With their appearance on the TV show Les Dragons boosting exposure and visibility, two entrepreneurs at heart set out to give new life to a very interesting concept: creating an organic honey-like product… from apples!

It was four years ago, at an agri-food expo in Vancouver, that Frédéric Boucher first came across bumble bloom, a small local business manufacturing the now-famous nectar. Given his 10+ years of experience in agri-food marketing, advertising and promotions, Frédéric was quick to identify ways to improve the overall concept of what he believed to be a very promising product indeed.  

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the entrepreneur and his wife, Géraldine L’Hour (a passionate advocate of environmental preservation), became even more keen on undertaking an innovative project. Like many people, they had time to reflect on the new reality and were able to see how changing some of our daily habits could have a positive effect on the environment. “Nature just kind of took over, and this gave us food for thought about the type of business we wanted to build,” says Frédéric.

As the weeks went by, the couple came to the conclusion that a vegan, eco-responsible business was the way to go. As luck would have it—and much to the delight of the two entrepreneurs—the bumble bloom team in Vancouver had all but put an end to production and were no longer planning to move forward with the business project.

With the possibility of a buyout on the table, the couple reviewed the concept and made notes on how to improve it in every way possible, from recipes to branding, marketing to exposure and reach. Thoroughly satisfied with their acquisition of the small Vancouver business, they launched a Québec version of the organic apple-based honey alternative 10 months ago, and bumble bloom is now available in more than 250 outlets nationwide.

Needless to say, there has been a hive of interest in bumble bloom! The unique organic honey-like product has a sophisticated and complex production process. Despite being plant-based, the honey alternative is very similar to the honey produced by bees; bumble bloom even has the same texture, colour and PH as conventional honey!

“It’s deliciously sticky and tastes simply divine!” says Frédéric, a self-proclaimed foodie. “And because it’s made from apples, the bees get a much-needed break, which aligns perfectly with our philosophy: honey is for the bees.” A high-quality organic honey alternative, bumble bloom is coveted by chefs and used in some 20 restaurants across Canada, not only because it’s a unique, eco-friendly product, but also for its versatility.

The company currently has three flavours of organic bumble bloom and plans to develop a full product line if it can secure the necessary funding. “We have tons of ideas about the future of bumble bloom; the possibilities are endless. There’s growing interest from manufacturers who want to use our organic and vegan apple-based honey alternative in their products. This could take our little company very far,” exclaims Géraldine.

PRANA founder Marie-Josée Richer has nothing but great things to say about Frédéric and Géraldine’s work and agreed to take on an advisory role on the basis of their shared interests. With any luck, this relationship will help with financing efforts, given the young entrepreneurs’ interest in meeting with potential investors.

The couple’s long-term goal? To get a jar of organic bumble bloom honey alternative on the table in every Canadian household, so that the bees can produce the honey they need for themselves.

In addition to being delicious, bumble bloom meets all the necessary standards set by the food authorities—a huge plus, to say the least. Quality control is up to par and the honey alternative is certified organic in Québec, Canada, the United States and Europe.