FAQ
GENERAL
Where can I find your products?
In Quebec, our products are sold at IGA and its sub-banners (Les Marchés Tradition, Bonichoix, Rachelle-Béry) as well as in several independent grocery stores. You’ll find a more detailed list per product below.
Do you offer gluten-free products?
Do your products contain allergens?
We specify all ingredients, common allergens and possible cross-contaminations on the label of each product. Legally, all priority allergens must be identified in the list of ingredients. However, if you have any questions about a specific product, write to us at info@stefanofaita.com.
I would like to sell your products in my store. Who should I contact?
You can contact us directly at info@stefanofaita.com.
Sauces
Where can I find your sauces?
Is there gluten in your sauces?
No, all of our sauces are gluten free.
What type of tomatoes do you use for your sauces?
We use Roma tomatoes for our sauces. After being tested for their natural sugar content, the tomatoes are picked at peak ripeness by our producers in Italy, then seeded and cooked before being shipped here, where my team and I take care of the rest of the production.
How quickly must your sauces be used once the jar has been opened?
Can I freeze your sauces?
Yes, absolutely! Our tomato and meat-based sauces can be frozen once opened. However, we do not recommend that you freeze our cream-based sauces.
Why did you decide to make vegan sauces?
More and more people are looking for alternatives to meat and we wanted to offer that option to our consumers. We chose Vegeat, a plant based pea protein produced in Quebec to replace the meat in our sauces. And the result is pretty amazing!
Do your vegan sauces contain any additives?
No! Like all of our products, we chose simple and good ingredients. Our vegan sauces have no artificial preservatives, no additives, colours or artificial flavours and are soy and gluten free!
What product do you use in your vegan sauces ?
Our vegan meat and our vegan sausage and mushroom sauces are made from the same ingredients that we use in our original recipes but we replaced the meat with plant protein made from peas, produced in Quebec by the company Vegeat. So you’ll find the same texture and the same great taste, minus the meat!
Can I recycle or reuse your jars?
Of course! All of our jars are recyclable and you can also give them a second life. For example, reuse them as containers for your homemade pickles by simply purchasing new lids that may be found in some hardware stores. You can also get creative! Reuse them to store your salads, soups, sugar, coins, plant some fresh herbs, etc.
Do your sauces contain a lot of sodium?
Our sauces contain less sodium than most other brands on the market.
Pasta
Where can I find your pastas?
Our pastas are available at IGA, Provigo, Métro, Bonichoix, Rachelle-Béry, and at several independent retailers across Quebec.
How are your pastas made?
Why aren't your pastas made locally?
Indeed, our pastas are made in Italy. After having taken many steps and gathering all the information we needed, we opted for Italian wheat flour because it does not contain glyphosate and is non-GMO. Our goal is to offer a high-quality product that is affordable for all. It was impossible to find a local manufacturer that wanted to and was capable of making pasta the way we wanted, with bronze dies and a slow drying process like in Italy. That said, we aim for our products to be made here whenever possible.
Is your pasta packaging recyclable?
Our packaging is made with no. 5 plastic, which is recyclable in 7 of the 12 recycling plants in Quebec. We are proud to contribute to the Recyc Québec organization and hope that all the installations will soon be able to recycle this type of plastic, which is already recycled everywhere in Europe.
Soups
Where can I find your soups?
Our soups are sold in Québec at IGA, Marchés Traditions, Bonichoix, Rachelle-Béry and at several independent retailers. In Western Canada, they are available at Save On Foods, Urban Fare, Buy-Low Foods, Quality Foods, and Nesters Market.
Where are your soups made?
All our soups are made in Quebec.
Are your soups gluten-free?
The minestrone and the creamy tomato soups are gluten-free.
Do your soups contain a lot of sodium?
All the soups have 570mg of sodium per 1 cup serving. It’s 25% of the daily value and is lower than most brands.
Do you have a vegan soup?
Yes! The minestrone soup is vegan.
Do I need to add anything to the soup before eating it?
No, all our soups are ready to eat. Simply heat and serve! You can also add parmesan cheese or salt to taste since we paid special attention to the amount of sodium in our soups.
Pizzas
Where can I find your pizzas?
Our pizzas are available at all IGA, Metro, Provigo, Maxi and Adonis stores in Quebec and at a number of independent retailers across Quebec and Canada.
Are your pizzas gluten-free?
No, they are made with unbleached, enriched wheat flour.
Are you planning on making gluten-free pizzas?
Not currently, but you never know what the future might hold!
How many servings is each pizza?
Each pizza can be served as an individual portion for bigger appetites or shared by two people with a salad, for example.
Where are your pepperoni and sausage sourced?
Our meats come from Quebec and are entirely natural and nitrate free.
What is the sodium level in your pizzas?
Sausages
Where can I find your sausages?
Our sausages are sold exclusively at Sobeys banner stores (IGA, Marchés Tradition, Bonichoix and Rachelle Béry) and at a number of independent retailers in Quebec. It should be noted that not all IGA stores sell our products. Please check with your grocer.
Why are your sausages on the chunkier side?
Since we are looking to offer a sausage with more texture, we use whole-muscle cuts, and we grind the meat more coarsely than some other brands.
Do your sausages contain preservatives?
No! Our sausages are made with hormone-free, Quebec-grown pork and contain no preservatives or artificial flavours.
Is there gluten in your sausages?
No, they are gluten-free!
Why are the packages so hard to open?
We use a high-performance vacuum packaging system to ensure optimum sealing and to allow for a 21-day life span WITHOUT preservatives. There is a corner of the package that is pre-cut. Simply brake the black plastic off and slowly peel the top of the package off.
Where does the pork you use come from?
The pork is from Quebec.
Is the packaging recyclable?
The layer of plastic that covers the sausages is recyclable, however the black tray is not. We are also concerned with the issue of waste management and always try to find an appropriate solution but with vacuum-packed products like our sausages, we have fewer options.
Meatballs
Where can I find your meatballs?
Our meatballs are sold exclusively at Sobeys banner stores (IGA, Marchés Tradition, Bonichoix and Rachelle Béry) and several independent retailers in Quebec. It should be noted that not all IGA stores sell our products. Please check with your grocer.
Is there gluten in your meatballs?
No, they are gluten free! We use gluten-free bread crumbs made with rice flour and pea protein.
Why do you make your meatballs with pork instead of veal?
We decided to make our polpette with pork, because veal is very expensive and because we try to offer the best possible products, while also ensuring that they are as affordable and accessible as possible.
Why are the packages so hard to open?
We use a high-performance vacuum packaging system to ensure optimum sealing and to allow for a 21-day life span WITHOUT preservatives. There is a corner of the package that is pre-cut. Simply brake the black plastic off and slowly peel the top of the package off.
Is the packaging recyclable?
The layer of plastic that covers the meatballs and the cardboard pouch are recyclable, however the black tray is not. We are also concerned with the issue of waste management and always try to find an appropriate solution but with vacuum-packed products like our sausages, we have fewer options.
Wines
Where can I buy your wines?
Stefano organic wines are available in Quebec only at all Sobeys banner stores (IGA, Marchés Tradition, Bonichoix, Rachelle-Béry), Metro, Provigo and Costco.
Are your wines vegan?
Yes they are. Egg whites or a pork-based gelatin are sometimes used to filter the wines. This process is called fining. We don’t use it in our wines, so they are vegan!
What is the sugar content in your wines?
There are less than 3 grams of sugar per liter in our pinot grigio, catarratto and nerello mascalese wines. For a wine to be considered dry by the SAQ, there must be 4 grams of sugar or less per liter. Our wines are therefore considered dry.
Where do your wines come from?
They come from Sicily and are produced by the Colomba Bianca vineyard, the largest producer of organic wines in Italy.
What makes your wine organic?
The grapes are cultivated without chemical inputs, therefore without pesticides or herbicides.
Which grape variety is used in your rosé?
Nero D’Avola.
Spreads
Where can I find your spreads?
Our spreads are sold exclusively at Sobeys banner stores (IGA, Marchés Tradition, Bonichoix and Rachelle Béry) and at several independent retailers in Quebec.
Do your spreads contain gluten?
No, it is gluten free!
Are there peanuts or traces of peanuts in your spread?
No! Our spreads are manufactured in a peanut-free facility.
Where are the hazelnuts used in your spreads sourced?
We chose to source our hazelnuts in Oregon instead of Turkey. They travel fewer kilometers and are thus more eco-friendly!
Why are your spreads more expensive than those from other brands?
Our spreads are entirely made in Quebec (even the jar!) with ingredients of the highest quality. We also do not have the same volume of production and sales as other large corporations.
What makes your spreads better than other brands'?
Our spreads are made without palm oil, refined sugar, preservatives or articifial flavours.
Oils and vinegars
Where can I buy your oils and vinegars?
You can find our olive oils and vinegars exclusively at IGA and at some independent retailers across Canada.
Where are your olive oils and vinegars produced?
What is the difference between the different olive oils?
Our everyday extra-virgin olive (blue label) is made using 3 types of olive and can be used for cooking or seasoning, whereas our superior quality extra-virgin olive oil (green label) is made using only a single variety of olives, called Nocellara del Belice. We recommend using this one as a finishing oil, or in dips and vinaigrettes.
What is the difference between the 2 types of vinegar?
How can I use your spicy olive oil?
Our spicy olive oil is infused with classic Italian pepperoncini that give it a beautiful red hue. Drizzle it on your pizza, pasta and more for a little extra kick!
Charcuteries
Where can I find your charcuteries?
Our charcuteries are sold exclusively at IGA and Rachelle-Béry.
Do your charcuteries contain gluten?
No, they’re gluten free!
What makes your charcuteries different from other brands'?
Our deli meats are made artisinally in Quebec according to Italian family recipes using local pork raised without hormones or antibiotics. They’re also free from nitrates, nitrites, gluten and artificial preservatives.
Tiramisù
Where can I buy your tiramisù?
Our tiramisù is sold exclusively at IGA in the freezer section of the bakery.
How many servings are there in a box?
One cake serves 4 to 6 people.
Does your tiramisù contain alcohol?
No.
Coffee
Where can I find your coffee?
Our coffee is available at IGA and Rachelle-Béry.
Where are your coffee beans sourced?
From Peru, Brasil and India.
Is the coffee compatible with any machine?
Yes, its a medium roast so the coffee is not oily and can be used in any coffee machine.
Is the bag re-sealable?
Yes! All our coffee bags have a seal at the top and can be easily closed. No need to cut off the top of the bag, simply pull off the tab at the back to reveal the seal and pinch to close.
Why don't you use paper bags to package your coffee?
Paper bags with flap are not airtight, therefore the shelf life of the coffee would be only 14 days, more or less. Without multiple layers, the coffee would oxidise quickly.
GELATO
Where can I find your gelatos?
Our gelatos are sold at IGA across Quebec.
Are your gelatos gluten-free?
Yes, 2 of our gelatos are gluten-free: Cherry & Dark Chocolate and Italian-style Vanilla.
Where are your gelatos made?
Our gelatos are made in Montreal by TOP Glaciers, a multiple award-winning company uniting four of Quebec’s best Master ice-cream makers.
What is the difference between gelato and ice cream?
Unlike ice cream, gelato does not contain egg yolks. It also typically contains more milk and less cream, though this varies by manufacturer. What’s more, gelato has less air incorporated during the manufacturing process than ice cream. It is therefore less less whipped and free of ice crystals. Less of all this means more creaminess and bold flavours!
Is the container recyclable?
Yes!
Do your gelatos have any certifications?
Yes! Our gelatos are all certified Kosher, 2 of our flavours are gluten-free (Italian-style vanilla and Cherry & dark chocolate), and all are certified Aliments Préparés au Québec (prepared in Quebec).
SPRITZ APERITIVO
Where can I find your Spritz Aperitivo?
Our Spritz Aperitivo is sold at Metro and IGA across Quebec.
What ingredients are in the Spritz Aperitivo?
Our Spritz Aperitivo is made with Stefano Catarratto white wine, to which is added sparkling water, an herbal infusion, and bitter orange zest.
How much sugar is in it?
There are 53 g of sugar per litre, so 40 g per bottle. That amounts to 13g of sugar per 250 ml portion.
Is your Spritz Aperitivo gluten free?
Yes!
Panettone
Where can I find your panettone?
Our panettone is sold at IGA, Metro and Provigo from November to January (or until stock is depleted) each year.
What goes into your panettone?
Our panettone is made according to the traditional recipe, meaning that all the ingredients, from the flour to the eggs, butter, candied fruit and yeast, are natural and do not contain any artificial preservatives or colours.