A Furry Inspiration Takes the Lead (1991)
In 1991, Patricia (Patty) Grillo and her family in Toronto found themselves struggling to find dog treats healthy enough for their "very picky American Eskimo puppy," Tasha. Unwilling to compromise on nutrition, Patty began experimenting in her own kitchen and, after numerous trials, finally perfected a recipe that had Tasha literally waiting by the “cookie cupboard” for a treat. That moment marked the birth of the Northern Biscuit concept.
Baking Dreams in an Apartment (Early 1990s)
Word quickly spread among friends, neighbours, and coworkers, Patty’s homemade biscuits were a hit. Soon, baking became a round-the-clock affair. They converted their two-bedroom apartment into a petite bakery: makeshift extra oven racks, a handheld mixer, a small meat grinder, even turning their spare bedroom into a temporary walk-in cooler with help from a crack open window for cold air. Midnight flour and liver runs from the parking lot became routine.
Markets, Momentum & A Life-Altering Decision
To grow demand, Patty and her husband Nick showed up every Saturday at 4 a.m. with their young children in tow to sell biscuits at St. Jacobs Farmers Market, packaged simply in brown paper lunch bags. Despite initially being met with amusement, loyal repeat customers began returning and more stores expressed interest. Their first wholesale partnership came from The Apple Factory, a local market, who took 12 bags on consignment. That led to a trickle of calls from pet stores, all asking for more of those biscuits.
Just as the business gained traction, life threw a curveball: Nick was transferred to Halifax for work. The family flew east with the question of abandoning everything behind. Yet, upon their return to Toronto, Patty found their answering machine flooded with messages: “where are my cookies?... my dog will not eat anything else!... where can I buy more?” It was clear the demand was real, so Nick quit his job, and they resumed baking full-time.
Growing Roots While Staying True
Fast forward nearly three decades: Northern Biscuit continues to uphold its founding values. Our biscuit still uses ingredients that remain fresh, local, human-grade, and made with care.
A Snapshot Today
Now proudly based in Concord, Ontario, Northern Biscuit has grown into a respected Canadian brand. We offer a broad line-up of natural, wheat‑free, limited‑ingredient dog treats. We also offer functional products like Fresh Breath or Hip & Joint formulas. Crafted with real, local ingredients!
