Fresh N’ Lean When Laureen Asseo was 18, her father’s health took a turn for the worse after years of consuming processed and fast foods. As she helped her father recover, she learned the importance of living a lifestyle with an organic diet full of nutrient-rich meals. This scare with her father inspired her to help others learn how to eat and live well. Fresh N’ Lean was born out of her one-bedroom apartment and is now the largest organic ready-to-eat meal delivery company in the country. Although it’s evident Asseo is an inspiration to many, she says her employees inspire her every day and she is extremely grateful to have the opportunity to lead and work with a diverse group of more than 450 people. “Being able to learn and understand everyone’s journey and background has really shaped me as a person,” says Asseo. Dishes change by the season, but you can expect meals with winter squash on the menu now. freshnlean.com.
Meet the Source Roxanne Golkar and her husband, Bradley, created Costa Mesabased Meet the Source by accident. “We owned a small raw almond milk company called Rawmond Milk and frequently had large amounts of almond pulp we didn’t want to throw away,” says Roxanne. “So we experimented with the pulp in different ways, including making our first raw carrot cake.” A lightbulb went off when they quickly sold out of goods made with the leftover almond pulp at the weekly farmers market. They decided they would open a whole foods bakery specializing in organic, gluten- and dairy-free goods. “We have always believed in clean foods and knowing what ingredients you are putting into your body, so transitioning from making a clean almond milk product to clean snack foods and desserts was meant to be for us,” says Roxanne. The Golkars are constantly inspired by their customers and love to see the happiness on their faces when they are finally able to enjoy a dessert that won’t make them feel sick. Cakes, Bliss Balls, cinnamon buns, and more are sold online. meetthesource.com, (714) 698-9157
28
Photo credit courtesy of Fresh N’ Lean, Meet the Source, Prime by Shenandoah, and Rori’s Artisanal Creamery
