Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Girton.
Hi Amanda, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Our story began in April 2013.. my dad was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimers. As you can imagine, this was tragic news to our family. I was born and raised in Duette, Florida, eating meat, potatoes, boxed mac and cheese and other processed foods. We didn’t realize just how impactful our diets are on our bodies. It was then that we began to switch to a whole-food, plant-based diet and lifestyle. My family discovered that we needed to eat food. Though we were not able to find snacks that we were looking for- nutrient-dense, vegan, (preferably raw vegan), and truly tasted great. As an excellent home cook, my mom took this as a challenge. We began to make our own raw vegan snacks. We sold them to our neighbors and at many local farmer’s markets. Slow Foods Kitchen began to become a reality. Today we have a commercial facility in Palmetto, Florida, with wholesale and retail customers across Florida. We are excited to be able to use our snacks to help busy families snack well and teach others how they can begin to live a more plant-based lifestyle. We welcome all diets. Part-time vegans are welcome!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Our journey has been tough! As with any new business, there are many struggles. Our struggle was caring for my dad while also trying to grow our snacks from a hobby to a sustainable business. The mental and emotional drain feels unbearable at times. We have pushed through our struggles. Our passion grows for our business as we can reach and teach others about the value of eating more plants for our health.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Slow Foods Kitchen?
At Slow Foods Kitchen, we pride ourselves on making vegan snacks for all. Non-vegans, flexitarians and part-time vegans all love our snacks. For us, it isn’t about being extreme and going vegan overnight. It is about making small practical steps on a daily or weekly basis that lead to long-term improvements in our diets and lifestyles, such as eating more plants. This is what sets us apart. You don’t have to be a vegan to enjoy our snacks. You have to want to try something new or be curious about how you can improve your health with a better diet. We welcome part-time vegans. We know that if you are going vegan overnight, you may not stick with your new diet or feel guilty when you mess up and eat a slice of pizza. At Slow Foods Kitchen, we handcraft all of our snacks to be raw, vegan, organic, gluten-free, and dairy-free. We also offer nut-free snack options. We want our snacks to be accessible, which is why you can find our snacks on SlowFoodsKitchen.com, Etsy, Amazon and Walmart.com. We want vegans and non-vegans alike to be able to enjoy truly nutrient-dense snacks that you can feel great about eating.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Over the next few years, I see the industry of plant-based foods growing. We already see decreased sales of dairy products. There is also an increase in activism for our plant, and much of that includes the foods we are eating and how they impact the planet. I see the trend of plant-based products continuing to grow. This is very exciting to see!
Pricing:
- Vegan snacks under $10
Contact Info:
- Email: Info@SlowFoodsKitchen.com
- Website: http://www.slowfoodskitchen.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/slowfoodskitchen
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/slowfoodskitchen
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/sfk_inc
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgepydrNM99eSNmDWsc1rQA
Image Credits
Sherri’s Island Images
