About Greaves Jams & Marmalades
Since 1927, Greaves Jams & Marmalades has been all about crafting delicious Jams, Jellies, Marmalades, and Condiments using the finest fruits, vegetables, sugar, and spices. We cherish our tried-and-true recipes, which have been passed down through generations for nearly 100 years. Each batch is lovingly hand-stirred in open stainless-steel kettles which produce over 40 mouthwatering varieties of pure, all-natural preserves. You’ll find no artificial ingredients—just simple, wholesome goodness!
History of Greaves
It all began with Mrs. Mabel Greaves in a cozy little brick house in Niagara-on-the-Lake. With a cherished family recipe handed down from her mother-in-law, she turned a crate of affordable oranges into a scrumptious marmalade. Encouraged by her husband, William, they purchased the location at 55 Queen Street in Niagara-on-the-Lake and took to producing and selling her marmaldes in small jars, focusing on cash sales to keep their business growing.
As time went on, the Greaves family expanded their offerings to include a wide variety of Jams, Jellies, Marmalades, and Condiments. Making it a true family affair, their five children (William Jr., Gordon, Winston, Roy, and Frederick) rolled up their sleeves to join in the fun. By the 1950s, the operation had blossomed, with William Greaves Jr. working alongside his father, William Greaves Sr.. After his father passed in 1981, William Jr.’s management kept the family involved, with daughter Mary Ann and nephews David and Fred helping to keep the family business thriving.
Where are we now?
In 1989, when the Greaves family found themselves nearing retirement with no direct descendants to continue their beloved legacy, two local families stepped in to ensure Greaves Jams & Marmalades would keep flourishing. Each day we bring the same commitment to quality and tradition that has defined the “Greaves” name since the beginning. Drawing inspiration from the company’s rich heritage, the current owners who have directly overseen operations for more than 35 years, proudly introduced new recipes such as our delicious Triple Berry Spread, Rhubarb & Raspberry Jam, Rhubarb Spread and our Wine & Pepper Jellies collection (a testament to the amazing wine growing region of Niagara). Today, keeping the family spirit alive, we proudly employ local family members and friends from the Niagara Region to help run the store and produce our delicious products. This sense of community creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere, ensuring that every jar reflects the quality and authenticity we hold dear.
Today, our 10,000 sqft factory in Niagara-on-the-Lake boasts year-round production and distribution across Canada. Our online store offers worldwide shipping, making it easier for everyone to enjoy Greaves at home—no matter where you are. Greaves Jams & Marmalades has continued to produce high quality, Canadian-made products, using only fruit and sugar in many of those same time-honoured recipes. David Greaves, born 1943 (last living former owner), who had been at the helm for many years, visits us regularly and expresses great pride in our old-fashioned approach—creating products without the preservatives or chemicals found in mass-produced alternatives—so you can enjoy the true essence of our family tradition in every jar!
Shop Online
Bring Niagara-on-the-Lake home! Shop our wide selection of products.
Our Historic Shop
Greaves Jams, founded in 1927, nearly 100 years later, continues to sell products in its original flagship store in the heart of the historic Old Town of Niagara-on-the-lake, Ontario, Canada. For six decades, in this very location, we hand-stirred every batch of jams, jellies and marmalades in small kettles, filling the air across the little town with the aroma of freshly made preserves.
Though we moved production to a larger facility in 1989 to meet growing demand, our beloved retail shop remains in its original location, where it all began. Today, visitors can still step into this charming store, brimming with our time-honored products, thoughtfully curated gift boxes, and a delightful selection of gourmet Canadian treats, just as it has been since 1927. Come visit us today, and see what all the fuss is about.
The charming town of Niagara-on-the-Lake holds a rich history, including its unfortunate burning during the War of 1812 when much of the area was destroyed. However, resilience and community spirit brought the town back to life, and the building which houses our flagship store, circa 1845, stands as a testament to that enduring spirit. You can enjoy a relaxed stay right above our Greaves store at the Greaves Sweet Escape. A perfect location to be central to all Niagara-on-the-Lake has to offer in this beautiful boutique getaway in our historic town.
Take a Vacation
Get 10% off your stay at the Greaves Sweet Escape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about ordering online?
Is there an order minimum?
Yes, in order to complete your order and have it shipped, your cart must reach a minimum of $30 before shipping and tax are calculated. We set this minimum order value to ensure that shipping is more cost-effective for you.
Where do you ship Greaves Jams?
We ship worldwide! Simply browse our website, add items to your cart, and enter your shipping information to see the shipping costs before completing your order. If shipping costs are not populating, please contact us for assistance at 1-800-515-9939, Monday to Friday, between the hours of 9 AM and 4 PM EST.
Where can I find Greaves near me?
In Canada, many grocery, gourmet and retail stores carry our Greaves products. Visit Find Greaves in Stores Near You to enter your Canadian city and province to find locations near you. Although we don’t have retailers outside of Canada, we encourage you to order online, and we’ll ship Greaves directly to your door with our worldwide shipping options.
Can you provide more information on shipping?
We process orders within 1-3 business days after your order has been placed. Delivery time frames vary based on your destination, customs clearance (if necessary), and the courier selected at checkout. You will receive a tracking number and shipping email updates directly from our courier after pick-up.
Shipping costs are calculated at checkout after a minimum order value of $30, with various courier options available to choose from (Canada Post, Canpar or UPS). Free shipping is offered on our Seasonal Spreads Subscription Box for orders delivered to Ontario and Quebec, with flat rate shipping of $8.00 to the rest of Canada and the continental USA (some exceptions apply).
For international shipments outside of Canada and USA, customers are responsible for any customs fees, duties, and taxes. Please ensure your shipping information is correct, as we are not responsible for orders delivered to incorrect addresses.
Where can I learn more information about your Subscription Box?
Please visit our Seasonal Spreads Subscription Box page for FAQs, quarterly delivery timelines, and more information specific to our box club. We are happy to answer any further questions via email or phone.
What is your policy for returns and damaged shipments?
Sorry, we cannot accept returns of food products due to health and safety guidelines. If you experience any issues with your delivery, such as lost or damaged orders, please contact us immediately, and we will work with you to resolve the issues at 1-800-515-9939 or via email to greaves@greavesjams.com.
What are your terms and conditions and privacy policy?
Questions about our products?
What is the difference between jam, jelly, and marmalade?
Jelly is made using only the juice of the fruit (which we press ourselves from fresh and frozen fruits), resulting in a smooth, clear, translucent and firm texture without any pieces. Jams, on the other hand, are made with the whole fruit, giving them a chunkier consistency containing all of the pulp, skins and small seeds of berries. Marmalades always contain citrus fruits and include all of the shredded peel, pulp and juice, providing a distinct flavour and texture that is both sweet, tart and slightly bitter.
Why are Rhubarb and Triple Berry called "spreads" instead of jams?
Jams are typically named after the fruit they contain, but since rhubarb is not a fruit, it doesn’t qualify as a jam. The same goes for Triple Berry, as it refers to a combination of berries rather than a single fruit. While we could technically call it "Gooseberry, Strawberry and Blueberry Jam," we find that "Triple Berry Spread" sounds more appealing and is easier to say. Additionally, rhubarb is a favourite in our products, adding a delicious tartness that enhances the overall flavour profile.
Where can I find the "Best Before" date of my jam?
You will find our product's "Best Before” date printed on the side of the lid of each jar. For example, BB2027JA25 means the product is best before January 25, 2027.
Are there any allergens in your facility and products?
While our facility is not completely allergen-free, we take precautions to minimize the risk. We do not produce flavours containing allergens on the same day, and we perform daily sanitization to maintain a clean environment.
We want to inform you that some of our products do contain allergens. For example, our Apricot Almond Jam contains tree nuts, and our Peach Chutney and Relish contain mustard. Additionally, our Relish contains wheat (flour). If you have specific allergies, please review our ingredient list carefully or reach out to us for more information.
Does Greaves use pectin in their products?
Most of our recipes follow a traditional method from 1927, using the naturally occurring pectin found in fruits for gelling. However, to enhance the texture and consistency of some of our products, which have very little or no natural pectin in the fruit, we have added a little pectin to create a deliciously consistent product. For example, our newest line of wine and pepper jellies need pectin in order for them to set properly, try some today!
Where do you source your fruit from?
Much of our fruit and vegetables come fresh to us from local Niagara and Ontario farms, some of which were planted specifically for Greaves decades ago. All of our berries come to us fresh picked and flash frozen for optimum quality and taste from Canada, USA, Europe and the Americas. Our citrus fruits are sourced from Florida, and produced once a year when the fresh crop is available. All of our products are made locally in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada, from whole fruit and processed by our dedicated cooks onsite at our facility. We never buy purees or juices, we only use the best!
What steps do you take to be environmentally friendly?
At Greaves, we proudly uphold our commitment to sustainability. Since 1927, our products have been fully recyclable, reflecting our dedication to eco-friendly practices. We actively prioritize reusing packaging whenever possible and work diligently to minimize waste throughout our production process, ensuring that we generate very little product waste.
What kind of sugar do you use?
We only use pure cane sugar, which is naturally white and never bleached. We never use any artificial sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup or other invert liquid sugars.
How long will my jam last?
Unopened jam will be at its best if consumed by the best before date (shown on the lid), for optimum quality and flavour. Once opened, your jam should last weeks refrigerated.
How should I store my jam, jelly, marmalade or condiments?
Store all of our unopened products in your food pantry; a cool, dark place. Once opened, refrigerating our products keeps the flavours and colours at their peak. All of our condiments must be refrigerated upon opening.
Are Greaves Wine Jellies made with local Niagara Wine?
Only local VQA Niagara Wines, from Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario are used in the making of our delicious wine jellies. We use Cabernet Red Wine, Riesling White Wine, Chardonnay White Wine and Vidal Ice Wine in our four amazing flavours, excellent as a condiment for meat, cheeses and charcuteries, try some today!
Why is Greaves Jams the best jam in Canada?
Greaves remains true to the simple, clean recipes we started with in 1927, cooking small batches from whole fruit, without the use of additives or preservatives. Our motto; Canadian Quality, Purity, Naturally, says it all!
Looking to visit us in Niagara-on-the-Lake?
Our Retail Store is open 7 days a week, year-round except Christmas Day.
Hours of Operation
Summer 10am – 8pm | Winter 10am – 5pm
Greaves Location
55 Queen Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0 Canada
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Sustainability
Here at Greaves Jams & Marmalades, we strive to be socially responsible and balance the needs of our consumers, our environment and our company’s economic growth. Our products’ packaging have always been recyclable and reusable, and always will be! Our commitment to upholding a sustainable environment continues to be a top priority for our company. From sourcing quality ingredients to minimizing energy consumption during production, we prioritize practices that prioritize the planet. By choosing Greaves, you’re not just savouring exquisite flavours; you’re contributing to a sustainable future. Join us in spreading the sweetness responsibly, one recyclable jar at a time!