Strong roots

The Dainty DNA

The Dainty brand is a great Canadian story, a heritage we all share. We remain a local business, now amongst International food giants, selecting and supplying rice to Canadians family tables for generations since 1882.

Our Mission

The core of dainty

Is intertwined with our STORY

Dainty, the proudly Canadian rice company, has been sourcing rice from around the globe for over 140 years. Today our goal remains unchanged; we expertly choose a tasteful variety of rices to provide you with an easy to prepare and affordable meal component.

Our mission is to foster a simpler life beholding strong values, starting with cooking for loved ones and maintaining a balanced diet.

Our commitment to this end is evidenced through responsible sourcing, responsible milling and processing, and responsible action within our community. This is Dainty

Robert Reford, an Irish immigrant, adventurously sourced rice in the Orient, South East Asia, Europe, and South America.

“The first cargo of uncleaned rice ever imported into Canada arrived today (May 26, 1882) aboard the SS Africa, from Burma (now Myanmar), consisting of 1,700 tons. The milling capacity of the Mount Royal Rice mills is sufficient to supply three times the wants of the Dominion.” – The Montreal Gazette 26 May 1882.

Since 2015 the company is owned by the Marbour Group, a family owned and operated company.

To this day, our customers and our pride in serving you continue to propel Dainty to innovate and reach new heights in rice products.

Our commitment

Sustainability

At Dainty, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. We are dedicated to minimizing our environmental impact, optimizing energy efficiency, and reducing waste across our operations. By embracing eco-friendly packaging, and cutting-edge technologies, we are working towards a more sustainable future for all.

We actively engage with our suppliers, partners, and communities to promote sustainable practices throughout our supply chain.

Together, we can create a positive impact that reaches far beyond our immediate sphere.

Corporate responsibility

Learn more

Our certifications

GLUTEN FREE

Dainty operates a certified gluten-free manufacturing facility.

Learn more
Non-GMO

Dainty products are certified Non-GMO Project Verified through Food Chain ID.

Learn more
Kosher

Certified Kosher by the Kashruth Council of Canada.

Learn more
ORGANIC

Pro-Cert Organic Systems Ltd. certifies Dainty products as Organic.

Learn more
SQF

Dainty production facility is SQF Level 3 Certified.

Learn more
C-TPAT

The company is C-TPAT compliant and certified.

Some Dainty facts

Simple rice. Simple life.

Rice, with all its versatility and benefits, is simply a humble natural grain that is a component of a balanced diet.

We say it is emblematic of good values and we can all contribute to sound values starting with making daily choices, no matter big or small, to keep life simple.

85 employees and growing!
453 years of combined rice expertise with Dainty employees
170 Billion grains of rice are processed by Dainty each year at Canada’s only rice mill.

Dainty imports rice varieties from the US, Europe, South East Asia and Asia and processes all rice in Windsor, Ontario.

4 500 grains of rice in a 900g bag of Dainty rice
Canada’s rice brand For over 140 years

Discover our story

1800's

1900's

2000's

1882

The founding of the rice company

Dainty was founded as Mount Royal Rice Mills at 5120 St. Patrick street along the Lachine canal in Montreal in 1882. The founder, Robert Reford, had previously established a ship agency business, the Robert Reford Company Limited, in 1866. The rice milling facility was eventually moved to Windsor, Ontario in 1967, when the City of Montreal closed the head race on the canal and the water powered mill was no longer feasible.

1892

Canadian expansion

1892 the Company expands to Victoria on Vancouver Island and establishes the Victoria Roller Flour and Rice mill. The building exists today on the Victoria waterfront. The clipper ship Thermopylae was purchased and operated to carry rice from the Far East to the West Coast in the 1890s.

1947

The Dainty brand

The DAINTY Brand was created for the “post-war consumer”. Following WW2 there was an emergence of large food companies in North America offering consumer packaged goods, quickly creating competition and a necessity for branding and marketing on the part of manufacturers.

1947

Canadian. Unique. Authentic.

RICE IN A CAN by Dainty has been in production since 1947. 60+ years later it remains just cooked rice. Pure, simple, quick and easy; an ICON.

1967

Building of facility in windsor, ontario

A new facility was built in Windsor and remains home to the Dainty brand and Canada’s only rice mill to this day.

1970

Dainty cookbooks

Jehane Benoit, a well-loved pioneer of modern cookery from Montreal, was a Dainty ambassador for over 2 decades, writing several little cookbooks of Dainty rice recipes during the 1960s and ’70s.

2017

Dainty brand refresh

Loyal to its origins, Dainty’s revitalized brand solidly acknowledges the components of its history. Our contemporary new look and colour projects the humble, approachable and proud rice company that we are. Our values remain and we promise to continue to be innovative and seek out new heights in all that we do to provide top quality product to you.

2018

Dainty packaging

Dainty’s new compact packaging provides consumers with simple, easy steps to prepare a wide variety of rices and the Dainty products become Non-GMO Certified.

2020

The dainty rice cooker

A Dainty rice cooker, simplest way to perfect rice.

See the online DAINTY SHOP to order one, and for inspiration visit our RECIPES page.

2021

Recyclable is good, recycled is better!

In 2021 Dainty introduced packaging made from 25% post-consumer recycled material.

Dainty is committed to helping close the plastic recycling loop, and will continue to innovate on the packaging around all our products.

2022

140th birthday

Dainty Foods, Canada’s rice brand and singular rice miller, proudly celebrates 140 years.

2023

Debut; rice flour based baking mixes

Dainty introduces Gluten Free Baking mixes and a Gluten Free All Purpose Flour. Simple to assemble, with clean ingredients, they can be oven ready in minutes.

Careers

The dainty adventure awaits

A team thrives not on the talents of a few, but on the dedication of many. Each member’s passion and effort propel the group toward its goals.

Stay in the loop

Subscribe to our newsletter

Search by keywords