By Mike Cohen
Freddie’s Premium Jerky is a proudly family run Montreal brand that’s redefining what beef jerky can be. Freddies is a Montreal made Jerky shaking up the snack and health food aisles.
I sat down with Founder Zack Steinlauf, who grew up in Hampstead and is an active member of Tifereth Beth David Jerusalem Congregation in Côte Saint-Luc.
It was actually Zack’s younger brother Matthew who came up with the idea. “He had travelled to Los Angeles and came across kosher beef jerky,” Zack recalls. ‘One day during the pandemic he decided to explore the concept on his own. He bought a dehydrator, went on YouTube and experimented. Our dad became his taster. He liked it and believed we could sell it. He was right.”
Matthew proceeded to become a lawyer, leaving Zack in charge.. He named the brand Freddie’s after his grandfather. “He was a man who loved food” he said.
I did a tasting and yes I was impressed. This is being promoted as a a “better-for-you” beef jerky: 100 percent Canadian beef, clean ingredients, gluten free, low in sodium, and Kosher certified. “ We have one perfected flavor so far with more to come,” Zack explained. “ You can enjoy Freddie’s in three size formats, and zero compromises on taste. Our product is simple: just meat and spices that taste delicious. Our mission is simple: to shake up the jerky market with something that tastes great and is good for you. When you’re sitting in traffic bumper to bumper you’ve got no fear since a bag of Freddie’s is near.”
Freddie’s is currently sold in 45 retailers across Quebec, including major banners like IGA and Provigo, plus a growing list of incredible independent grocers, specialty shops, and gyms around the city, and they are just getting started.
Log on to: www.freddiespj.ca
Watch my interview with Zack on Instagram
The Jewish Standard Magazine 