Carl M. Dare

Carl Dare’s parents died when he was an infant and he was raised by his grandparents. In 1941, following the death of his grandfather, 24-year-old Dare was entrusted with the family’s struggling biscuit and candy business, then known as The C.H. Doerr Co. Sadly, fire destroyed the plant in 1943.

With vision, leadership and determination, Dare overcame these obstacles and what is now known as Dare Foods became the second largest cookie and cracker company in Canada. Company products are found in every province of Canada, every state in the United States and some 25 other countries. About 500 people are employed in Waterloo Region and an additional 800 elsewhere in Canada and the United States.

Dare was an active member of many community organizations. He served on the board of Waterloo College, now Wilfrid Laurier University, and he was a founding board member of the University of Waterloo. In 2007 he was granted an Honourary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Waterloo. He also served as President of the Kitchener YMCA and the Chicopee Ski Club.

Dare is an outstanding philanthropist. He has made generous contributions to many organizations and worthy causes including the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, the Grand River Conservation Authority, the K-W Community Foundation and the Grand River Hospital.

His donation of the extensive corporate records of Dare Foods to the University of Waterloo Archives speaks to his interest in preserving the history of Waterloo Region.