Overwaitea Food Group
With a focus on people and a goal of running Simply the Best stores, OFG proudly looks back on nearly a century of successful grocery retailing in the West.
Our History
Born out of a small, single store operation nearly a century ago, the Overwaitea Food Group (OFG) has grown to become Canada’s largest western-based food store chain.
The company’s solid reputation for service excellence and innovation can be traced back to the early days. In March 1915, the first OFG store opened on Columbia Street in New Westminster, BC. The competitive concept was simple: give customers more for their money.
A winning combination of local value, personalized service and inventive merchandising techniques delighted customers, with value-added extras like receiving 18 ounces of tea for the price of 16, a practice that earned the store its name, the "Over-Weight-Tea" store.
Nearly a century later, the company stays true to its roots by staying close to customers and community, leading the way in the West with innovation and local value – that’s the OFG tradition.
People Focused
With a focus on people and a goal of running Simply the Best stores, OFG proudly looks back on nearly a century of successful grocery retailing in the West.
The company's continued growth and success is driven by an industry-leading base of long-serving team members, all equally committed to OFG’s core values – Service, People, Innovation, Fun and Integrity. In 2010, over 1,750 OFG team members were recognized and celebrated more than 25,000 years of collective service all across the company – a record year.
This competitive strength is evident in each of OFG’s 124 stores, which operate in 80 distinct communities across British Columbia (BC) and Alberta. Each and every day, OFG team members work together to provide a welcoming atmosphere and great service to every customer that walks through the door. Every team member plays a key role in the success of the business.
A supportive and rewarding work environment, along with contemporary, fun and engaging ways to learn, are a big part of working at OFG. From First Day Information Sessions to Skills Training to leadership development programs like Retail Leadership Excellence, team members have the opportunity to access the tools, training and education needed to operate excellent stores.
Innovation is how OFG got its start and it remains at the heart of what the company does today. With a focus that remains as strong as ever, OFG offers customers more value for their money and the very best experience in every store through its proprietary brands.
Community Minded
OFG is passionate about taking the lead when it comes to running a responsible company. Throughout its history, the company has been guided by a simple, fundamental principle – doing the right thing. As the Number 1 supporter of local producers, OFG works closely with a network of more than 1,200 local suppliers, growers and ranchers to bring the very best of Western Canada to market.
Whether it’s sourcing the right products, helping kids get the health care they need closer to home, supporting local food banks, providing nutrition tours and healthy snacks to schools kids or supporting team members to reach their goals, OFG believes that real positive changes like these depend on the decisions team members make every day.