Whole Story

The Official Whole Foods Market® Blog

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

carole aghassi says ...
Love the figs!!! I recently made a pizza with figs, gorgonzola and fresh basil. so easy and soo... delicious.
10/15/2011 3:22:34 PM CDT
sally schwartz says ...
i really should eat more soup, but it is so inconvenient to make
10/15/2011 4:22:05 PM CDT
Yuliya Bas says ...
Sounds great! I would love to try it :)
10/15/2011 4:44:49 PM CDT
Linda says ...
Just heard about your soups. Can't wait to try them.
10/15/2011 4:54:31 PM CDT
marie says ...
Get ready for Christmas, because we 'all want some figgy pudding'
10/15/2011 5:36:43 PM CDT
Judy says ...
I love soup and am sure I will love yours.
10/15/2011 6:06:12 PM CDT
Hanny says ...
I LOVE soup. I'm usually to lazy to make it though, so I just buy it canned. lol
10/15/2011 8:06:13 PM CDT
Susan Navidad says ...
Will look for these next time I'm in Whole Foods!
10/16/2011 5:08:36 AM CDT
Sandra says ...
Must say..never heard of this soup. Maybe company can be called 'Fig' but different brand name for soup-line would work better.
10/16/2011 8:04:22 AM CDT
Carmen says ...
Love figs period, have not tried the soup, but will do so the next time I am in the store..
10/16/2011 9:59:22 AM CDT
Linda says ...
I have never heard of this soup, but I will make sure to look for it on my next shopping trip. I wish there were more people like Joel.
10/16/2011 11:56:48 AM CDT
Nancy says ...
trying to make more fresh soup this fall and winter. This sounds good!
10/16/2011 12:02:45 PM CDT
Anna says ...
Buy your soups at my Whole Foods in NC... The flavors you developed are wonderful...looking forward to buying more as the weather turns colder. Love your soups !
10/16/2011 2:34:04 PM CDT
Jayna M says ...
It's always nice to buy from companies (and people) who are trying to improve the world around them - even better when the product is so good!
10/16/2011 2:46:35 PM CDT
Colleen Walsh says ...
MMMMMMm...sounds so yummy
10/16/2011 7:39:05 PM CDT
Marybeth McCarthy says ...
I love Whole Foods for giving small producers a chance to get their products into a market. Great.
10/16/2011 7:51:43 PM CDT
Carl says ...
I tried this originally when it was on sale or there was a coupon, and I was just admiring the packaging last week, realizing it's been awhile and that I'd like to have some more. Thanks for the reminder!
10/16/2011 8:18:13 PM CDT
Madonna says ...
I love Henry's philosophy on making soup--I think soup is one of the "good for soul, good for body" foods, and it is refreshing to find someone who makes this product a reality!! For the times I can't make my own soup, I will definitely try this brand!!
10/17/2011 8:50:20 AM CDT
Margie Kairis says ...
Sounds like a great company, I'm impressed at Fig Food's packaging since if I'm not mistaken those are Tetra Pak containers and they are BPA free. I tend to usually buy Amy's brand canned soups but maybe I'll try a Fig Food soup sometime.
10/17/2011 9:52:41 AM CDT
Amanda says ...
Thanks for sharing the information about this brand. Its an inspiring story with a great message. I usually eat Amy's brand soups but I'm gonna give Fig Food a go!
10/17/2011 11:32:48 AM CDT
Josef Concanon Dochterman says ...
I love organic Vegan! Thanks for making the soup. If you made raw Vegan dishes that would be great as well. Vegan Organic food is so good for people's health, I can't say enough good things. If only everyone went Vegan, it would save so many medical expenses, give people happier healthier lives, and help the environment and the animals. We love Organic Vegan food, thanks!! Josef
10/17/2011 12:34:09 PM CDT
Catherine Johnson says ...
These soups sound fantastic. Soups are the main part of my meal plan during the fall. I make some crusty whole grain bread and it's a great meal. I've even made soup in the summer and a friend told me that it's nice to make some hot soup when it's 95 degrees outside (hahaha). Has he never heard of air conditioning??? I can't wait to try these. I'll be heading to Whole Foods on my way home from work tonight.
10/17/2011 12:52:54 PM CDT
Jade says ...
I am always looking for soup that uses organic ingredients and tastes like I made it (with love). It would be great if it's low sodium too.
10/17/2011 1:33:08 PM CDT
Anne Marie says ...
Soup is my go to choice when preparing meals for my elderly mother. Nice to know about another wholesome option. Will definitely try.
10/17/2011 2:19:50 PM CDT
lubird says ...
yum yum heartwarming
10/17/2011 5:22:51 PM CDT

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