2020 Recipients
Jean Louis Bellemare
President and General Manager of Farm Boy Company Inc.
Jean-Louis Bellemare is Partner, President and General Manager of Farm Boy, a company he and his wife Collette founded in their home town of Cornwall in 1981. What began as a modest 300 sq. ft. store selling only fresh produce, quickly expanded to a larger 5,000 sq. ft. space in a matter of three short years. With the same principles used in opening their produce market, they started to introduce, one department at a time, the dairy, deli, cheese and meat departments to create the fresh market shopping experience that Farm Boy customers have enjoyed for the past 39 years.
After the first three years, that success in turn provided the opportunity for Jean-Louis’ brother Normand to join as a partner and then ten years later their brother Daniel also became a partner in the business. Together, they led the expansion into Ottawa and opened eight new stores between 1992 and 2007.
As the Ottawa locations continued to gain momentum, so too did the Farm Boy reputation. In 2012, the company was sold to Berkshire in order to grow the store network throughout Ontario, and in 2018 was acquired by Empire. You’ll now find this “local" grocery store in Kingston, London, Kitchener, Whitby, Toronto, Burlington, Hamilton, Cambridge, Oakville and St. Catharines - with 31 locations in total, and growing.
To this day, Jean-Louis prides himself on running the business on the same principles as the original Cornwall store where through his committed, engaged and results-oriented leadership, the business continues to grow and evolve, and the focus remains on exceeding customer expectations by delivering the best service, unique products, the freshest food and an inviting, market-style shopping experience.
Jean-Louis and wife Collette currently reside in Ottawa and is the proud father of two adult children. When he’s not working, you will likely find him spending time with his family and on the water.
President and General Manager of Farm Boy Company Inc.
Jean-Louis Bellemare is Partner, President and General Manager of Farm Boy, a company he and his wife Collette founded in their home town of Cornwall in 1981. What began as a modest 300 sq. ft. store selling only fresh produce, quickly expanded to a larger 5,000 sq. ft. space in a matter of three short years. With the same principles used in opening their produce market, they started to introduce, one department at a time, the dairy, deli, cheese and meat departments to create the fresh market shopping experience that Farm Boy customers have enjoyed for the past 39 years.
After the first three years, that success in turn provided the opportunity for Jean-Louis’ brother Normand to join as a partner and then ten years later their brother Daniel also became a partner in the business. Together, they led the expansion into Ottawa and opened eight new stores between 1992 and 2007.
As the Ottawa locations continued to gain momentum, so too did the Farm Boy reputation. In 2012, the company was sold to Berkshire in order to grow the store network throughout Ontario, and in 2018 was acquired by Empire. You’ll now find this “local" grocery store in Kingston, London, Kitchener, Whitby, Toronto, Burlington, Hamilton, Cambridge, Oakville and St. Catharines - with 31 locations in total, and growing.
To this day, Jean-Louis prides himself on running the business on the same principles as the original Cornwall store where through his committed, engaged and results-oriented leadership, the business continues to grow and evolve, and the focus remains on exceeding customer expectations by delivering the best service, unique products, the freshest food and an inviting, market-style shopping experience.
Jean-Louis and wife Collette currently reside in Ottawa and is the proud father of two adult children. When he’s not working, you will likely find him spending time with his family and on the water.