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Whether your kid won’t eat fruits and vegetables, refuses to try new foods, resists certain tastes or textures, or won’t eat much of anything at all, you’re not alone. A recent survey out of C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital found that 35% of parents say they deal with picky eating behaviors. As a result, finding healthy meals for picky eaters, that are kid-friendly and easy and convenient for parents is no easy feat.
In this episode, I sat down with Jennifer Chow, co-founder of Nurture Life, a kids’ meal delivery service that provides freshly-made, nutritious, and ready-to-eat meals for babies, toddlers, and kids.
As a lifelong foodie and the daughter of a registered dietitian, Jennifer already knew the importance of fresh, healthy food, and home-cooked meals when she had her first child. Yet when her son became a toddler, she realized that most of the options for kids his age were heavily-processed meals, frozen foods, and convenience options that made life easier for parents but lacked the key nutrients kids need. Foods like chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, and puff snacks. She decided to make all of her son’s meals from scratch, but as a busy working mom, she knew there had to be an easier way—and Nurture Life was born.
Jennifer and I talk about how she knew other parents needed a service like Nurture Life, her journey to start and grow the company, the biggest lessons she learned, and new products she recently rolled out. She and I also talk about the reasons why babies go from starting solids with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and real food, to a diet made up mostly of highly-processed, convenience foods. She shares her best tips for parents who want their kids to eat their vegetables, try new foods, and eat better overall, and how to get healthy meals for picky eaters on the table every day.
Welcome
2:52 Let’s talk about your story!
3:29 Have you always been passionate about healthy eating and food?
4:40 Throughout your career journey, did you ever think about becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist or doing something with food?
6:12 How did the company come about—was the pain point picky eating?
9:49 Why do you think feeding kids falls apart around the toddler years?
16:07 How did you know other parents wanted this service?
20:13 What is Nurture Life and what can people expect?
25:47 What makes Nurture Life different from its competitors?
28:12 How did you figure out how to launch and grow the business?
29:36 What was one of the biggest challenges that ended up being a good learning experience?
32:00 What advice do you have for other parents who may want to start this type of business?
32:59 What is the future for the company?
34:05 What are your best tips for parents who want their kids to eat better but don’t have the time?
LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW
Julie mentions the USDA’s universal school meal waivers that are set to expire June 30.
To get 50% off your first order and 20% off your next three orders at Nurture Life, use code FOODISSUES.
Follow NurtureLife on Instagram and Facebook.
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