Saturday Farmers’ Market Vendor Feature: Chef Pola Culinary
Entering their second year at our market this week we are featuring, Chef Pola Culinary! At our markets, Chef Pola Culinary sells baked, sugar- free, and gluten-free, organic granola. In addition to making delicious granola, Chef Pola Culinary provides brand management to natural and functional food products from around the world. We recently had the pleasure of chatting with the owner and ten-year patron of our market, Pola Schacter Ley, to find out more.
How long has Chef Pola Culinary been around? How did you get started?
In our 7th year as chef pola culinary inc. My husband and I basically merged our talents and skills after many years of working independently in different capacities of the food and natural products industry. I had 20 + years in food service, hospitality, and catering industry. Steven had many years in sales, distribution food brokering, importing and brand management.
Your motto is sustainable, pure, and selective; how do you incoporporate this into your products?
By choosing every ingredient with intention and purpose. Building relationships with business partners who are like minded, transparent and practice sustainable farming and or sourcing with integrity and balance.
What are the three most important things you think people should know about Chef Pola Culinary Inc.?
- Health is number One.
- We work with family businesses’ and brands that offer health benefits.
- It’s all about the ingredients….. Chef Pola approved.
You have year of experience as a catering chef, how do you bring this experience into your business?
I have learned how to think on my feet, solve problems, be creative, communicate clearly and bring energy to the table. Love what you do, be professional, and enjoy the process.
You also sell other businesses’ products what process goes into selecting these? 
They have to have a point of difference, match our standards and brand values. We have to be passionate and love the products; we cannot work with a brand we wouldn’t use ourselves. There has to be a health benefit or a functional advantage. The people we partner with have to like and trust with open communication on both sides. Our goal is to create a win-win situation for both parties and build a long term successful growth.
If you could only have one of your products for the rest of your life which one would it be?
My granola of course.
Why did you choose to come to the UBC Saturday Market specifically?
I have been a patron for over ten years, signed the petition when they tried to expropriate the land, and been a part of this community (west side Vancouver) for 30 years. I like the fact that UBC farm is a learning centre, is organic, and has a wonderfully friendly vibe.
Where else can customers find you? Is there anything else you want them to know?
Currently in BC only – at both Stongs locations Dunbar & North van. Meridian Farm markets, Greens organic –Kits, Famous Foods –East Van, On Vancouver Island in Market on Yates, Lifestyle Market, and Mount Douglas market, in the Yukon – Riverside grocery and Ferraro Foods in Trail & Rossland BC with more stores coming soon.