WELL HEY THERE,
I'm Heather
As long as I can remember I have been intrigued by business...
Whether it was selling rocks and lemonade in my neighborhood, babysitting and cleaning, homemade suckers at school, teaching piano, wedding photography or selling home decor, I have always had something on the go. I love creating things that make others smile.
I love to create things in the kitchen and garden, gather in my loved ones and friends for parties, and host humongous events. I will light up anytime the conversation turns to chickens, milking cows and the cool stuff they make.
I am usually
dreaming about
travelling to someplace warmer than home - and of course capturing it on camera. I've enjoyed being a professional photographer for over 20 years, a Mom for 21 and a wife for 22. But above all, I think I enjoy teaching the things I learn and love, to others the most.
Hey! So Glad You're Here!
Aetna Acres began as a division of our homestead in Alberta, Canada that grew into so much more. We are Layne and Heather Jaques. Layne is from Utah, and Heather is from Cardston, Alberta. We were both raised in small towns - learning the art of gardening and preserving it in the fall with a focus on self- reliance. We are raising five kids of our own and enjoy creating businesses and volunteering in the community.
During the pandemic when local produce sources and supply chains dried up overnight, we decided to start a business to source fresh produce for our family and our community. We travelled to British Columbia to meet with orchard owners, built relationships and started a new venture. Word travelled fast and in less than a year we expanded to multiple locations all over Southern Alberta. Today we are currently servicing 14 communities South of Calgary.
We pride ourselves in sourcing and supplying high quality, great tasting and affordable produce that beats the grocery store. Canadian products are important to us, but we do import tropical items during the off-season. Community is really important to us and one of the ways we try to give back is through offering fundraising. On another note, Heather has also been a distributor of freeze dried food products from Thrive Life for over 10 years. I think it's suffice to say we love food! Homesteading and the journey of being self-reliant is also something we are passionate about. We love learning new things and sharing them with others. We hope that you find some great resources here that can give you a boost on your journey!
What We Do
Wholesale Fresh Produce and Food Products Distribution
We source all things delicious and healthy (chocolate is healthy, right?)
for our distributors to bring to you! We work directly with orchards and suppliers, always aiming for the highest quality with the best pricing available.
Fundraisers
Because we work directly with the Orchards where our produce is grown and ordered in bulk, we have the ability to offer fundraisers to organizations. We have had great success in providing high producing fundraisers for schools, 4H, sports teams, etc. And because fruit is something everyone enjoys, it's a great alternative to traditional fundraisers!
Education
If I had to pick one thing I was really passionate about, it would be teaching. I absolutely love sharing good things with others. As I create and discover the little things that make me smile, I hope to share them here, for you too. Whether it be photography, recipes, herbal remedies, homesteading ideas or what have you, I hope you enjoy the content, classes and shares.