Jakeman's 2010 Olympic Connection

 

 

Mary Jakeman of Jakeman's Maple Products in Beacvhille holds up a bottle of maple syrup identical to the bottles athletes are to receive at the Vancouver Olympic games, which open today. The syrup is part of a gift package being handed out to athletes by the Oakley sunglass company. (Elliot Ferguson/Sentinel-Review)

Athletes from all over the world could be pouring pale Oxford County maple syrup on their pancakes and waffles before pursuing their dreams at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Jakeman's Maple Products, owned and operated by Mary and Bob Jakeman and their family, has shipped 550 100-millilitre bottles of its maple syrup to the west coast to be distributed as gifts from Oakley Sunglasses to Olympic athletes.

Mary Jakeman said Oakley -- famous for its sunglasses and ski goggles -- found Jakeman's through an Internet search and ultimately chose the Sweaburg producers because of their 2004 title of best maple syrup in Canada that was awarded by the National Post.

"They wanted quality, good tasting syrup," Mary Jakeman said. The 100-millilitre bottles were chosen because they are of legal size for carry-on luggage. Jakeman said Oakley's Olympic program was being handled by former summer Olympian Durdam Rocherolle, who oversaw the shipment.

Bob Jakeman said, at first, the couple didn't know who the upscale eyewear producers were.

"Then everyone said 'They are the glasses to have," he said. Jakeman's also shipped 50 cases of maple-flavoured toffee and five cases of maple syrup hard candy to Whistler, B.C., to be distributed by Service Canada.

While Mary Jakeman said she isn't sure to whom the candy will be distributed, it was definitely being used for the Winter Olympics. The National Post award didn't factor into the Service Canada purchase, she said. "Service Canada choose our candy because of the taste," she said. "We're very lucky."

Visitors to the 2010 Winter Olympics will also be able to purchase the renowned maple syrup as a souvenir of their trip to Canada.

"Right now, there are over 40 shops in the Vancouver Airport that carry our product," Bob Jakeman said. "We've been in the airport (for) close to 15 years. When people see us in the airport, they remember us." Their products will also be sold in Whistler at Blackcomb Village and in the downtown core.

Bob Jakeman said their products are very visible on Canada's West Coast, largely due to the hard work of his wife, whom he describes as " a good relationship builder." "We have a presence on the West Coast -- more so than here in Ontario," he said.

Their products have also proven popular in Ireland, where they have recently shipped 1,800 cases of maple syrup. This year, the Jakemans are working to expand their line in the U.S. and are attending a show next week in Orlando, where they'll be meeting with representatives from duty-free shops.

Each year, the family installs about 1,000 taps in the bush surrounding their Sweaburg farm from Feb. 20 to March 1. They also buy sap from other Ontario farmers and, each year, produce thousands of litres of the precious syrup.

Their signature products include maple syrup and am ice wine blend featured in Chatelaine Magazine that sells for $23.95. "It's exclusive; it's our blend," Bob Jakeman said.

Their newest product is entitled Maple Ice Mints.

Jakeman's Maple Products is open year round from Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Saturdays and Sundays in March, their Pancake House is open from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.