From P.E.I. kitchen to Canadian shelves

What started as a local idea in Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.) has grown into a distinctive Canadian food brand.

Sarah Bennetto O’Brien, founder of The Handpie Company, built her business by combining culinary training with a focus on local ingredients, quality and community. Her journey from chef to entrepreneur reflects the role small suppliers play in bringing new and innovative products to Canadians.

After earning her Red Seal certification at just 20, Sarah worked across Canada before settling in P.E.I. There, a traditional hand pie recipe made with ingredients from a local farmers’ market sparked the idea that would become The Handpie Company.

From the beginning, local sourcing has been central. Today, the company uses P.E.I. butter and locally milled flour, maintaining a strong focus on consistency and quality as production has grown.

The business launched with a small kitchen and takeout operation, growing steadily as demand increased. A key milestone came with federal licensing, enabling the company to expand beyond P.E.I. and enter new retail markets.

Support through Loblaw’s Small Supplier Program helped accelerate that growth, providing a clearer path to connect, scale and reach more customers across Atlantic Canada.

Community remains a core focus. Through its “Pie It Forward” program, The Handpie Company donates food to local food banks and women’s shelters in P.E.I., reflecting a commitment to supporting the communities it serves.

As growth continues, the focus now is on expanding into new markets, including Ontario, and bringing hand pies to more Canadians.

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