Our Team
Margaret Daskis - President/Founder/Certified Food Scientist
Obtaining her Bachelor of Science Degree in Food Science from the University of British Columbia in 1979, Margaret realized that to work in a Food company she would have to understand the language of the associated departments, so she attended BCIT to further her education in accounting, management, economics and marketing and sales. The traditional food processing industry was collapsing in the early 80s which although looking bleak actually provided Margaret with exceptional experiences working for a lot of diverse companies. January 1983 brought an opportunity to work at Nalley's Canada, starting as Quality Control in their cannery, then into their dressing plant, pickle plant and later as production supervisor in the snack plant. Through the next 10 years her role evolved from Quality Assurance Manager to Director of Technical Services (Quality Assurance and Research and Development was a mouthful!). The mid 90s saw the next major wave of changes to the food industry with many large companies ceasing their production operations in B.C. During her management role at Nalley's Canada she received a diploma in Total Quality Management from Queen's University and qualified many food processing facilities creating complementary products for Nalley's and their clients.
The creativity and resiliency of the B.C. entrepreneur and their focus on healthy living and environmental stewardship opened up an exciting avenue for unique and varied food products. The main thing missing was access to food science consultancy. Margaret was asked to provide expertise to a number of contacts who knew of her background and Fresh Ideas & Solutions Inc. was born in 1998 where she and Connie Wong began providing consulting support to the B.C. food industry.
Throughout her career, Margaret has been an active participant in the BC Food Technologists and its affiliates, Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology (CIFST) and Institute of Food (IFT). Her contributions have been acknowledged through the IFT Leaders Award, CIFST Award for Food Safety and Quality Award and participation on the executive committee hosting the 1984 and 1994 CIFST Conferences in Vancouver. Being a member of the inaugural class of the Internationally recognized Certified Food Scientist designation, Margaret confirms her accumulated education and expertise in the profession of food technology.
Obtaining her Bachelor of Science Degree in Food Science from the University of British Columbia in 1979, Margaret realized that to work in a Food company she would have to understand the language of the associated departments, so she attended BCIT to further her education in accounting, management, economics and marketing and sales. The traditional food processing industry was collapsing in the early 80s which although looking bleak actually provided Margaret with exceptional experiences working for a lot of diverse companies. January 1983 brought an opportunity to work at Nalley's Canada, starting as Quality Control in their cannery, then into their dressing plant, pickle plant and later as production supervisor in the snack plant. Through the next 10 years her role evolved from Quality Assurance Manager to Director of Technical Services (Quality Assurance and Research and Development was a mouthful!). The mid 90s saw the next major wave of changes to the food industry with many large companies ceasing their production operations in B.C. During her management role at Nalley's Canada she received a diploma in Total Quality Management from Queen's University and qualified many food processing facilities creating complementary products for Nalley's and their clients.
The creativity and resiliency of the B.C. entrepreneur and their focus on healthy living and environmental stewardship opened up an exciting avenue for unique and varied food products. The main thing missing was access to food science consultancy. Margaret was asked to provide expertise to a number of contacts who knew of her background and Fresh Ideas & Solutions Inc. was born in 1998 where she and Connie Wong began providing consulting support to the B.C. food industry.
Throughout her career, Margaret has been an active participant in the BC Food Technologists and its affiliates, Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology (CIFST) and Institute of Food (IFT). Her contributions have been acknowledged through the IFT Leaders Award, CIFST Award for Food Safety and Quality Award and participation on the executive committee hosting the 1984 and 1994 CIFST Conferences in Vancouver. Being a member of the inaugural class of the Internationally recognized Certified Food Scientist designation, Margaret confirms her accumulated education and expertise in the profession of food technology.
Connie Wong - Senior Food Technologist
After obtaining a Bachelor of Science Degree in Food Science from the University of British Columbia in 1991, Connie began her working career at Nalleys Canada Ltd. as a quality assurance technologist, under the direction of Margaret Daskis. She then moved into the role of R&D technologist at Nalleys, developing various products, including mayonnaise, dressings, dips, table syrups, and pickles for the retail and foodservice industries. In 1995, she pursued a research scientist opportunity at Yves Veggie Cuisine Ltd., manufacturers of vegetarian meat analogues including deli meats, burger patties, wieners, and ground beef. In 1998, the opportunity to work with Margaret as food industry consultants came about and Connie has been creating and helping our clients at Fresh Ideas & Solutions Inc. ever since. Connie specializes in Nutrition Facts Panels, Regulatory labeling, and formula development. She also oversees the Fresh Ideas laboratory and lab technicians.
After obtaining a Bachelor of Science Degree in Food Science from the University of British Columbia in 1991, Connie began her working career at Nalleys Canada Ltd. as a quality assurance technologist, under the direction of Margaret Daskis. She then moved into the role of R&D technologist at Nalleys, developing various products, including mayonnaise, dressings, dips, table syrups, and pickles for the retail and foodservice industries. In 1995, she pursued a research scientist opportunity at Yves Veggie Cuisine Ltd., manufacturers of vegetarian meat analogues including deli meats, burger patties, wieners, and ground beef. In 1998, the opportunity to work with Margaret as food industry consultants came about and Connie has been creating and helping our clients at Fresh Ideas & Solutions Inc. ever since. Connie specializes in Nutrition Facts Panels, Regulatory labeling, and formula development. She also oversees the Fresh Ideas laboratory and lab technicians.
Samantha Daskis - General Manager/Sales
Samantha has been involved with Fresh Ideas & Solutions in many capacities over the years and has taken over the sales role. Since obtaining her BA in Anthropology from the University of Victoria in 2008, Samantha has moved towards positions in customer service, finally deciding that Rick's Real Foods, the retail line for FIS, is where she can effectively utilize her talents. Since re-joining Fresh Ideas in 2012, Samantha has expanded the Rick's Real Foods/Rick's Rub product line throughout BC and AB, continues to develop new markets, and creates a positive reputation at the retail level for Fresh Ideas and Rick's Real Foods. With her expertise in the grocery and retail fields, she identifies current and future trends to assist in product development for our clients and our own retail brands.
Currently, she is taking on a larger role as General Manager and continues to learn more about the industry, from ingredient sourcing to packaging to various types of manufacturing equipment. She still has more to learn and will always be pursuing the most current innovations.
Samantha has been involved with Fresh Ideas & Solutions in many capacities over the years and has taken over the sales role. Since obtaining her BA in Anthropology from the University of Victoria in 2008, Samantha has moved towards positions in customer service, finally deciding that Rick's Real Foods, the retail line for FIS, is where she can effectively utilize her talents. Since re-joining Fresh Ideas in 2012, Samantha has expanded the Rick's Real Foods/Rick's Rub product line throughout BC and AB, continues to develop new markets, and creates a positive reputation at the retail level for Fresh Ideas and Rick's Real Foods. With her expertise in the grocery and retail fields, she identifies current and future trends to assist in product development for our clients and our own retail brands.
Currently, she is taking on a larger role as General Manager and continues to learn more about the industry, from ingredient sourcing to packaging to various types of manufacturing equipment. She still has more to learn and will always be pursuing the most current innovations.
Eugene McGillivray - Production Supervisor/Purchasing
Brandon McGillivray - Production Supervisor/Warehouse
Anita Llewellyn - Administrative Coordinator