Report Introduction<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Dare Foods Limited (\u201cDare Foods\u201d, \u201cDare\u201d or \u201cthe Company\u201d) acknowledges that the issue of modern slavery, which includes forced labour and child labour, is a multifaceted problem that can manifest in various ways within global supply chains. As a longstanding Canadian, family-owned enterprise with a rich history spanning over 132 years, the Company upholds its steadfast commitment to the principles of integrity and ethical business practices. This dedication empowers the Company to consistently deliver delicious, quality products, that are continuously enhanced to align with the evolving demands and expectations of the Canadian market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Report Scope<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
This Joint Modern Slavery Report is provided in relation to Canada\u2019s Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act <\/em>(the \u201cAct\u201d) and related guidance from Public Safety Canada, for the reporting period of January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024 (\u201c2024 fiscal year\u201d). The Report provides an overview of Dare Foods\u2019 ongoing efforts to prevent and identify instances of modern slavery in its business operations and supply chain. It also highlights specific areas where the Company plans to enhance its reporting and risk management practices in the near future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This Joint Report has been prepared by Dare Foods Limited as the main reporting entity and includes its affiliate, Dare Holdings Incorporated. This Report outlines the actions taken by Dare Foods thus far and its planned initiatives for the upcoming year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the prior year, Dare Foods began efforts to gain a deeper understanding of the risks associated with modern slavery in its operations and supply chains. In 2024, this process has continued. Specifically, in the 2024 fiscal year, the Company provided a copy of it\u2019s Supplier Code of Conduct to suppliers. The majority (98%) of suppliers sent back either a signed copy of the Supplier Code of Conduct or shared their own Code of Conduct, which was reviewed by the Company to ensure consistency of principles. Moving forward, contracts with new vendors will include explicit terms that prevent the use of child and forced labour. Further, as contracts with existing suppliers are renewed or extended, they will be updated to include the same clause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dare Foods is a private, family-owned portfolio of food brands headquartered in Cambridge, Ontario. The Dare \u201cMade Better\u201d promise guides everything the Company does and comes to life through its portfolio of brands including Bear Paws, Breton, REALFRUIT, Boulangerie Grissol, and Whippet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dare Foods has a rich history that spans more than 132 years, with roots established by Charles H. Doerr in 1889, through the opening of a small grocery store in Kitchener, Ontario, producing and selling cookies and candies. In 1945, the Company underwent a legal and family name change from \u201cC.H. Doerr Company\u201d to \u201cDare\u201d and in the years following, has embarked on expanding its products and distribution network throughout all regions of Canada and the United States (US). The Company continues to innovate by launching nutritious snacks and new products under its brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dare Holdings Incorporated is the Canadian based parent company of Dare Foods Limited (Canadian operating entity) and Dare Foods Incorporated (US operating entity). The US subsidiary, Dare Foods Incorporated is not subject to the reporting requirements under the Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dare Foods is primarily engaged in the manufacturing and distribution of baked goods and snacks. The Company owns a total of eight manufacturing plants located throughout North America, with five plants situated in Canada and the remaining three plants situated in the US. Each of these plants produce a wide variety of products that cater to the preferences of North American and international consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Company distributes its products through various channels, including major retailers, grocery stores, and online platforms and has established strong partnerships with these distribution channels to ensure its products are readily available to consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Effective 2024, Dare Foods has approximately 1,030 active suppliers on record. Most of its Tier 1 Suppliers (99%) are based in North America and the remaining 1% are located across Europe and Asia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Company\u2019s main procurement categories include food ingredients, packaging supplies and indirect products and services (capital equipment, maintenance suppliers, and corporate services) as indicated in Figure 1 below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dare\u2019s values of integrity, family, quality, innovation, and local mindset <\/em><\/strong>have formed the foundation of its culture and approach to conducting business. These values are evident in the way that the Company interacts with its employees, customers, and suppliers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, through the Company\u2019s Sustainability Commitment, the \u201cBetter Community\u201d <\/em>Pillar of this Commitment highlights the Company\u2019s dedication to fostering a culture and work environment that demands respect and integrity, keeps people safe, rewards excellence, champions diversity, and empowers everyone to learn and contribute their best. As part of this Pillar, the Company strives to be a positive and supportive member of the communities in which it operates. This includes a commitment to ensure the Company\u2019s cocoa and chocolate are ethically produced without the use of forced or child labour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dare Foods has existing policies in place that address human rights matters as they relate to its employees. Although these policies do not currently specifically address forced labour and child labour concerns, they underscore the Company\u2019s commitment to comply with applicable laws and to foster a safe work environment that adheres to ethical practices and promotes respect for all individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All employees of Dare Foods are required to adhere to the above policies and uphold the Company\u2019s various commitments as outlined in these policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dare Foods is dedicated to promoting transparency in its own business practices and its efforts to combat modern slavery within its supply chains. The Company expects its suppliers to maintain the same high standards as Dare Foods when conducting their own business operations. At Dare Foods, due diligence processes are in place to ensure that the Company exclusively engages with reputable and Safe Quality Food (SQF) certified suppliers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dare Foods\u2019 present supplier onboarding and auditing procedures are designed to ensure that suppliers uphold high standards of quality, sustainability, and workplace values that align closely with Dare Foods\u2019 own values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2024, the Company created and distributed a Modern Slavery Questionnaire to all of its suppliers to obtain a better understanding of its suppliers\u2019 current policies and practices with respect to the prevention and detection of modern slavery. The Company reviewed the responses of these Questionnaires to gather insights into its supplier risk profile, informing the development of its\u2019 comprehensive strategy for identifying and mitigating modern slavery risks. Based on its\u2019 review of the Questionnaires, there were no incremental risks identified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the future, the Company is planning to develop a reporting mechanism for the public to report suspected use of modern slavery in our supply chain. Individuals will also be able to report suspected wrongdoing, fraudulent acts, questionable behaviour, and\/or violations of the Code of Conduct. Options the Company is considering for this reporting mechanism include but are not limited to email, phone, or mail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dare Foods\u2019 current supply chain primarily consists of Tier 1 Suppliers located in Canada and the US (99%). The remaining 1% comprises suppliers located in Europe and Asia. Upon assessing the country risk profile informed by the Walk Free<\/a> Global Slavery Index<\/a> , it was determined that Dare Foods\u2019 overall risk is low as the majority of its suppliers are expected to adhere to the modern slavery and related labour legislation that has already been established in these regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dare Foods plans to conduct a formal Risk Assessment in the future based upon deeper assessment of its supply chain beyond its Tier 1 Suppliers. Using the outcomes of this Risk Assessment, Dare Foods will establish supplier engagement procedures specifically tailored to high-risk sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There were no instances in 2024 of forced or child labour identified in the Company\u2019s supply chain. However, if in the future signs or risks of forced or child labour were identified, the Company would address the issue in the same manner other quality issues are addressed. The Company would provide a detailed list of action items for the supplier to address within a set time period. If the action items were not completed within the time period to the satisfaction of Dare Foods, as assessed by one or more audits, the Company would stop working with that supplier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During 2024, the Company did not identify any instances of forced labour or child labour in its operations or supply chains. Consequently, no remedial action has been necessary in the current year. However, Dare Foods recognizes the importance of continuous monitoring to ensure that risks related to modern slavery are effectively mitigated throughout its operations and supply chains. The Company is dedicated to conducting regular reviews of its risk assessments, ensuring that appropriate measures are implemented if the need arises in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although Dare Foods did not offer formal training on modern slavery during the 2024 fiscal year, the Company intends to introduce awareness training on this issue in the future. By implementing this training, Dare Foods aims to enhance the understanding of modern slavery risks and prevention strategies, especially among key personnel who play crucial roles in the Company\u2019s operations and decision-making processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For the 2024 fiscal year, there were no actions taken by the Company to assess its effectiveness in preventing and reducing the risk of forced labour and child labour in the Company\u2019s supply chains. In future reports, Dare Foods aims to establish measurable key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor its progress and effectiveness in the prevention and detection of modern slavery in its supply chains. The Company has already made a commitment to implement procedures in the future to ensure that its cocoa and chocolate are ethically produced without the use of modern slavery. The Company intends to develop KPIs to measure its progress towards meeting this goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This Report was approved by the Dare Executive Committee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In accordance with the requirements of the Act, and in particular section 11 thereof, I attest that I have reviewed the information contained in the report for the entity or entities listed above. Based on my knowledge, and having exercised reasonable diligence, I attest that the information in the Report is true, accurate and complete in all material respects for the purposes of the Act, for the reporting year listed above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I have the authority to bind Dare Foods Limited.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Peter Luik 2024 Modern Slavery Report May 31, 2025 Report Introduction Dare Foods Limited (\u201cDare Foods\u201d, \u201cDare\u201d or \u201cthe Company\u201d) acknowledges that the issue of modern slavery, which includes forced labour and child labour, is a multifaceted problem that can manifest in various ways within global supply chains. As a longstanding Canadian, family-owned enterprise with a rich […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"singular.php","meta":{"_searchwp_excluded":"1","inline_featured_image":false,"_wp_rev_ctl_limit":""},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSteps Taken to Prevent and Reduce the Risks of Forced Labour and Child Labour<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Structures, Activities and Supply Chains<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Business Overview<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Company History<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Corporate Organizational Structure<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Activities<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Supply Chain<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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<\/div>\n\n\n\nValues, Policies and Due Diligence Processes in Relation to Forced Labour and Child Labour<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Values<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Policies<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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Due Diligence Processes<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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Assessing the Risks of Modern Slavery in Dare Foods\u2019 Operations and Supply Chain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Components of the Business and Supply Chain that Carry a Risk of Forced Labour and Child Labour<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Measures Taken to Remediate Forced Labour and Child Labour<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Remediation of the Loss of Income to the Most Vulnerable Families<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Training<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Assessing Effectiveness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Approval of Attestation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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President
May 31, 2025<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"