We love our producers, suppliers and vendors and we think most of them have some pretty interesting stories behind their products too. We’ll be sharing some of our favorites here in an ongoing series. Read on for a chance to win a $50 gift card.
Fig Food makes delicious soup. If you’ve tasted it, you may already know this — but did you know that in every batch of organic, kosher soup, someone has thought about how to pack in the most organic plants possible? “The choices we made around being kosher, being organic, using a new package; it all comes from my own personal passion and wanting to leave a legacy of making the world a better place,” says Joel Henry, founder and owner of Fig Food.
Every choice that Henry has made can be traced to this philosophy, from the seasoning of their soup, the decision to go organic to naming the soups after the areas from which they draw flavor inspiration. (Tuscan White Bean, Yucatan Black Bean and Umbrian Lentil are a few examples.) “Part of making the world a better place is about reconnection; connecting to the farmer, connecting to other people,” says Henry. “I thought if we named the soups with cool names, people would explore the regions to see what they stood for.”
When Henry made the decision to go organic, he asked himself, “ ‘Is it more important to get more people access to plant-based foods and be conventional, or be organic?’ To me, organic growing practices are all about a better environment, and so if I have healthier people in an environment that’s declining, that didn’t sit well.” And so it was. Their lightly salted soups are organic, plant-based and tasty.
Have you ever considered all of the thought that goes into the soup you’re eating? Let us know about your thoughts on Henry’s soup philosophy. Watch the slideshow above and leave a comment with your answer by October 25th. One comment will be chosen at random to win a $50 gift card to our stores.
His philosophy should be celebrated and supported!
10/12/2011 5:58:36 PM CDT
Regina Greaves says ...
I am very excited about this new product and cannot wait to try it. Nothing beats a great bowl of soup!
10/12/2011 6:00:19 PM CDT
ErikaM says ...
Soup is Good Food, as D. K. sang.
10/12/2011 6:02:56 PM CDT
sharon says ...
mass produced soups have a ridiculous amount of sodium.
10/12/2011 6:03:39 PM CDT
Erin says ...
I'm not a huge soup person, but these look great! I will have to try them this winter.
10/12/2011 6:09:43 PM CDT
Sharon says ...
Best soup ever.
10/12/2011 6:10:40 PM CDT
Jaimee says ...
Very inspirational
10/12/2011 6:12:17 PM CDT
Korbin Houston says ...
For Mr. Henry to look at all aspects and to go organic for plant based and friendliness for the environment instead of just going for plant based is really a plus for everybody.
10/12/2011 6:13:17 PM CDT
Barbara C. says ...
As a gardener, I love Henry's soup philosophy. I made soups from the veggies in my garden this summer (and a plethora of zucchini breads) and I love Henry's story.
10/12/2011 6:15:41 PM CDT
Ann says ...
I use veggies from my garden when making soup. I agree!
10/12/2011 6:16:51 PM CDT
Gaby says ...
This is the best boxed soup I've ever tried! I can't even make it as well. The tomato is my favorite, but all make for easy, nutritious and quick weeknight meals.
I think it's a delicate balance between Henry's philosophy and the more conventional one. I want what is best for the environment, and I believe the food industry needs to be stricter on the quality of food so that we can make healthy organic AND plant based foods available, but we also need to educate people about what healthy plant based foods they should be eating and how to incorporate them, and that may take several more baby steps.
10/12/2011 6:19:50 PM CDT
Erin says ...
You are what you eat .... that's what they say, anyway. This is a company I'd truly support.
10/12/2011 6:22:43 PM CDT
Rosine says ...
Henry's soup philosophy is wonderful, it incorporates family, as well as living a healthy lifestyle!
10/12/2011 6:22:54 PM CDT
samantha says ...
cool!! a giftcard!!
10/12/2011 6:26:05 PM CDT
Patricia Gallagher says ...
I look forward to trying Fig Food soups, I always make my own soup to control the sodium level. The fact they lightly salt the soup is very important to me
10/12/2011 6:27:05 PM CDT
Jean D. says ...
I feel better serving organic foods to my family. Fig has won me over.
Thanks for the great giveaway!
10/12/2011 6:27:22 PM CDT
Becky says ...
They don't sell this brand in my local store, now I'm curious! Love the packaging, no cans! I admire their desire to help not only the people eating their soup but the planet that grows their ingredients by using organics. Win!
10/12/2011 6:28:23 PM CDT
Becky R says ...
Anytime organic is available, I buy it! It's great to see a company that uses organic ingredients in a tasty way. I'm looking forward to trying the soups with the cooler weather approaching.
10/12/2011 6:28:28 PM CDT
Melissa says ...
This is really inspiring. Henry takes great care to create healthy and flavorful soups while also maintaining his commitment to environmentally responsible practices.
10/12/2011 6:32:08 PM CDT
Jennifer says ...
I love all the thought and care that goes into their products. They take great care into every detail and that is much appreciated to a mother who likes to put healthy organic foods on the table.
10/12/2011 6:34:05 PM CDT
nap says ...
I admire his decision to go organic, and will remember to look for his product in the store because the names are so cool and make me think!
10/12/2011 6:35:05 PM CDT
Jess S. says ...
not sure i personally agree but i do like the thought that goes into their production.
10/12/2011 6:39:00 PM CDT
RH says ...
For someone who has to carefully monitor sodium intake, my favorite thing about Fig Food is that their soups are truly low sodium.
10/12/2011 6:39:33 PM CDT
Laura J says ...
Love the concept of have foods dense with plant ingredients. I'm trying to live a clean eating lifestyle which encourages lots of real food and none of that commercial artificial chemical gunk!!!
10/12/2011 6:40:57 PM CDT
Lanie says ...
I hadn't thought of all the hard work that does into making soups. These soups sound delicious and I have a new appreciation of them. I can't wait to try some :)
Welcome to Whole Story, the official blog of Whole Foods Market. Don't know us? In a nutshell, we are the world’s leading natural and organic grocer and we’re passionate about healthy food and a healthy planet. Learn more about us.
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