A Toronto-based pizzeria has made headlines by eliminating all U.S. ingredients from its menu until American voters make “more responsible electoral decisions.” Graham Palmateer, the owner of Gram’s Pizza, took the step of replacing every U.S. product in his restaurant with Canadian or international alternatives in response to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats of imposing 25% tariffs on Canadian goods and his rhetoric about turning Canada into the 51st state.
Palmateer shared his decision with As It Happens, explaining that the switch was a direct protest against Trump’s actions. “I’ll be avoiding American products for the foreseeable future,” Palmateer stated. “Everybody’s been really, really supportive of the switch, and it’s been very easy, actually.”
The move has sparked interest, with food economist Mike von Massow noting that while it’s an impactful message, it could be challenging for many other restaurants, particularly in Canada, where U.S. imports—especially fresh produce—are critical during the winter months. “Canada is reliant on U.S. trade for certain foods,” said von Massow, a professor at the University of Guelph.
Despite the challenges of sourcing ingredients year-round, Palmateer’s small operation has managed to keep costs down, avoiding price hikes for his customers. The pizzeria has transitioned from using California tomatoes to exclusively Italian ones and has replaced Coca-Cola products with Canadian sodas from Pop Shoppe and Sap Sucker. His shift also involved ditching Costco in favor of Canadian supplier Mia Food Service, though it has raised some ingredient costs, including mushrooms.
The restaurant’s impact on its bottom line has been minimal so far, but Palmateer remains cautiously optimistic about the future. “I’m not an economist, so we’ll see what happens,” he said.
While the movement to buy Canadian products has gained traction in Canada, von Massow cautioned that it can be complex, as many goods are processed in both countries. Despite this, he encourages Canadians to keep looking for local alternatives, even if it means adjusting their diet.
Palmateer hopes his actions will inspire others to consider where their food comes from. “If me getting press because of this switch encourages others to look locally for great products, then that’s a step in the right direction,” he said.
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