Last June just after Veg Fest, Daiya started trickling into Ottawa stores, much to the immense excitement of vegans across the city and beyond.
For the uninitiated, Daiya is the first vegan “cheese” that’s actually really good.
OK, that may be a bit subjective. But only a bit. It melts, and it substitutes perfectly for mozzarella and cheddar shreds in a wide variety of culinary applications. And, did I mention that it tastes good?
Locally, restaurants like Trella, the Arrow and Loon, Credible Edibles, Cafe My House and Green Earth have made it a part of their menu.
Daiya products do not contain many common allergens including soy, dairy (casein or lactose) gluten, egg, peanuts, and tree nuts (excluding coconut).
At my house, we buy cheddar Daiya by the five pound bag at Rainbow Foods. It’s imply the most cost effective way for a family of four to get its fix. But most normal people buy Daiya in little half pound bags that could be purchased only at select health food stores.
That is, until now. Today I spotted Daiya at Loblaws on Baseline and Merivale. My Facebook post to that effect garnered an enthusiastic response, with other Daiya sightings shared as the excitement grew. It’s not just that Daiya is more easily available for vegans and vegetarians who want it, it’s the sheer excitement that a cherished vegan substitute is being prominently displayed in front of a mainstream, non-vegan audience. How many people will see it and give it a try, who otherwise wouldn’t because they’d never seen it?
So in addition to the usual suspects (Rainbow Foods, Market Organics, Natural Food Pantry), and Loblaws Baseline/Merivale, Daiya has also been spotted at Superstore and Independent stores in Orleans.
Please share in the comments if you’ve spotted Daiya somewhere else in Ottawa!
NCVA volunteer Deb Gleason put it best: “This makes me so happy. Daiya has gone mainstream. LOVE IT.”
VegOttawa Association 
Herb and Spice on Wellington carries Daiya,
Tip:
At Dessureault Independent in Orleans (1619 Orleans Blvd), look in the Natural Products section.
At Superstore in Orleans (4270 Innes Rd), look in the cooler which contains Yves Veggie and Gardein products (near produce/deli). It isn’t with the other lactose-free and vegan cheeses which are in the Natural Products aisle.
Yes, Herb and Spice on Bank does too, although it seems a bit sporadic.
Here’s the (not up-to-date) list from Daiya’s Web site (the NCVA has not verified it either):
Herb & Spice Shop – Bank Street
375 Bank Street
Ottawa, ON
K2P 1Y2
613 232 4087
The Natural Food Pantry – Westgate
1309 Carling Ave.
Ottawa, ON
K1Z 7L3
613-728-1255
Parma Ravioli
1314 Wellington St.
Ottawa, ON
K1Y 3B2
613-722-6003
Misto Fine Food Emporium
1387 Carling Avenue
Ottawa, ON
K1Z 7L6
613-798-9367
The Wheat Berry Organic and Natural Foodstore
2006 Main Street
Ottawa, ON
K1S 1C6
613 235 7580
The Natural Food Pantry – Billings Bridge Center
2277 Riverside Dr.
Ottawa, ON
K1H 7X6
613-737-9330
Market Organics
126 York St
Ottawa, ON
K1N 5T5
613-241-6629
Il Negozio Nicastro
792 Bank St
Ottawa, ON
K1S 3V8
(613) 237-3209
Rainbow Natural Foods
1487 Richmond Road
Ottawa, ON
K2B 6R9
(613) 726-9200
Herb & Spice Shop – Wellington
1310 Wellington Street West
Ottawa, ON
K1Y 3B2
613 722 5747
Il Negozio Nicastro
355 Wellington Street West
Ottawa, ON
K1Y 3C2
(613) 729-9100
La Bottega Nicastro Fine Food Shop
64 George Street
Ottawa, ON
K1N 5V9
(613) 789-7575
Independent at Billings Bridge.
Mcdaniel’s Independent at 200 Grant Carman Drive and the Loblaws at 1980 Baseline Road also have Daiya!
Superstore in Westboro has it too. 🙂
Loblaws in Barrhaven has it between the deli and the bread section.