The Art of Local
At Nest, the story of every dish begins long before it’s plated. It starts in the fields of Ontario, on family-run farms, and then to a North York warehouse where these stories converge.
Enter 100 km Foods. Founded by Paul Sawtell and Grace Mandarano in 2008, this Certified B Corporation was created to solve a simple challenge: how do chefs who care about provenance connect with the farmers who make it possible?
Their answer was simple – build a transparent, traceable network that lets chefs source directly from local producers without the layers that dilute authenticity.
From Field to Fork, Seamlessly
Four days a week, 100 km Foods trucks set out across Ontario to gather farm-fresh produce: juicy Ontario strawberries, golden zucchini, aged cheddar from heritage dairies, even the jars of hot honey that lend a kick to our chicken sandwiches.
Everything returns to their North York facility where it’s packed, sorted, and sent back out, arriving in kitchens like ours within hours. The result is a rhythm of freshness you can taste.
“We’re hoping to be that one-stop shop for local food for chefs,” says co-founder Paul. “There are so many who care about where their food comes from.”
A Shared Philosophy
Currently Nest sources roughly 80 percent of its menu locally, an intentional choice that shapes the flavour and feel of every meal. For Chef Jordan and his team, working with 100 km Foods isn’t just practical, it’s a creative spark.
“It excites our chefs and cooks,” says Jordan. “We get to build menus around what’s growing right here.”
Each delivery brings inspiration: seasonal vegetables, Ontario proteins, and specialty items that keep the menu connected to the land around where it operates.
The People Behind the Produce
Among 100 km Foods’ many partners are family-run farms that grow an incredible variety of Ontario crops, everything from leafy greens to root vegetables and orchard fruit. By handling the distribution, 100 km Foods allows those farmers to focus on what they do best while ensuring their harvests reach restaurants and guests who appreciate them.
It’s a system built on proximity and trust: farmers, drivers, chefs, and diners all linked through a shared commitment to Ontario’s food landscape.
Where Values Meet Craft
What distinguishes 100 km Foods isn’t only their efficiency, it’s their principles. As a Certified B Corp, they measure success by social and environmental impact as much as profit. Farmers set fair prices. Waste is minimized. Transparency is standard.
When restaurant dining paused during the pandemic, they pivoted within days to offer home deliveries, keeping producers connected to customers and food moving through the local economy. That resilience and sense of purpose still define the company today.
The Taste of Local
When a 100 km Food truck arrives here at Trail Hub, it completes a circle of care. Crates are opened, ingredients checked, and within hours they’re transformed in the kitchen to elevated dishes that reflect Durham’s character and season.
It’s more than freshness, it’s connection. Each ingredient carries the story of the people who grew it and the community that supports it.
Experience the Connection
Through our partnership with 100 km Foods, every plate at Nest embodies the season, the land, and the craftsmanship behind Ontario’s finest ingredients.
Reserve your table at Nest and taste a refined expression of local dining at Trail Hub.
About the Author
Trail Hub is your premier destination for adventure in the Greater Toronto Area. Situated in the Durham Region, we are trailside to more than 240 km of trails perfect for biking, hiking, disc golf, and skiing. Our chalet offers farm-to-table dining, breathtaking vistas, and memorable events such as corporate gatherings and weddings. Immerse yourself in the nature and vibrant community at Trail Hub.
Explore. Experience. Connect.