French’s ketchup and mustard will be served at all Canadian A&W restaurants, including eight Mississauga locations, starting in April, the burger chain announced Tuesday.
“The tomato farmers in Leamington and mustard seed farmers in Saskatchewan work hard to produce the best quality ingredients for French’s, and we are proud to add these locally-sourced products to the menu at all of our Canadian restaurants, including our restaurant in Leamington,” said A&W Canada president and chief operating officer Susan Senecal.
Both condiments contain 100 per cent Canadian tomatoes and mustard seeds, according to the company.
Heinz was Leamington’s largest employer for more than a century, announcing in 2013 its southwestern Ontario plant would be closing with 740 full-time employees losing their jobs.
But dozens of Heinz products are still made at the plant, now run by Highbury Canco.
A man’s patriotic Facebook post recently sparked debate over supporting Ontario business, followed by grocery giant Loblaw announcing it was pulling French’s ketchup due to low sales then reversing the decision after social media outcry.
A&W joins a growing list of organizations – including the University of Windsor – to align itself with French’s.
Essex MPP Taras Natyshak, a New Democrat, recently launched an online petition asking food services at Queen’s Park to serve French’s ketchup.
A tomato festival is held in Leamington each August.
-Kelly Roche
@qewsouthpost