If you live within a three-hour drive of the US border, you might know the specific kind of Trader Joe’s envy that hits when you scroll through TikTok or Instagram. You see posts about “Cookie Butter,” “Jingle Jangle,” or whatever pumpkin-spiced invention has taken over the social media-verse that week.
Trader Joe’s has mastered the art of making grocery shopping feel like a treasure hunt. It’s not about buying milk; it’s about discovering something you didn’t know even existed or that you needed.
For years, rumours of a Canadian Trader Joe’s expansion have popped up, but so far none have proven to be true. But here is a truth: unless you just want to go for a drive and see some different scenery down south, we don’t actually need Trader Joe’s.
What we have is our own store that hits similar notes: private-label obsession, chef-inspired creations, and snacks you can’t find anywhere else. That store is Farm Boy.
And unlike Trader Joe’s, you can get these items delivered right to your door without waiting to cross the border. Note that physical stores may have a wider selection than online, but all items mentioned in this post are available to order to your door through Voilà. The other downside is that (currently) Farm Boy items have a limited selection outside of Ontario.
Quick note: Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means Maplecrafted may earn a small commission if you decide to try Voilà through them. It never affects our opinions, and it never costs you anything extra.
The “Vibe Check”: Why Farm Boy is Canada’s Trader Joe’s
If you ask anyone from Ontario where to go for a Trader Joe’s experience, they probably won’t hesitate before saying Farm Boy. We’ve made this comparison when talking to friends, and it’s a solid bet that many others do too.
But why do people compare Farm Boy and Trader Joes?
It comes down to three things:
1. The “Private Label” Obsession
Go to a standard grocery store, and you see Heinz, Kraft, and Kellogg’s. Go to Trader Joe’s, and you see “Trader Joe’s” on everything. Farm Boy follows this model. They realized early on that if they make the product themselves, they can control the quality and cut out the middleman.
They may have a few national brands here and there, but unlike going to most grocery stores where you shop for any generic dip, you go to Farm Boy specifically for the Eda-Yummy Spicy Kale Dip, the Double Baked Pita Chips, or the Lemon Garlic Dressing. By building a brand around their own label, they’ve created a sense of trust. If it has the Farm Boy logo, it’s probably going to be good.
2. The “Treasure Hunt” Experience
Part of the draw with Trader Joe’s is the seasonality. The Peppermint Jo-Jo’s are only there for a few weeks in December, so you stock up. Farm Boy leans into this “limited time” strategy.
Walk in during October and find Pumpkin Spice everything. Walk in during the summer and it’s all about BBQ sauces and lemon-infused treats. Stock is always rotated, turning a mundane weeknight grocery run into a discovery session.
3. The “Clean Label” Promise
Trader Joe’s built its reputation on banning artificial flavours, preservatives, and GMOs from their private label. Farm Boy has a similar “Clean Label” promise. They avoid high-fructose corn syrup and artificial colours in their private-label goods. For shoppers who are obsessively flipping packages to read the ingredient list, Farm Boy offers some peace of mind.
New customers get up to $60 total off their first four orders (and free delivery), which softens the landing if you’re trying Voilà for the first time. We didn’t sign up because of the promo, but it’s a nice way to test the service without committing. Read on to see if it’s for you.
The Swap: 10 Farm Boy Items to Replace Your Trader Joe’s Faves
We found 10 popular Trader Joe’s items and tried to match them up with their Farm Boy equivalents. While they aren’t always like-for-like identical clones, they fill the same spiritual void in your pantry. (Note: Prices are approximate and subject to change.)
The Dip
Trader Joe’s: Spinach & Kale Greek Yogurt Dip
Farm Boy: Eda-Yummy Spicy Kale Dip (~$5.99)
If there is one item that converts people to Farm Boy, it’s this. Much like TJ’s famous dips, this isn’t just “dip.” It’s a creamy, spicy blend of edamame, kale, and jalapeños. It has a rich texture without the heaviness of dairy-based dips. It is the undisputed king of the Canadian dip aisle and serves as the perfect gateway drug to the rest of the store. (In our household, the Buffalo Delightfully Delicious Dip goes equally fast).
The “Put It On Everything” Dressing
Trader Joe’s: Green Goddess Salad Dressing
Farm Boy: Lemon Garlic Dressing (~$5.99)
Trader Joe’s fans might drink the Green Goddess dressing, but Farm Boy fans might actually riot if the Lemon Garlic Dressing ever disappeared. This is a simple vinaigrette made up of mostly olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic, but the balance is perfect. It doubles as a marinade for chicken, a dip for warm bread, or a sauce for roasted veggies. If you’re looking for something a bit more unique, Farm Boy also offers Apple Cider Coleslaw Dressing and Creamy Mango Poppyseed Dressing.
The Cult Seasoning
Trader Joe’s: Everything but the Bagel Seasoning
Farm Boy: Everything Bagel Seasoning (~$5.99)
Same same. Trader Joe’s wins on price here (it’s quite cheap in the US), but Farm Boy wins on accessibility. Their version captures the same sesame-garlic-onion crunch. You no longer need to hoard 12 bottles to stock your pantry every time you visit Buffalo. Sprinkle this on avocado toast or eggs and you won’t know the difference.
The “Healthy-ish” Sweet Snack
Trader Joe’s: Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds
Farm Boy: Double Roasted Dark Chocolate Almonds (~$8.49 / 275g bag)
One of the dangers of Trader Joe’s is buying a massive tub of chocolate almonds and finding them gone by the time you get home. Farm Boy sells their “Double Roasted” almonds in small 80g bags or 275g “single-serving-on-a-drive-home” bag. The “double roast” gives them a deeper, nuttier crunch that stands up to the chocolate better than the standard variety.
The Crunchy Salty Snack
Trader Joe’s: Pita Chips
Farm Boy: Double Baked Pita Chips (~$4.99)
Farm Boy’s Double Baked Pita Chips are a snack cupboard staple. They’re thicker and crunchier than the average chip, making them the only vessel strong enough to handle the aforementioned Eda-Yummy dip without breaking. They come in flavours like “Multigrain” and “Garlic & Herb” that rival any TJ’s option.
The “I Can’t Believe It’s Vegan” Item
Trader Joe’s: Garlic Spread Dip
Farm Boy: Spicy Toum (~$4.99)
Trader Joe’s Garlic Spread is a staple for vegans, but Farm Boy’s Toum (a traditional Lebanese garlic sauce) is the real deal. It’s fluffy, potent, and accidentally vegan. It adds a restaurant-quality garlic kick to shawarma, grilled veggies, or just about anything really.
The Unique Freezer Find
Trader Joe’s: Buffalo Chicken Poppers
Farm Boy: Buffalo Chicken Crispy Wontons (~$9.99)
This is where Farm Boy gets weird in the best way. These are crispy wonton shells stuffed with spicy buffalo chicken dip. It’s the kind of innovative “mash-up” appetizer that makes you stop and stare at the freezer aisle for a hit of that Trader Joe’s trademark “discovery” component.
The Gourmet Pizza
Trader Joe’s: Truffle Flatbread
Farm Boy: Stone-Baked Meat Lovers Pinsa (~$11.99)
Trader Joe’s is famous for its frozen flatbreads, but Farm Boy is pushing the “Pinsa” (a Roman-style pizza crust that is lighter and airier). Their frozen pizzas feel less like a “frozen backup meal” and more like a deliberate Friday night dinner choice.
The Seasonal Bakery Treat
Trader Joe’s: Danish Kringle
Farm Boy: Mince Tarts ($5.99 / 6-pack)
Both stores offer seasonal bakery items that disappear as quickly as they arrive. Trader Joe’s has the Kringle (a cult-favourite Danish pastry), but Farm Boy has perfected the Mince Tart. Unlike some overly sweet, gummy versions you might find elsewhere, Farm Boy’s is citrus-forward, spicy, and encased in a buttery shell that rivals most homemade versions.
The “Indulgent Spread” Swap
Trader Joe’s: Speculoos Cookie Butter
Farm Boy: Maple Caramel Spread (~$6.99)
Neither option is actual butter, but… aren’t they? While Farm Boy doesn’t do the “crushed cookie” spread, they have something arguably better: Maple Caramel. It’s thick, rich, and made with real Canadian maple syrup. Just like Cookie Butter, it elevates a boring piece of toast into a dessert and captures the same “I shouldn’t eat this whole jar…but I’m here and all about it” energy.
How to Get Farm Boy Delivered
There are two main downsides to Farm Boy:
- The physical stores can get incredibly busy, especially on weekends. Depending on where you live, it can be a bit of a contact sport.
- Farm Boy stores are only in Ontario.
Fortunately, because Farm Boy was acquired by Sobeys, you can access their catalogue through Voilà.
Note: The Farm Boy product selection on Voilà may be limited outside of Ontario, but many items are available in Québec. Since their acquisition, the chain has been expanding so it’s likely that selection will continue to open up.
Why delivery through Voilà matters for the Trader Joe’s fan:
Voilà is different from other delivery apps (like Instacart) where a random person shops in a potentially out-of-stock store for you. Voilà fulfills orders from a central, robot-powered warehouse.
The “Combo Shop”: At Trader Joe’s, you usually have to go to a second store to buy “boring” stuff like paper towels or big-brand detergent. With Voilà, you can buy your unique Farm Boy snacks and your standard groceries in one single order.
Freshness: Because the warehouse is temperature-controlled and automated, your produce isn’t sitting in a warm cart while a shopper wanders the aisles and your avocados haven’t been squeezed by 30 other people.
Inventory Accuracy: If the Viola says the Lemon Garlic Dressing is in stock, it’s actually there. Over dozens of orders, we’ve only seen one time where an ordered item was out of stock.
How to find Farm Boy on Voilà:
- Go to the Voilà website or app.
- Click on the “Farm Boy” tab in the navigation menu, filter by Brand > Farm Boy, or just search “Farm Boy”.
- Browse by “Fan Favourites” to see what everyone else is buying.
Voilà
Voilà is a Canadian online grocery service backed by Sobeys, delivering fresh food and household essentials directly to your door. Known for its high accuracy and freshness guarantees, Voilà also offers exclusive access to local brands like Farm Boy and Longo’s in select regions.
