Earth Group: Built in Edmonton, supporting the world | Stories

What started as a conversation in the back of a Garneau ski shop has blossomed into a global enterprise that feeds millions of children around the world.

Earth Group, headquartered in Edmonton, sells bottled water and coffee—with proceeds used to fund school meal programs in partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme.

“Edmonton was sort of an incubator for us, so to speak,” says Kori Chilibeck, one of the founders of Earth Group. “It was one of those cities that helped us grow, both through the people and the nature of Edmonton’s entrepreneurial spirit.”

Chilibeck and his friend and co-founder, Matt Moreau, came up with the idea for Earth Group in 2005 while working at The Skier’s Sportshop. Chillibeck’s experiences travelling in Nepal, and seeing the need to help vulnerable people, influenced the desire to form a company that can sell a quality product, operate responsibly, and help people who need it most.

Built in Edmonton, meant for the world

The early operations were hands-on, scrappy and reliant on the community’s support. Chilibeck stored cases of water in his garage and used a van donated by his grandfather as a delivery vehicle. In those first breakthrough moments, the founders packed orders by hand and did same-day deliveries even if it was just a case or two.

Those early ‘yeses’ mattered. One customer turned into many. Small Edmonton businesses helped the company gain traction and prove there was room in the market for a local brand with a social purpose.

Today, Earth Group has become a key player in the broader Canadian economy. The company sources its water from the Moose Mountains in Saskatchewan and bottles it on the Prairies. When it comes to coffee, Earth Group sources fair-trade beans from around the world while ensuring every batch is roasted in Canada.

A casually dressed man sits on an office table smiling at the camera.

Why Edmonton

For Earth Group, Edmonton offered more than a place to launch. It offered the conditions to build momentum.

The founders point to the city’s affordability and strong sense of community as key business advantages, especially in the company’s early years. Chilibeck and Moreau describe the city as a place where people are willing to help, whether that means becoming a customer, making an introduction or offering advice at the right time.

That support extended beyond early sales. As the company grew, Chilibeck and Moreau connected with local mentors, business leaders and professors who offered guidance, encouragement and practical support. Those relationships helped them navigate the stages of growth and continue building in Edmonton.

“Through the years, we’ve been able to make some connections through the business community and find different mentors who are always eager to have a coffee with us or bring us by their office to sit down and strategize,” Chilibeck says.

From local startup to global reach

Growth happened, slowly but surely, over time but there were setbacks over the years.

The company weathered major crises such as the 2008 financial crisis and the loss of major hospitality and event business during the pandemic. Through all of it, the company persevered to reach its current heights.

Today, Earth Group products are sold through major retail, hospitality and entertainment channels. The company has built relationships with global brands including Whole Foods, Fairmont and IKEA. The company has also built a presence in Canada’s film and television industry, supplying its products to Netflix, Paramount+ and HBO.

That growth has translated into greater social impact. Earth Group says it wants to continue increasing the number of meals it funds in the years ahead, with a goal of providing more than five million meals annually by 2030, up from the two million school meals it supports now.

A white man in a yellow hoodie smiles at the camera.

Purpose beyond profit

Even with a global focus, Earth Group has continued to support its home city.

Over the years, the company says it has funded approximately 200,000 meals locally through the Edmonton Food Bank and donated water to shelters, festivals, fundraisers and community events.

Earth Group’s head office remains in Edmonton, most of its Canadian team is based here and the company continues to support its homebase by working with local firms and advisors.

Sustainability is also part of the company’s long-term approach. In recent years, Earth Group shifted from plastic bottles to aluminum packaging, which can be more easily reused and recycled. The change reflects Earth Group’s broader goal of reducing environmental impact while continuing to grow.

“Travelling the world, we saw plastic in the ocean, and it weighed on us that we were producing plastic,” Chilibeck says.

What Earth Group’s story says about Edmonton

Earth Group’s story reflects what is possible in our city.

It’s a company that started with limited resources, built traction through local relationships and grew into an international brand while remaining in Edmonton. With the help of the Edmonton community, two locals with dreams of helping the world can reach a global audience.

For Earth Group, Edmonton is more than a starting point. It’s a launchpad.