Support Local Foodies: Mary’s Brigadeiro

All Mary’s Brigadeiro photos were used with permission

During this time of great instability and change, I have been watching the news and listening to many voices. I have wanted to help in what way I can. I find right now is a time for focusing on big issues. As much as I love sharing recipes and foodie stories (and you know I do) I think now is an excellent time to help other people out here on my site by supporting local foodies. Today’s focus?

All About Mary’s Brigadeiro

I am a HUGE fan of Mary’s Brigadeiro. I have written about her amazing handcrafted chocolate treasures and baked goods a few times. Even before she opened her store I could not wait to try her food and meet her in person.

I was there for the soft launch and right before I moved I was going to visit to say good-bye since I was leaving the neighbourhood. Unfortunately I ran out of time and then the pandemic hit. I have not been on public transit since and I can not drive so her place feels like the other side of the world right now.

Services Available Right Now!

But! I can still support her and her store and so can you. Mary’s Brigadeiro has decided to keep their physical store closed to the public at the moment as they wait for Toronto to completely re-open. They are running orders through their online shop and hope to re-open and resume business as usual in the new “normal.”

You can always receive the chocolates at home or even sending them as a gift (shipping worldwide), local deliveries available to addresses closer to their shop at 1912 Danforth Avenue near Woodbine Station. They also just started with their contactless store pick-ups from Thursdays to Saturdays 9 am to 2 pm.

“As we allow just one customer per time and your order will be ready in your name. All of these options are available online when you place your order and this way we can keep serving you with our sweet creations and sharing moments of happiness with confidence in a safety way.”

Black Lives Matter

I had already written to Mary to ask if she wanted me to write this post to support her as a local foodie and she enthusiastically had said yes. Then, I received her Black Lives Matter newsletter and was so moved and inspired at the same time. I once again asked if I could share her content and she encouraged me to do so:

“Mary’s Brigadeiro is led by a black woman, my self, when I immigrated to Canada in 2014 and our company stands with the Black community and I’d like to acknowledge the urgency of the fact that Black Lives Matter. Our voices must be heard and we must stand for true equality. Our hearts are still so heavy, we are still grieving for these tragedies and for the recent events in the US and Canada targeting black communities.

With everything that it’s happening now, each one of us must make the moves necessary for a better future based on unity & love. Silence can not be an option, show your voice, your fight for equality and justice in the ways that you can! If you still don’t know how to start, take this time to learn more about what happens in this systemic oppression that has been present for decades, open a book, read and focus your energy on listening, learning, sharing, supporting, feeling, acting and amplifying your voice!!! Because knowledge is POWER! The change starts with you and together, we can build a better future, but it needs to come from us! Look around you and question yourself, why don’t you see more diversity and equality around you? We can change this scenario (and we will). It’s happening and it’s just the beginning!”

What You Can Do

I know what I want to do! I want to share her amazing chocolate with the world. I started by buying my dad some of her Brigadeiro cookies for Father’s Day! For those who want most of the homemade cookie experience without making the dough themselves, you can buy her cookie doughs online! Brilliant! Each pack comes with 12 pre-portioned scoops of cookie dough, are ready to bake and includes baking instructions. That is way too complicated for my dad but maybe yours will appreciate this very special and unique gift.

I usually do not write about politics here on my site which I acknowledge makes me a very privileged white woman. That said, I have been passionate about human rights my entire life. So, make no mistake about it, I believe Black Lives Matter and support this movement 100%. I am following Mary’s advice by adding my voice to the mix, educating myself and listening to those who have not been heard, recognized or respected.

The world is in a pressure cooker right now and I hope, despite the horrific, tragic and unforgivable circumstances, real change is here and equality will take a huge leap forward.