Nova Scotia Cookie Co., a proudly woman-owned business, is taking the humble shortbread cookie to international heights, one lighthouse-shaped treat at a time.
Founded by entrepreneur Jenna Ross, the Nova Scotia Cookie Co. is as much about community and connection as it is about confections. “Steeped in a tradition of welcoming hospitality, Nova Scotia has been ‘putting the kettle on’ for generations,” says Ross. “In that spirit, the Nova Scotia Cookie Company was founded.”
The company’s signature cookie—crafted in the iconic shape of a lighthouse—is inspired by the beloved Peggy’s Cove landmark. But these cookies are more than just a sweet souvenir. They represent the values of Nova Scotia: resilience, warmth, and community.
“I knew I was meant to be an entrepreneur, and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Ross says.
Ross said that her parents weren’t entrepreneurs, so she had to teach herself the ropes. “Now, my daughters and their friends see it as a possibility too. You have to see it to believe it.”
While Ross’s vision fuels the brand, the production is a community affair. Nova Scotia Cookie Co. bakes its signature treats in partnership with The Flower Cart Group, a New Minas-based social enterprise. This collaboration provides meaningful employment and training to adults with intellectual disabilities and other complex barriers to employment.
These cookies do not just appear on their own. Ross says, “Our friends at The Flower Cart Group tackle the day-to-day packing of these uniquely Nova Scotian confections. We’re honoured to call them our partners and share in their vision.”
The Flower Cart Group has a long-standing commitment to inclusion and empowerment. Its mission aligns seamlessly with Ross’s goal of creating not just cookies, but opportunities. “The goal is to have as much social impact as possible,” she explains.
Nova Scotia Cookie Co.’s mission—and its irresistible shortbread—are beginning to attract attention far beyond provincial borders. Ross recently brought her lighthouse cookies to Los Angeles, where she shared them with nominees at the Golden Globe Awards during the DPA gifting event.
“My visit to LA helped me connect with people from home and that brought a partnership,” Ross recalls. “Taking the cookies to the Golden Globes was surreal. It was about sharing a piece of Nova Scotia with the world.”
From tourists looking for the perfect gift to homesick ex-pats craving a bite of home, Nova Scotia Cookie Co. has become a go-to brand. Its products are now featured in Halifax International Airport, select seasonal gift stores across the province, and Sobeys locations as part of the grocer’s Local Program.The company even featured local models in its Sobeys campaign, spotted on displays across Halifax.
“We pitched the idea, created the display units, and made it happen,” Ross says about the Sobeys project.
Ross is also using her platform to give back in other ways. The company recently launched the Smart Cookie Literary Society, an initiative aimed at putting books by local authors into the hands of Nova Scotians.
At the Clayton Park Sobeys, the cookie display has already sold out. One of the customers, Meig Crowe, said, “It’s not just about buying these cookies…It’s about investing in community, culture, and creativity.” Crowe emphasizes the importance of shopping local and Canadian, “especially in a time during the elbows up movement.”
This article appears in Jun 1-30, 2025.