It’s a scene that gets repeated on many a flight out of Winnipeg. Picture this: A traveller sets down a couple of hefty bags and then tries to gently place a 30-inch log-style Jeanne Cake into the overhead bin.

Then in go those hefty bags, and with a little squeeze, the aroma of Winnipeg rye bread gets released into the cabin. There is nearly a mutiny.

Gifts of Manitoba food are always a good idea, whether you’re delivering them to ex-Manitoban now living far, far away (say, in Saskatchewan) or bringing home a few of your new-found favourites after a Prairie visit.

Here’s a checklist to get you started when you shop in the 'Peg:

Mordens’ of Winnipeg's Russian Mints

In true Willy Wonka style, the city’s most famous candy-making family pumps out a ton of its irresistibly melty morsels—The Russian Mint—every few days.

Boxes are stacked high and wide in the shop during the holiday season, but you can get them whenever the craving strikes. It’s nothing to see customers walk out with several boxes or even whole cases.

The Russian Mints are stars but it would be a shame not to take a closer look at some of the other goodies around the store, namely the toasted coconut marshmallows and chocolate-covered jujubes.

The John Russell Honey Company

You can’t really go wrong with a sweet, golden gift from the Prairies.

The fields of Petersfield are good to the bees and The John Russell Honey Company does them proud with exceptional products including floral selections such as the wildflower bloom honey. Even just saying it out loud sounds magical and delicious.

Be sure to also grab a jar of the creamed honey with strawberries. There’s really nothing that can beat it on a warm scone packed with Saskatoon berries.

If you can't make it to the 'Peg, you can also order online.

Bothwell Cheese

In the paraphrased words of Johnny Cash, “you could go to the factory and pick it up, it’s cheaper that way.” But we’re not talkin’ about Cadillacs.

We’re talkin’ about cheese, and Bothwell Cheese in particular.

True, you could drive to the hamlet of New Bothwell, Manitoba and pick up your goodies.

But there are other ways to get exotic Madagascar Peppercorn and Red Hot Chili Pepper Jack cheeses (just a couple of the offerings from Bothwell).

You could order online or visit the shop right at the airport. Opt for the eight-piece variety box.

Crown Royal

A gift of Manitoba’s premiere whisky, made from the cool spring waters of Gimli, always seems to elicit an "ooh, ahh" most often followed by an acknowledgement that it’s "the good stuff." 

Crown Royal comes in five blends, starting with De Luxe (yes, that’s the way it’s spelled on the label). You can really step up and give someone the CR Extra Rare, but it will set you back about $178.

Available only at Liquor Marts in Manitoba.

North End Lunch Basket

Sure, this one’s a bit unorthodox and it’s going to take some legwork to pull together. But it’s downright delicious!

The term ‘lunch’ in many rural Manitoba households refers to something you set out for company at around 10 p.m. Your basket should include a few standards:

• A couple of rings of sausage from Karpaty Meats

• Unsliced rye bread from Natural Bakery

• Pickles and mustard from Elman's

• Cheese from Bothwell Cheese

And how's this for streamlined shopping—you can get all of these goodies at Main Street Family Foods.

Feel free to get creative after that—and then sit back and enjoy the inundation of compliments and praise from your guests.