Support Small: Wholesome Roots

Hauser’s “why” is personal but is also rooted in a community-oriented mindset. A former social worker, she started the business, which provides hands-on cooking classes to kids, to help ensure her own children were eating healthy meals at home. It’s harder to control the ingredients when they’re at school or at friends’ homes.

She realized she could offer the same value proposition to other families in the community and thus the concept behind Wholesome Roots Cooking was born. Like many entrepreneurs, she started slowly before devoting her full attention to the enterprise.

“I dabbled in it slowly, offering a few classes here and there, and then I got the business side of everything set up — and the response was great,” she said. “It was immediate, like positive affirmation from the Fort Wayne community. So, I just kept adding classes, and now I have classes with waiting lists.”

Today, she partners with local school districts and Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation to market to potential students. Hauser’s goal is to make the experience as hands-on as possible in an environment that encourages exploration in terms of the actual art of cooking and trying new foods. Parents also benefit, too. else because oftentimes, our kids listen better to other people, just like teachers. And then the mess is somewhere else— the mess isn’t at home,” she said.

Beyond the messy factor, she said her classes provide a safe space for kids to try new foods. For example, she says there’s something gratifying about kids eating spinach and learning to love it.

But children aren’t the only students she caters to. More recently in September 2021, she has expanded her offerings to teach adults. For example, she partners with the chefs at local eateries like Mercado on the Landing, Alto Grande Food & Beverage Company, and JK O’Donnell’s.

This milestone represents just the beginning of this aspect of her venture.

“I’m still making connections for that side of the classes and the programming, so more of those will be added in the future,” she said.

On that note, she shared that she’s looking to partner with local bakers down the road to explore other avenues. In the meantime, she said she has no plans to deviate from her core mission: “I’m very big on relationships, and so I go and help the chef at the adult classes, but the kid classes will never go away,” she said. “This is why I started it in the first place.”

At the same time, she’s leaning into growth with a planned move to a storefront soon at 14411 Lima Road. Hauser said the location is ideal, as it’s in the same plaza as other small businesses like Well Grounded Cafe.

“They hosted a pop-up kitchen that I did this summer to try out having a brick-and-mortar location,” she said. “(The owner) has really helped me get to know the community and has been supportive of my business. So, I think it’ll be a good real good fit for me.” a

By Lauren Caggiano

Meghan Hauser with Wholesome Roots Cooking is on a mission to make simple yet healthful meals within reach for children and adults alike.

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