Farm Boy Inc. is an Ontario-based specialty food retailer running 51 grocery stores, offering fresh produce, meats, cheeses, chef-prepared foods and private label products. Founded in 1981.
Farm Boy Inc. is a Canadian specialty food retailer operating 51 grocery stores across Ontario. The company was founded in 1981 as a 300-square-foot produce store in Cornwall, Ontario, and has since grown to employ between 1,001 and 5,000 people. It has been owned by Empire Company Limited since its acquisition in 2018, though it retains an independent brand identity.
The business centres on farm-fresh produce, butcher-quality meats, artisan cheeses and chef-prepared foods. Alongside these departments, Farm Boy sells hundreds of exclusive private label products made with real ingredients, and hundreds of products sourced and made in Ontario as part of a stated commitment to local sourcing.
Operations reflect a service-led store model. The company operates no self-checkouts, placing emphasis on personal interaction between staff and customers, and describes its mission as delivering good food from good neighbours. Store environments are designed to present grocery shopping as an experience rather than a routine task, and the company has continued to expand across Ontario while retaining its original focus.
Work spans store-level food departments, customer service and the ongoing expansion of the store network. Team members are expected to share a focus on food quality and customer service.
