2025 Ontario Award winners

Can conscientious pet food choices do good for animals and the planet?

This deep-rooted desire to cultivate a more ethical and transparent pet food industry is the root of everything Jacqueline and Isaac have created together. As kids, both were passionate about animals. As adults concerned about conventional factory farming, they began making more conscious food choices for themselves and their pets. With that commitment, Open Farm began taking shape. 

A serial entrepreneur, Jacqueline initially left her career in finance and law to start Canada Pooch, a successful venture in the pet apparels space. Isaac ultimately moved out of the private equity and consulting space to co-found Open Farm with her based on their shared vision, passion for animal welfare and drive to disrupt the pet industry. Together, they’ve built a brand that’s not only premium and ethically sourced, but also deeply committed to transparency, animal welfare, and environmental stewardship. 

Jacqueline and Isaac launched Open Farm to provide the market with humanely raised and transparently sourced pet food options. Forming a sustainable supply chain from scratch, they grew the vision into a series of Canadian firsts: Open Farm is the country’s first pet food supplier to receive the Certified Humane label as well as the first to use Terracycle packaging in an industry notorious for waste. Customers appreciate their commitment to science-based targets, zero waste to landfill and regenerative agriculture.   

While Open Farm is one of the fastest growing pet food companies in the world, they define true success in the positive impact they continue to have for animals and the planet itself.