By: Christian Collington, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TheIFP.ca

In Halton Hills, a family tradition of Italian home cooking has transformed into one of the most talked-about food ventures: The Focaccia Ladies.

What began as a maternity-leave baking project has quickly grown into a beloved staple at the Georgetown Farmers’ Market, the Acton Outdoor Market and local events.

At the heart of the business is Rita Speranza, an Italian mother whose food has long been the centrepiece of family gatherings.

Juliana Speranza, her daughter, said her mother is “an amazing cook and throughout the years so many people have told her she could open up a restaurant.”

The timing never seemed right, until Julianna, home on maternity leave, made a suggestion.

“I wanted to do baking and I just told my mom, ‘just do focaccias,’” Juliana recalled.

She said at their early events, Rita’s focaccias were “flying off the shelves and my stuff’s just sitting there. So I was like ‘OK, maybe we should stick with the focaccias.’”

The pair first launched under the name Sunday Mornings Bakery in November last year, but as word spread, customers began referring to them simply as “the focaccia ladies.”

A fellow vendor eventually suggested making it official and the rebrand was born.

Markets, sold-out days and sleepless nights

Over the past few months, The Focaccia Ladies have focused almost exclusively on their signature sandwiches, which now draw devoted regulars week after week.

Getting into the Georgetown Farmers’ Market was itself a milestone.

“We actually weren’t expecting to get into the Georgetown market because we heard it’s so competitive,” Juliana explained.

But once shoppers saw — and tasted — their stacked focaccia sandwiches, crowds began to form.

Juliana recalled customers returning week after week and bringing friends along, with some referring to their offerings as “the sandwiches everyone’s talking about.”

Even at the slower-paced Acton Outdoor Market, they regularly sold out.

Behind the scenes, the success comes at the cost of long hours.

Juliana said Rita works a full-time job, then heads into the kitchen late into the night.

“We’re not getting any sleep, but the way the community has responded has made it worth it,” she said.

Food, family and Italian tradition

For Juliana, the venture is about more than sales, it’s about sharing something deeply cultural and personal.

As an Italian, she described food as an expression of love and heritage, passed down from her grandmother to her mother and now to the wider community.

“You just want people to have good food and to be happy and have full stomachs,” she said.

What’s next for The Focaccia Ladies?

Looking ahead, The Focaccia Ladies are actively searching for a storefront, ideally in Acton or Georgetown, though available spaces are limited.

In the meantime, they continue to appear at markets, experiment with new offerings — like the “Mamma Mia” meatball sub and the “Italian Stallion” cold cut sandwich — and develop fall focaccia flavours.

The Focaccia Ladies will be at the Georgetown Farmers’ Market this weekend as well as the Acton Leathertown Festival.

Preorders are being accepted online, with pickup available in both Acton and Georgetown.

Through it all, Juliana insists the spotlight belongs on her mother.

“It’s mainly all my mom,” she said. “Authentic Italian food made by a nonna — that’s our whole motto. This is her thing; I’m just helping her do it.”