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.
I do not usually think about the people or intentions behind the food I buy. It's great to be reminded of the companies, people, and mission statements that are centered around the quality of food put into the products, and focused on healthy eating and healthy environmental practices.
10/12/2011 6:48:31 PM CDT
Sarah says ...
The idea of producing farmer's market quality food for a mass audience is wonderful.
10/12/2011 6:48:39 PM CDT
Rebecca says ...
I always had a hard time finding decent prepared/packaged soups. Once I made my own sous at home, I realized what was missing--the thought and care that home-cooks put into their food that is lacking in mass production (not to name anyone but I am sure everyone who ate canned soup as a kid knows. . . ). I have found that the smaller companies and organic producers tend to have better products. I trust them more, too. It is refreshing to read Henry's soup philosophy and know that other people have similar opinions to mine when it comes to food. Food should not only taste good, but also nourishing, nurturing, sustainable, and ethical.
10/12/2011 6:48:52 PM CDT
RandiB says ...
Im very into soup and organic is the only way to go for me. Whenever I make a soup I start from scratch stock and all so I know exactly how much salt us going in. Fig and co soup keep me very happy with the organic low sodium option.
10/12/2011 6:50:31 PM CDT
Angela Clark says ...
I really like that they have thought about the whole package. They seem to encompass all parts of their philosophy in the soups.
10/12/2011 6:50:38 PM CDT
Robin says ...
His philosophy should be commended and celebrated.
10/12/2011 6:51:20 PM CDT
BookishCook says ...
Sounds delicious and good for the planet!
10/12/2011 6:54:09 PM CDT
Beth Ianacone says ...
Henry believes the same thing I do - fresh ingredients, layering flavors and slow cooking. Your soups are the next best thing to my own!
Thank you!
10/12/2011 6:56:18 PM CDT
Adrienne says ...
It's so hard to find good low sodium soups - I also like that they're both kosher and organic!
10/12/2011 6:56:29 PM CDT
Mary says ...
I hadn't heard of Fig Food yet. Seeing his holistic consideration of all that goes into his soups, and the healthy ingredients he chooses, makes me eager to try them. Thanks for sharing.
10/12/2011 6:57:35 PM CDT
Lisa says ...
I have thought about all the preservitives in can soup and totally agree soup should have only ingredents everyone knows.
10/12/2011 6:58:01 PM CDT
Jennifer Sproha says ...
I am excited to read about a new product I have yet to try. I will buy some of your soup for my husband this week as he has a bad tooth ache. Great to hear organic is important as it is to me as well.
10/12/2011 6:58:49 PM CDT
stephanie says ...
Definetly am interested in checking out this amazing soup sounds great and i am eager to try a new product I would really like the opportunity to try this soup I am really trying to eat healthier and organic my family mainly my husband really is just being so difficult becasue he likes sweets so much but hey maybe the soup can be the trick.
10/12/2011 7:00:16 PM CDT
Kevin says ...
I like the idea of naming the soups after the region they were inspired by. Great tasting also:)
10/12/2011 7:01:20 PM CDT
steff says ...
i think that is a really creative approach to a soup philosophy! i am making soup right now!
10/12/2011 7:04:10 PM CDT
Heather says ...
I love Henry's philosophy of why he went organic...so responsible I believe. I love soups this time of year. Have been making my own. I have not had the chance to try his soups because I don't believe they are sold in my area. Would love to try them though!
10/12/2011 7:05:58 PM CDT
Ron Pratt says ...
Fig Soups are great! Reminds me of when I used to make homemade soups with my Grandmother with vegatables from her garden.
10/12/2011 7:07:17 PM CDT
Kevin Ramirez says ...
Healthy and Hearty Soup is a great philosophy in their products. Soups are supposed to be welcoming and wholesome, and they are the best when they use healthy and hearty ingredients. A nonconventional but good form of soups is to incorporate low sodium, and I like how Fig Food soups ties that into their soup as well.
10/12/2011 7:13:32 PM CDT
Michael says ...
After re-making the recipe for Mulligatawny soup after requesting it from Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, I definitely learned that a lot of work can go into one pot of soup! It takes a long time to make but it's soooo good after all the hard work is over!
10/12/2011 7:13:32 PM CDT
tracy says ...
I haven't had the chance to try Fig Food soup, but I think the philosophy is admirable and I would love to try!
10/12/2011 7:15:25 PM CDT
Peggy says ...
I like that it's made with only ingredients you know.
10/12/2011 7:19:39 PM CDT
Jacob says ...
I really like how they seem to care about all the ingrediants
10/12/2011 7:21:12 PM CDT
Joanne says ...
I agree with the philosophy , this is how soups should be made.
10/12/2011 7:24:51 PM CDT
Kat says ...
I know I put a lot of thought into what's in the soups I eat; it's nice to know what someone's think about that when they make it. I haven't tried these soups yet, but I see a couple I can eat and I'm always look for soups with healthy ingredients. I'll take a look next time I'm in the store.
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.
We’re lucky to have a whole bunch of smart, passionate people doing incredible things in areas like organics, supporting local growers, green practices, fair trade, micro-lending and all kinds of food related stuff. We’ll use this blog to share some of the cool things going on around here.
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