By Brooke Madden
Canadians are considering their physical health more seriously than ever, and Meghan Muise and her co-founder, Lindsay, saw that as an opportunity to help. Long-time best friends and Ontario locals, the two female leaders have created flourishing health-based, sustainable stores for the Minette and Muskoka community. With an emphasis on working in “healthcare, as opposed to sick care,” as they put it, the women have found their passion for helping those around them, while also making some pretty delicious food and drinks.
“We are ground-floor healthcare in our community, and that is something we hear a lot of. Whereas hospitals are sick care, there is no guesswork when you come here,” says Muise.
As Ontarians begin flooding up north for cottage season, Meghan predicts a summer of health, happiness, and convenience. Ripe Juicery is a one-stop shop for all of their customers’ health-food needs. Why lug a juicer all the way up to the cottage for a quick weekend trip, they reason, when you have access to some of the most meticulously, thoughtfully and sustainably made juices right at your doorstep? With personal convenience in mind, Ripe offers cottaging families the time to share a healthy meal and get back out on the water. And Ripe’s founders emphasize that sustainability and health are as important as delicious taste and convenience.
“We’re literally field to table,” Muise says. “Our products are sold in recycled glass. We care so much about what [the product is] in, about how it’s grown, how it’s processed.” Actually, she clarifies, “We don’t process.” Ripe uses a commercial hydraulic press, which helps to include nutrients that can be lost when juicing without one. “Every single step we take is a ten out of ten in terms of caring about [our community’s] health, and what is actually important to consume.”
Overall, who Ripe is, and what it does, is different. Meghan proudly states that they “make magic,” using raw ingredients without preservatives. Not only do their practices benefit the health of their community, but the overall health of our planet too. As a zero-waste company, Ripe has a bottle-return program, offering 25-cent credits to repay their customers for taking a hand in helping them achieve their mission. Ripe even donates the pulp from their juices to feed animals at a local sanctuary. “We don’t have a ten-year plan to be eco-friendly; we just started there!” Muise says.
Summer is around the corner, and Ripe Juicery is gearing up for a busy one. Both the Port Carling and Minette locations will open on June 23rd, through to Labour Day, seven days a week. So grab a juice – maybe even a plant-based snack too – and embrace all the healthy, sustainable goods Ripe has to offer.
Visit ripejuicery.ca for more info
