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.
Tasty, thoughtful, and wholesome. What a great model for a family experience that can be sustainable and socially responsible.
10/19/2011 11:48:13 AM CDT
Patrick says ...
We're big fans of Fig Food soups. It's nice when the stuff that's good for you actually tastes good, too. And Joel's relationship to farmers is really exemplary. We always try to make sure we have some of the Yucatan Black Bean on hand, for when our schedules get out of hand and we need to heat up a quick meal. (They're good to take to work, too.)
10/19/2011 7:41:25 PM CDT
Brilana says ...
Sounds good! I'll have to look for it next time I'm at Whole Foods. Just in time for Fall!
10/20/2011 11:29:51 PM CDT
misty says ...
I love soup, any soup, and I can eat everyday. Organic soup is the way to go! I like Henry’s soup philosophy "connecting to other people" through soup. Nice!
10/21/2011 2:05:09 AM CDT
Heather says ...
I tried the wheatberry, didnt love it. I must try the others.
10/21/2011 3:15:44 AM CDT
Yas says ...
I always look at the ingredients in the food that I buy because I really care what I choose to put directly into my system. I have so much appreciation for those who work so hard to put the highest quality ingredients together for a tasty yet natural source of food. Much support to Henry's philosophy because the more natural the food, the better it tastes :]
10/21/2011 10:00:10 AM CDT
John Gunther says ...
I chose to weatch this video because I love the product. Now after watching the video my appreciation of their products have broadened even further. A customer was buying one of their soups after I watched the video and I couldn't help but explain all the things I'd learned. She was thrilled to hear just how connected the company is to the local farmers who grow their ingrediants.
10/21/2011 5:03:31 PM CDT
Karen Fine says ...
These soups sound really great and healthy. As just learning that my 7yr old son has multiple kinds of allergies and intolerances our whole household eating lifestyle will be changing. With just starting to research about different food options for our new family adventure it's been very nice to find out about companies like this one who work very hard at bringing us so many different options that will work with the food options that we do still have. And even though our family will be eating differently due to our one little member it's going to be healthier for all of us but most importantly it will make him healthier and feeling better. Thank you Fig for giving us the different options we need to have our lifestyle change!
10/21/2011 8:29:32 PM CDT
Marina says ...
I wonder if Fig does meat-based soups? I'd love it if they had some with grass-fed beef or pastured chicken, or maybe some seafood type soup.
10/22/2011 6:34:13 AM CDT
Patrick says ...
Let them eat soup !
10/22/2011 9:38:08 AM CDT
unsyncsteve says ...
My favorite is changing daily as I try each new soup, but right now, my fave is Yucatan Black Bean, and yes, I do add a dash of my own light salt!
10/23/2011 11:30:46 PM CDT
angie says ...
I love this! I make soup all the time in this same way...whatever I have on hand plus some fresh herbs or veggies from the garden or farmers market. Its great to see a company doing the same thing. I love the origination of their name too. Since I am an avid soup maker myself, I don't often have to think about what goes into the soups I buy, because I look for soups that are made as I would make them.
10/24/2011 8:35:59 AM CDT
Caitlin says ...
Sounds wonderful! I am very interested in leading a healthy life and am always looking for things like this to incorporate into my life!
10/25/2011 6:36:51 PM CDT
ericka says ...
I can't wait to try FIG FOOD! I have been looking for interesting and healthy soups, and this seems like it! What an interesting story too! It's so great to know what inspired new products and where they come from!
10/27/2011 8:40:19 AM CDT
Karen Jones says ...
Hello,I am a 53 year old woman who was recently diagnosed with gastroparesis. Basically it means that my stomach is paralyzed and does not function properly. I can't wait to try your soups as I have vowed to eat organic whenever I can.I greatly appreciate Fig Farms commitment to organic ingredients in their soup products.Thank you so much!
10/29/2011 7:22:58 AM CDT
kailey wengoe says ...
Good website. All posts have a process to learn. Thank you for another important article.
11/04/2011 3:12:16 PM CDT
CathyJ says ...
Finally a producer who gets it with soup and the sodium. If you we're making it at home, would you just take the lid off the shaker and dump all of the contents in the pot, then turn around and happily ladle the soup in the bowl for your family? Thank you for getting it, Fig. Taste the soup, not the salt.
10/28/2012 5:20:18 PM CDT
D says ...
I have been looking forward to purchase Fig Food Co. Pumpkin Puree again this year at my local Whole Foods Market but it doesn't seem to carry it anymore. Can I still have any hopes?
11/17/2012 1:25:38 PM CST
Nikki - Community Moderator says ...
@D - I double checked on their website and wasn't able to find a pumpkin puree listed on their site. It's possible that they did not make this product this year. I would encourage you to reach out to them directly at http://www.figfood.com/contact.html as I'm sure they'd be happy to help!
11/19/2012 5:36:33 PM CST
Gina says ...
I absolutely love these soups!! I wanted to eat healthy and organic during my pregnancy and these soups were an easy way for me to do it! Thank you for making them, they are delicious!
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