Dempster's Bread

I've bought Dempster's bread for years.  The Bimbo factory where it's made is very close to where I live.  When you drive down the Langley by-pass, you can smell the bread baking.  Dempster’s is one of Canada’s most recognizable bread brands, but its story begins long before it became a national staple. Its history weaves together immigration, family entrepreneurship, and the evolution of Canada’s baking industry — ultimately becoming the flagship brand of one of the country’s largest bakery companies.

🍞 Humble Beginnings: A Family of Bakers

• The Dempster story starts with James Dempster, born in Glasgow, Scotland, to a family of bakers.

• After immigrating to Canada, the Dempster family opened their first Toronto bakery, Ideal Bakery, laying the foundation for what would become a household name.

🥖 The First Dempster’s Bakery

• Inspired by his parents, James Dempster opened his own bakery, Dempster’s Staff of Life Bakery, in Toronto.

• It began as a one‑man operation, but its quality and consistency helped it grow steadily.

👨‍👦‍👦 A New Generation Takes Over

• James’s sons, James Jr. and Nelson, inherited their father’s passion for baking and eventually took over operations.

• Their leadership helped expand the brand’s reach and reputation across Ontario and beyond.

🏢 Joining Canada Bread

• In 1968, Dempster’s Bread Limited was purchased by Canada Bread, which had been formed decades earlier in 1911 through the merger of five major Canadian bakeries.

• After the acquisition, Dempster’s became Canada Bread’s flagship brand, solidifying its place as one of the country’s best‑selling breads.

🌎 A Modern Era Under Grupo Bimbo

• In 2014, Canada Bread — and therefore Dempster’s — was purchased by Grupo Bimbo, the world’s largest baking company, headquartered in Mexico.

• In 2018, Canada Bread officially changed its name to Bimbo Canada, aligning with its global parent company.

🌱 Commitment to Quality & Sustainability

Dempster’s continues to evolve with Canadian values:

• No artificial flavours or colours in its bread products

• Removal of additives like Sodium Stearoyl‑2‑Lactylate and certain emulsifiers to keep ingredients simple and wholesome

• Introduction of sustainable cardboard bread tags to reduce plastic waste.

❤️ A Brand Rooted in Canadian Communities

From a small family bakery to a national brand, Dempster’s has always emphasized:

• Nourishing Canadians with accessible, high‑quality bread

• Supporting community initiatives, including food banks and local charities

Today, Dempster’s remains a staple in Canadian households — a testament to more than a century of craftsmanship, innovation, and community connection.

Even though it's now a Mexican company, they bake it in Canada with Canadian employees.  My favorite is the 12 grain and it's much cheaper at Costco!