Tag Archives: withbrie

Leonard Conlin: Elevating Cheese Culture at Calgary Co-op in Alberta

Alberta Cheese Shops, News, Specials and Events, , ,

When you browse the cheese case at Calgary Co-op, you might not see Leonard Conlin behind the counter — but you’ll certainly see his influence. As Calgary Co-op’s Deli Cheese Merchandising Coordinator and Alberta’s few active ACS Certified Cheese Professional®, Leonard is shaping how cheese is presented, understood, and enjoyed across all the Calgary Co-op locations.

Leonard has dedicated over 11 years to the art of cheesemongering. He began in a boutique cheese shop, spending eight years developing a deep understanding of artisan producers, before joining Calgary Co-op three years ago. His role today is both hands-on and educational. As an ACS Certified Cheese Professional®, he belongs to a select group in Western Canada recognized for mastery of cheese science, handling, and sensory evaluation. Beyond technical expertise, Leonard is a mentor and educator. He trains and inspires Calgary Co-op staff, building a stronger knowledge base so that customers can trust the advice they receive in-store. Our Master Cheese Maker Paul Sutter visited recently to present on one of their staff training days and was very impress on the training that has been put into place.

Leonard also oversees how cheese is sourced, displayed, and recommended, ensuring that Calgary Co-op members discover new flavours and pairings. With more than a decade of experience in pairing wine, beer, and spirits with cheese, his influence extends beyond the counter to the way customers experience food at home.

Leonard’s path to cheese is informed by a life full of eclectic experiences. A former national endurance cyclist, he also worked in fashion retail and pediatric orthotic care, careers that honed his eye for detail, kindness, and his commitment to improving people’s lives. This Renaissance perspective shapes how he approaches cheese. Just as he once curated clothing with style and precision, currently curates his own photography, he also curates food experiences with craftsmanship and individuality. His background makes him uniquely suited to bring depth and personality to Calgary Co-op’s cheese program.

Calgary Co-op has been a community-driven grocer since 1956, built on the principles of local ownership, sourcing, and reinvestment in Alberta. It is an organization that values quality, local partnerships, and member experience — exactly the values that guide Leonard’s work. With his leadership, Calgary Co-op customers encounter cheese cases that highlight artisan producers, showcase Canadian excellence, and encourage exploration. His influence ensures that cheeses like those from Natural Pastures are not just placed on shelves, but given context, pairing ideas, and the spotlight they deserve.

At Natural Pastures Cheese Company, we are proud to have Leonard championing our cheeses within Calgary Co-op. His training programs, merchandising vision, and educational leadership mean that when you pick up our cheese at Calgary Co-op, you are also benefiting from his expertise — whether through a staff recommendation, a pairing tip, or the thoughtful way the cheese is presented. Thanks to Leonard, Calgary Co-op shoppers don’t just buy cheese. They discover it.

Thank you to our Calgary Sales Co-Ordinator Danielle Smith for attending a members event and being a great photographer! If you are in Alberta and looking for our cheese just contact our us on our wholesale page: https://naturalpastures.com/wholesale/

Meet the Heart Behind the Hive: Daniel of Big D’s Bees

Press Release, Vancouver Island Strong Stories, , , , ,

Meet the Heart Behind the Hive: Daniel of Big D’s Bees

Article by Anyssa Jane – Natural Pastures Cheese

Tucked into the fertile landscapes of the Comox Valley, Big D’s Bees is more than just a honey company—it’s the expression of a life rooted in family, faith, and the rhythms of the land. At the center of it all is Daniel, the beekeeper-turned-entrepreneur whose journey into the food world started not with a business plan, but with a fascination for bugs.

Daniel didn’t always picture himself running a honey business. Growing up in the dairy industry, he understood hard work and the value of honest food—but bees? That was an unexpected twist. What began as a curiosity quickly turned into a passion, and before long, a full-fledged business. Today, Big D’s Bees produces raw honey the old-fashioned way, with a deep respect for the bees, the land, and the people they feed.

“For me, honey isn’t just a product, it’s a way of life,” Daniel says. “Beekeeping connects me to generations of farmers who understood the importance of working with the seasons, not against them.”

There’s a moment Daniel often talks about—a defining one. Standing in a buzzing bee yard during his first harvest, he cracked open a fresh frame of honey, tasted it straight from the comb, and knew: this was it. It wasn’t just about honey. It was about creating something real—something people could taste, trust, and bring into their homes.

And it shows. Big D’s honey has become a staple in many kitchens, often enjoyed in tea, drizzled over toast, or folded into baked goods. But one of Daniel’s favourite unexpected pairings? Prosciutto & Pear Stone Oven Pizza finished with a delicate Fireweed Honey drizzle. Sweet, savory, rich and floral—it’s a local favourite that proves honey can do more than just sweeten your tea.

Over the past 20 years, Daniel and his wife have built Big D’s Bees together, learning as they go. One of the biggest lessons? Letting go of the idea that he had to do everything himself. “Building a team has made the business stronger—and the work more rewarding,” he reflects.

Daniel’s wife Justine works along side him doing marketing and distribution for the company. The couple enjoys raising their daughter and sons here in the beautiful Comox Valley region.

Through it all, Daniel’s food philosophy remains beautifully simple: “Rooted in faith, guided by the rhythms of farming, and fueled by a love for family—my food philosophy is all about creating honest, nourishing products that connect people back to what matters most.”

And if you ever found yourself at Daniel’s dream dinner party, you’d be in fine company: Jesus, Noah, and Ray Charles. Over steak, red wine, and ice cream, they’d talk faith, stories of old, and wrap up the evening with a drum and piano jam session.

Big D’s Bees is more than a local honey producer—it’s a reflection of a life lived with care, patience, and purpose. From hive to jar, Daniel’s honey is a golden reminder of what happens when we slow down, listen to the land, and let the bees do their magic.

We sell the honey here in our Artisan Cheese Shop at Natural Pastures Cheese open Monday to Friday 9-4 closed Holidays.