Jack’s Roots

Jack Rabba

Founder, Rabba Fine Foods
Jack Rabba immigrated to Canada in 1966 with only the promise of a clerical job at a hotel, and the clothes on his back. After marrying his wife Ingrid at Old City Hall while they were both on their lunch break, he soon took a position as a convenience store manager. By working long hours and saving every penny, Jack gathered enough money to put a down-payment on a small convenience store of his own in the heart of Toronto. He helped his parents and school-aged siblings to immigrate a few years later and managed to carry the weight of his entire immigrant family on his shoulders, while building a successful neighbourhood business.
Start of Rabba
Soon enough, he realized that customers were often looking for more variety than a convenience store could provide so he began to expand the store. Customers liked the new selection and as a result, one store became multiple stores. In 1985, Jack renamed the chain and launched Rabba Fine Foods. Today, there are 36 stores across the GTA open to serve customers 24/7. Jack has created thousands of jobs in Ontario and helped countless immigrants find success.
 
Under Jack’s leadership, the company has also been a proud contributor to the communities it serves. Rabba has donated regularly to Trillium Health Partners for decades, most recently supporting Trillium’s ICUs. Rabba also enjoys a longstanding relationship with The Mississauga Food Bank. Annually, Rabba provides hundreds of thousands of dollars of food and financial donations to help support the goal of ending food insecurity.
 
For the past three years, the organization has also rallied behind Covenant House and Good Shepherd Ministries, providing the food and entertainment for a Super Bowl party. This allows Toronto’s homeless, trafficked or at-risk youth a chance to be kids for one more day.
Giving Back

Through its growing Rabba Roots Community Giving program, the organization supports dozens of local schools and other community groups throughout the year. Over the years, Jack has supported new Canadians – persons arriving to Canada to seek a better life. The company has employed many refugees, helping them adapt to their new countries. In 2017, the company sponsored a community concert and partnership with Emmanuel Jal, the child soldier who is now a community leader and globally renowned speaker, to mark World Refugee Day.

Jack takes pride in the fact that they are a family business that puts people first. Under Jack’s leadership, Rabba Fine Foods sponsors and contributes to many community events.

As an immigrant himself, Jack Rabba has a deep appreciation for refugees and immigrants and their strong potential for contributing to our Canadian communities. Jack’s strong passion and belief in immigrants led Rabba Fine Foods to partner with former child soldier Emmanuel Jal to present a fundraising concert called “We Want Peace” on June 20, 2017, inspired by World Refugee Day. The goal was to raise awareness on the fundamental principles of justice, equality, and freedom for all, through the power of music. Also, the proceeds from the event were directed to partner charities which support those affected by war and conflict such as Gua Africa, Love Peace Harmony Foundation and Matthew House Toronto.

Moving Forward

With Jack’s passion for giving back to the community, Rabba Fine Foods partnered through its Rabba Roots initiative with Trillium Health Partners to sponsor its 1st Annual Boots & Toques 5KM Walk for Heart. The event raised $15,000 in support of Cardiac Care at Trillium Health Partners (THP) bringing its total to $113,000 in just 5 years. Over 120 participants came out wearing flashing arm bands and LED red toques to walk the Queensway Trail at night making it a spectacular sight to see in the community.

Jack Rabba is immensely proud of his Middle Eastern roots. Under his leadership, Rabba Fine Foods has sponsored the St. Mary’s Middle Eastern Festival since 2018. The event celebrates and raises awareness about the Middle Eastern heritage through food, entertainment, workshop programs with live bands, traditional dances, and artistic performances.

Since 2017, Rabba Fine Foods has been sponsoring the annual Tim Hortons Southside Shuffle Blues & BBQ Festival. The event is a three-day outdoor music festival held in Port Credit. This is a great celebration of local & First Nation community artists and entertainers.

Rabba Fine Foods staff and family participate annually as Team Rabba in the 5km Gutsy Walk. As part of the pledge for that initiative, the company has donated over $10,000 towards the “Make it stop. For life.” campaign in support of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Rabba Award

For over 50 years, Jack Rabba has been serving his community – from humble beginnings to a retail network of 36 urban markets.

Jack has accomplished what many would have thought impossible for someone born into abject poverty. Starting out in food service at the age of 13, Jack always felt a great sense of duty to provide for his family. Intending to do just that, Jack immigrated to Toronto in 1966 despite having nothing to his name except the promise of a job and his Canadian dreams. Saving every penny while learning the retail grocery business allowed him to purchase a small food store in downtown Toronto in the 1970s.

In response to consumer demand, he rapidly expanded the store adding greater selection and fresh food departments. One location became several urban markets and in 1986 he renamed the company Rabba Fine Foods. Continuous growth fueled by an entrepreneurial spirit has allowed Jack to create thousands of jobs and helped countless families establish roots in Canada.

Jack has also built numerous successful businesses from the ground up including wholesale, supply chain and real estate companies. Despite his many achievements, Jack has never forgotten where he came from and is committed to supporting those in need through the Rabba Roots community program and numerous charitable initiatives to combat food insecurity. At his core, Jack is a man who worked quietly his entire life whose primary goal was to provide stability and improve the lives of his workers and family.

In 2021, Jack Rabba was honoured with the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award as well as the Canadian Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year Award.