A Plant-Based Brand with Deep Cultural Roots and Bold Purpose

At Arinka, we’re proud to partner with brands that are doing more than just feeding people—they’re shifting the culture, plate by plate. One of those brands is Kula Foods, founded by the visionary Asha Wheeldon, a woman on a mission to reconnect us to the roots of nourishment, culture, and community.

If you’ve ever drizzled Kula’s Scotch Bonnet BBQ Sauce over roasted vegetables, or added a kick of Pili Pili to your grain bowl, you’ve already tasted the difference. But the real magic of Kula Foods isn’t just in the flavour. It’s in the why.

Asha Wheeldon grew up in Kenya, where sharing food was more than a daily routine—it was a way of life. Her childhood was steeped in vibrant flavours, communal meals, and the warmth of African hospitality. When she moved to Toronto at age 11, she was introduced to a diverse world of cuisine: Caribbean, Indian, Middle Eastern, and West African.

Through these global flavours, she discovered a passion—not just for food itself, but for the connection and cultural storytelling it offers.

So when Asha later embraced a plant-based lifestyle, she noticed a glaring gap: an abundance of plant-based products on store shelves, but none that reflected her heritage or the traditional dishes she loved.

And just like that, Kula Foods was born.

Kula Foods launched in 2018 with a mission to connect people to the roots of their food through nourishing, accessible, and culturally relevant plant-based products. From sauces to meat alternatives, Kula’s products are crafted to tell a story and nourish both body and spirit.

Asha says it best:

“There is a growing need for authentic and meaningful experiences, especially in the food industry... Consumers are looking for products that allow them to explore and embrace different cultures.”

Kula delivers exactly that—through flavour, representation, and inclusivity.

“Kula” means to eat in Swahili, and it perfectly captures the soul of the brand. Eating is universal—but it’s also deeply personal. It’s an act of nourishment, ownership, and connection. Kula’s mission is to make this experience inclusive for everyone—particularly Black and immigrant communities who haven’t historically seen themselves reflected in the mainstream plant-based market.

Today, Kula offers a growing collection of plant-based sauces and proteins, all made with whole, clean ingredients and no added sugar, soy, or gluten. Their sauces include:

🔥 Pili Pili Hot Sauce – An East African-inspired chili sauce that packs real heat

🍅 Red Pepper BBQ Sauce – Sweet, smoky, and deeply flavourful

🌶️ Scotch Bonnet BBQ Sauce – Spicy, bold, and uniquely Caribbean

They’ve also developed a line of plant-based meats—including goat curry, ginger, and chicken alternatives—that are fully pre-marinated and ready to heat and eat.

Kula is Certified B Corp™, and every product is made with integrity, supporting local Canadian growers and a global community of conscious eaters.

Shop Kula Foods today at www.arinka.ca

Here at Arinka, we’re proud to stock Kula’s full product lineup—so whether you’re plant-based full-time or just dipping your toes into African and Caribbean flavours, we’ve got your taste buds covered.

And remember: when you eat with intention, you nourish more than just your body.