As a mom, Alannah Smith found it difficult to find truly healthy snacks for her children. She wanted an option that was nutritious, convenient, and mess-free. SQUEEZE is dedicated to providing good-for-you snacks for families on the go.
While on maternity leave, Alannah Smith was driving home from a local market in Chilliwack with her two kids playfully bickering in the back seat when she noticed a problem: a lock of healthy, zero-guilt (but still fun) snack options available. Determined to fill this gap, she created a better alternative. Six months after returning to her 11 year HR career, Alannah took a leap of faith, handed in her notice and set up to make a positive impact on her community in Abbotsford, BC.
Alannah’s journey to creating SQUEEZE was deeply personal. As a mom, she found it difficult to find truly healthy snacks for her children when many so-called “natural” products contained hidden sugars and artificial ingredients. She wanted an option that was nutritious, convenient, and mess-free.
SQUEEZE is dedicated to providing good-for-you snacks for families on the go. Their mission is simple: deliver essential fruit snacks that are free from added sugars, artificial ingredients, and dyes - a promise that sets them apart in a market flooded with misleading labels and questionable ingredients. “No need to scrunch your face when reading our ingredients list,” Alannah says.
Another way SQUEEZE differentiates itself is through transparent packaging—customers can actually see the product in each bag, eliminating the guesswork.
The name SQUEEZE was inspired by her two daughters and the comforting feeling of a hug - a squeeze of love and warmth, much like the feeling parents want to provide when giving their children healthy, nourishing food.
Advice from Alannah to parents when choosing snacks is “always read the ingredients list first, then the nutrition label.”
Alannah contributes her success to taking small steps and having a large support system. Her first small step was conceiving the business name “SQUEEZE”, which she immediately put on Instagram. But it was her husband that always pushed her to keep going and to excel beyond her comfort level. Alannah said her family’s support kept her going. Her hardest lesson was to let go of fear and judgement as they only ever held her back.
One of Alannah’s most memorable moments was landing her first retail distributor, Yes Chef. The owner was so impressed that they agreed to merchandize her product on the spot—leading to a celebratory happy dance in the parking lot!
Alannah encourages entrepreneurs to celebrate their small victories, whether it's launching a website, securing a new distributor, or reaching a milestone they once only dreamed about. "It’s easy to get caught up in the next step and forget to appreciate how far you’ve come," she advises. "Take a moment to acknowledge your progress. Those small wins add up, and they’re proof that you’re moving in the right direction. Even doing a living room happy dance or ice cream date will do the trick."
The future looks bright as the company sets its sights on expanding across Canada, ensuring its products reach families nationwide. With a strong focus on becoming the go-to snack for busy moms, the brand aims to provide convenient, wholesome options that fit seamlessly into their daily routines. Innovation remains at the heart of growth, with exciting new flavor ideas like Apple Cinnamon, Summer Peach, and Raspberries on the horizon, offering fresh and delicious choices for customers. To support this expansion and increased demand, the company would love to scale by building a strong team to drive its mission forward.
Many people confuse freeze-dried fruit with dehydrated fruit. The difference? Freeze-dried fruit is light and airy, while dehydrated fruit is leathery and wet. SQUEEZE specializes in freeze-dried fruit, ensuring maximum crunch and freshness.
SQUEEZE current flavor lineup includes:
Mango and strawberries are a favorite among young children.
Taste Test Review
I had the opportunity to try SQUEEZE myself, and here’s my take:
My rankings:
Here is just a few local retail spots you can purchase SQUEEZE:
2619 Montrose Avenue, Abbotsford, BC V2S 3T5
115 – 1828 McCallum Road, Abbotsford, BC V2S 0H9
20497 Fraser Highway, Langley, BC V3A 4G3
101 – 46132 Yale Road, Chilliwack, BC V2P 0J6
Abbotsford, BC
633 East 15th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5T 2R4
You can find all more locations here: STOCKISTS – SQUEEZE or buy direct from squeezegoods.ca. Alannah also offers an Essentials Bundle on their website, which provides 1 10% discount and includes two of every flavour.
SQUEEZE will be featured at the Empower & Glow Event at West Coast Gardens on February 8 & 9. This event includes an artisan market, food trucks, and a live DJ. Attendees get 10% off storewide with a ticket purchase. Weekend passes are $20.
Credit to retailers for their support & West Coast Gardens for hosting the Empower & Glow event.
Squeeze is a game-changer for parents looking for healthy, on-the-go snacks. With its clean ingredients, transparency, and commitment to quality, this brand is on a clear path to becoming a household name.
For more information, visit squeezegoods.ca
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Jenny is a business insurance broker with Waypoint Insurance. She can be reached at 604-317-6755 or jhansen@waypoint.ca. Connect with Jenny on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-holly-hansen-365b691b/. Connect with Jenny at BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/jennyhollyhansen.bsky.social
Jenny Holly Hansen is a cohost with Chris Sturges of the Langley Impact Networking Group. You are welcome to join us on Thursday’s from 4pm to 6pm at: Sidebar Bar and Grill: 100b - 20018 83A Avenue, Langley, BC V2Y 3R4
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