we’re not going anywhere. Dare plans to keep our family and production based right here in North America, where we began.
Take a journey through our history, starting with our humble roots as a grocery store to where we are today, this is our story.
1889
A Tradition Begins
Charles H. Doerr begins a tradition of favourites by producing and selling cookies and candies from his small grocery store in Kitchener (then, Berlin), Ontario, Canada. Thanks to a strong commitment to the motto “good goods and honest dealing,” it’s not long before these quality products replace sales of general merchandise in the Doerr store.
1919
Dare Facilities Expand
Now a manufacturing business distributing throughout the region, the C.H. Doerr Company incorporates and expands its baking and candy-making facilities.
1933
Carl Doerr Joins the Company
Carl Doerr joins the company and learns the business from his grandfather, Charles. With the passing of the founder in 1941, Carl takes over the leadership of the company.
1945
Doerr to Dare
The company and family name are legally changed to “Dare” to ease pronunciation outside of the local community. The company starts to expand distribution to all regions of Canada.
1954
“Tin Tie” Strip Introduced
Inspired by coffee packaging, Dare introduces chocolate chip cookies in a bag sealed with a “tin tie” strip, allowing consumers to reseal the bag and maintain freshness. It’s an immediate success and becomes the standard packaging for cookies in Canada.
1956
Expansion to the United States
Now a well-established name in all parts of Canada, Dare introduces its quality cookie products to the United States.
1982
Breton is Released
Dare’s flagship cracker brand, Breton, is introduced with extraordinary success! Within a few years, Breton and its companion brands, Cabaret and Vivant, are available across North America.
1989
Innovation in Technology
A fully automated soft candy plant is built in Milton, Ontario. Soon, Dare introduces its highly successful range of REALFRUIT gummies, which bring sophisticated European tastes in soft candy to North America for the first time.
1994
New Cracker Bakery
Determined to grow as a truly North American food company, Dare constructs a new cracker bakery on a 33-acre greenfield site in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
2001
Dare Acquires Culinar
Iconic and popular chocolate-coated cookie favourites such as Whippet, Wagon Wheels and Viva Puffs joined the Dare family of products as an acquisition was made of Quebec-based Culinar in 2001. Dare also becomes Canada’s largest baker of Melba Toast and other fine breads, sold under the Boulangerie Grissol brand name.
2002
Supplier of Girl Guides of Canada
Dare is chosen as the exclusive supplier of cookies for the Girl Guides
of Canada.
2003
Manufacturing Facilities Declared “Peanut-Free”
In response to growing consumer concerns over nut-based food allergies, Dare becomes one of North America’s first major food manufacturers to declare all of its manufacturing facilities “peanut-free”.
2004
Bear Paws Soft Cookies Goes Nationwide
Dare takes Quebec-born brand Bear Paws nationwide for all Canadians to enjoy. Peanut-free, portable and perfect for kids!
2006
Dare Partners with Food Allergy Canada
Dare partners with Food Allergy Canada to support its leadership position in keeping parents informed and educated about foods that can cause allergic reactions in kids.
2011
Dare Partners with the Whole Grain Council
Dare partners with the Whole Grain Council. All Dare products with the Whole Grain symbol contain at least 8 grams of whole grains per serving.
2013
Canada’s First Gluten-Free Cracker Launched
Dare launches Canada’s first certified gluten-free cracker, endorsed by the Canadian Celiac Association, in response to the rising number of consumers looking to live gluten-free.
2013
Dare Welcomes lesley stowe
Dare acquires beloved gourmet cracker company lesley stowe raincoast crisps®. The original artisanal crisps – often imitated, but never duplicated. To this day, raincoast crisps® are baked in small batches at our bakery in Richmond, BC. The range has expanded to offer even more choice, without compromising on simple, premium ingredients and great taste.
2016
Dare Launches Healthier Snacks in the Cracker Aisle
Dare creates a new line of popped snacks called Veggie Crisps with vegetables as the first ingredient.
2017
Celebrating 125 Years
Dare celebrates its 125th anniversary of making food better for Canadian families. To commemorate the anniversary, Dare goes deep into the forests of Quebec to make a special batch of Ultimate Dare Maple Crème cookies as old as Dare itself.
2018
Dare Moves to Cambridge, Ontario
After years of expansion, Dare outgrows its original head office and moves to a new home, still in the same region, on Cherry Blossom Road in Cambridge, Ontario.
2019
Dare Launches Bold ‘n Baked
Canadians say they want it all – a bold-flavoured snack that’s better for them. Dare delivers with a baked (never fried) snack that packs a serious punch!
2019
Bear Paws Cookies Made Better with Less Sugar
Canadians want healthier treats for their kids and Dare delivers by putting a new spin on a classic combination. We make our Bear Paws Sandwich Crème cookies better with 45% less sugar than the leading sandwich crème cookie.
2019
Dare Adds La Panzanella to the Family
Dare acquires Madrona Specialty Foods, adding Croccantini® and Dolcetini® artisan flatbreads and cookies to the family. In keeping with family tradition, Dare preserves the original Italian recipe, baked with highest quality ingredients at our bakeries in Seattle, WA and Charlotte, NC.
2021
Bear Paws Veggies + Fruits is Launched
Dare packs more nutrients into Bear Paws Veggies + Fruits - the first soft Bear Paws cookies with real veggies + fruits baked right in!
2021
REALFRUIT Gummies Go Plant-Based
REALFRUIT gummies become a flavour explosion that doesn’t harm animals. The gummies adopt a new plant-based recipe without animal gelatin.
Our Values
Integrity
Dare Foods was founded on a commitment to honesty and respect for others. Integrity is a core value that we apply to everything we do.
Family
Family and tradition mean everything to us. Since 1889, Dare Foods has remained a family-owned business producing innovative, high-quality snacks from our family to yours.
Quality
Quality is our highest priority. Starting with the best ingredients we are proud of every cookie, cracker, fine bread and candy that hits store shelves because quality is what we do.
Innovation
We’ve been perfecting our craft for over 132 years thanks to our continued commitment to growth, innovation and change. When our consumer needs change, we change.
Local
Dare Foods started as a local grocery store and now our range of products and snacks are enjoyed in more than 50 countries around the world. As we continue to grow and think globally, we never lose sight of our local mindset and roots.
Committed to Sustainability
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria is a framework for measuring a company’s sustainability and its impact. At Dare Foods we are continually working towards more sustainable food products through three main pillars: Better Food, Better Community and Better Planet.
Our Communities
Our roots are Canadian, but we now produce our delicious range of cookies, crackers, fine breads and candy in facilities all over North America. No matter where we are, our bakeries and production are deeply focused on serving the communities we’re in by hiring locally and providing support for their efforts to improve and grow.
