Whole Story

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Fig Food Co.

By Marc Hamel and Ha Lam, October 8, 2011  |  Meet the Blogger  |  More Posts by Marc Hamel and Ha Lam
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.

 

495 Comments

Comments

Gwen L says ...
"Whatever looks goods, that's what will go into the soup." Hey, that's MY recipe!
10/13/2011 5:18:40 PM CDT
Mary Ann Moss says ...
looks yummy............
10/13/2011 5:45:22 PM CDT
penni steinberg says ...
Kudos to Joel Henry for starting Fig Food Co. and making great soup from scratch, just like my grandmother -- except even better, because all the ingredients are organically grown by farmers who care enough to make the world a healthier place. Healthier planet, healthier soup, healthier soup-eaters!
10/13/2011 5:49:59 PM CDT
Diane says ...
I love the fact that I can eat an organic and socially responsible product that also tastes healthy and delicious. Saves me the time of making it for myself. Thanks Fig Food!
10/13/2011 5:54:13 PM CDT
Betsy says ...
OMG .. a competitor to my home-made soups! Well, good for them. I bet it is better than mine!
10/13/2011 5:58:51 PM CDT
Brittany says ...
Love the naming part of their philosophy- clever and ties food to its roots.
10/13/2011 6:19:24 PM CDT
Jena G says ...
With winter coming, home made soups nourish the family on cold days :)
10/13/2011 6:26:06 PM CDT
Mary says ...
A company that echos my philosophy when it comes to making soup.
10/13/2011 6:46:51 PM CDT
Lisa says ...
I appreciate his restraint with salt -- this is my biggest complaint with the usual packaged soups.
10/13/2011 6:53:13 PM CDT
Phoebe says ...
Wow- I'm craving some of Henry's delicious soup right now..I'm glad he uses plant-based products, as I'm a vegetarian!
10/13/2011 7:24:08 PM CDT
Corina says ...
Soup made with lots of love!
10/13/2011 7:27:51 PM CDT
Sarah says ...
I'm glad he is committed to our health through good organic ingredients, low salt and plant based foods. This sounds like a great product!
10/13/2011 8:34:42 PM CDT
Ivy says ...
Fresh ingredients, and flavor,period!
10/13/2011 8:55:19 PM CDT
Trish says ...
Fig foods soups are dinner when you don't feel like cooking. Comfort food that is healthy with real ingredients onions and garlic not powders.
10/13/2011 8:57:05 PM CDT
Monica says ...
Amazing food and causes. Looks fabulous, excited to try it in the future!
10/13/2011 9:08:54 PM CDT
Lorraine says ...
Among other great things, I love how he only uses a small amount of salt in his soups!
10/13/2011 9:17:13 PM CDT
Anne says ...
I had to give up soup for years because I could not find any without MSG or preservatives that triggered migraines. Your soups sound "refreshing"; so glad you use fresh ingredients. I can have soup again!
10/13/2011 9:48:15 PM CDT
Flavia says ...
Awesome example of what society should be like! 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.- TRUE THAT!!
10/13/2011 11:39:37 PM CDT
D Paul says ...
Soup that taste good and you can feel good about eating it.
10/13/2011 11:58:47 PM CDT
Dinorah Hampton says ...
A packaged product that is fresh enough to feed my family. I am looking forward to tasting this product during this fall season. Simple ingredients made with love and care, can't get any better than that!
10/14/2011 12:56:25 AM CDT
Karen C. says ...
Thanks for making the organic choice!
10/14/2011 12:58:31 AM CDT
Mary says ...
Organic, low, sodium, and a great philosophy! Can't waite to try!
10/14/2011 8:13:36 AM CDT
Jennie says ...
I cannot wait to try some of Henry's soup - now I know what I'm having for dinner - I'm making WF my first stop on the way home tonight!
10/14/2011 8:13:43 AM CDT
Jenn says ...
I appreciate local, real foods. Enjoy hearing about new products, this looks like a good one.
10/14/2011 8:15:28 AM CDT
Linda Schlaich says ...
One of the best things about his soup besides the fresh vegetables in it is the fact that it doesn't need any more than a pinch of salt. Most soups, even healthier brands have very high sodium content.
10/14/2011 8:29:45 AM CDT

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