LYF Food

LYF Food Technologies Inc. is a Canadian company specializing in the manufacturing of cannabis-infused edibles for the recreational market. Founded in 2018 by Paolo Pero and Matthew Amado, the company established a purpose-built, 10,500-square-foot manufacturing facility in Kelowna, British Columbia. The business was created to address a gap in the market for high-quality edibles that prioritize taste and consumer experience, leveraging over 25 years of combined experience in large-scale food manufacturing.

The company's business model focused on producing a wide range of edible products, including chocolates, confectioneries, baked goods, and health-focused foods. LYF offered both white-label solutions for other licensed producers and developed its own in-house brands. This strategy allowed them to turn potential competitors into strategic partners. Their product lines featured items such as gummies, lozenges, mints, and sublingual tablets, with options for vegan, sugar-free, and low-sugar formats.

In January 2021, LYF Food Technologies was acquired by The Valens Company (now owned by SNDL Inc.), another Kelowna-based cannabis firm, in a deal valued at C$24.9 million, with potential for an additional C$17.5 million based on performance milestones. The acquisition was a strategic move for Valens to accelerate its entry into the rapidly growing cannabis edibles category. Following the acquisition, LYF's co-founders, Paolo Pero and Matthew Amado, joined the Valens team to continue product development and commercialization. The integrated company launched new products, such as Summit Wild Berry Soft Chews and Verse Soft Chews, shortly after the deal closed.

Keywords: cannabis edibles, confectionary, white label manufacturing, Canadian cannabis market, baked goods, chocolates, gummies, Kelowna, private label services, infused products, recreational cannabis, consumer packaged goods, food manufacturing, functional foods, nutraceuticals, Valens Company, SNDL Inc.