Cooks Who Feed

Seema Sanghavi, of Welland, Ontario, sought $75,000 for 10% of Cooks Who Feed, a for-profit social enterprise that ethically produces kitchen linens, primarily aprons priced from $69 to $72, handmade in India by marginalized women using sustainable fabrics, with each apron labeled to represent a donation of about $18 to provide 100 meals through partners including Second Harvest, Rescuing Leftover Cuisine, and No Kid Hungry. Retail products carry margins of 55% to 70%, while wholesale and custom business products carry margins of 35% to 55%, and product costs run about $29 per apron including the giveback. The company has generated $1.5 million in lifetime sales over four years, with $360,000 in 2022, $600,000 the following year, a drop to $250,000 last year due to slower corporate decision-making and smaller budgets, and a projection to return to about $500,000 this year.

Manjit Minhas went out saying the numbers did not support the scale needed for his investment. Michele Romanow went out citing concern over the declining sales trend. Wes Hall offered $75,000 for 20%, citing alignment with the company's mission and hospitality expertise from his hotel business. Arlene Dickinson tried to negotiate a reduced equity split to join Wes Hall's offer but did not make an independent offer. Seema Sanghavi accepted Wes Hall's offer of $75,000 for 20%.

Cooks Who Feed is still operating and sells through its website.