How Colleen Moriarty Of Hunger Solutions Minnesota Is Helping To Address The Growing Challenge Of Food Insecurity

An Interview With Martita Mestey

Be ready for anything. A pandemic, a fire that closed the only grocery store in town, a massive civil rights movement. If the past few years have taught me anything, it’s that the work can change on a dime. Always be ready to shift priorities to meet the needs of the community.

In many parts of the United States, there is a crisis of people having limited reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. As prices rise, this problem will likely become more acute. How can this problem be solved? Who are the leaders helping to address this crisis?

In this interview series, we are talking to leaders who are helping to address the increasing problem of food insecurity who can share the initiatives they are leading to address and solve this problem.

As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Colleen Moriarty.

Colleen Moriarty has been involved in poverty programs for the majority of her career. As Hunger Solution Minnesota’s Executive Director and co-chair of the Hunger-Free Schools campaign to bring universal school meals to Minnesota, she works to motivate decision-makers to take supportive action on state and national hunger policy issues.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory”? What led you to this particular career path?

I grew up in a politically active family. My grandfather was in politics and my father was a strong DFLer. As a young girl, my dad would ask — “what did you do for someone else today?” — that was leadership in our family, and a mindset that guided my career path. I’ve worked in many roles, including Chief of Staff to Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton, served on the Minneapolis School Board, and was the Executive Director with the Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board. My first job however was as a community organizer, and I still consider myself one today.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?

It might not be the most interesting, but the most surprising thing that’s happened since working in the anti-hunger field is realizing how many people don’t understand that hunger exists in their own communities. Many people don’t believe in funding resources for hunger because they don’t see it everyday and don’t realize how great of a need there is out there. Food insecurity exists in every single community; urban, rural, and suburban. It’s not just a third world issue, it’s in our own backyards.

Are you able to identify a “tipping point” in your career when you started to see success? Did you start doing anything different? Are there takeaways or lessons that others can learn from that?

This year, we started to see traction on a career-long goal of mine to bring free breakfast and lunch to all students in Minnesota. When I first started advocating for the issue, it started with a belief that school meals need to be nutritious, then we moved towards advocating for adding school breakfast to schools. Then, when stories began coming out about school administrators punishing and humiliating students for unpaid lunch debt, we secured a legislative victory to end lunch shaming practices.

This year, after a 15-year fight and lots of persistence, Minnesota’s Governor Tim Walz announced funding for universal school meals in his budget. It was a great first step, and we’ve been working hard ever since to make it a reality. There’s a lot of work that still needs to be done to get Hunger-Free Schools passed, but it’s a top priority for our Governor and it’s an issue that has finally been getting the attention it deserves.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person to whom you are grateful who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

Connie Greer served as the Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity at the Minnesota Department of Human Services for 30 years. Connie was instrumental in my success as leader of Hunger Solutions Minnesota and everything I’ve learned I attribute to her. She taught me the value in true partnership and it’s shaped the collaborative nature of the organization we have now. Thanks to my partnership with Connie and the Minnesota Department of Human Services, I came to learn that not one person or one organization can end hunger. It’s only a fight we will win if we all work together.

You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?

I’d say it starts with determination. We couldn’t have made the progress in the fight against hunger that we have without determination. For 15 years I’ve dreamed of a time when all school aged children were able to eat breakfast and lunch at school. It took a lot of determination from myself, my staff, and our partners to get to where we are today.

I also think as leaders we need to be willing to listen. Listen to our stakeholders, colleagues, and peers, but perhaps more importantly, listen to those that we are working to help. I’m focused on making sure that everything we do is of direct benefit to those facing food insecurity. Listening and learning from those with lived experience help guide my work.

And finally, being able to communicate effectively. I’ve learned after years of testifying for both state and federal anti-hunger policies that the most effective and impactful leaders are ones who are clear about their mission, the issues, and how it’ll impact real life people.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

My family had an old Irish Catholic motto that has always stuck with me — “We Bend and Never Break”. It perfectly encompasses the struggles we all go through as humans, especially women balancing raising a family and having a thriving career. It became a special reminder as I raised my three boys as a single mother.

Ok super. Let’s now shift to the main part of our discussion. Can you describe to our readers how your work is helping to address the challenge of food insecurity?

I’ve always been a big picture person. Our work at Hunger Solutions does exactly that, it’s comprehensive. We aren’t just focused on one part of the food insecurity story; we focus on the emergency food system as a whole. From governmental programs like SNAP, to food shelves and farmers markets, to pop-up community fridges, from the senior center to the school lunchroom — it’s all connected.

Ending hunger in the long-term is always our top priority, which is why I’ve always gravitated to working with the Legislature. We need sound public policy changes to make a real impact. Right now, in Minnesota, 1 in 6 children are facing food insecurity. We know that school meals account for over half of a child’s daily calories. It’s policies like our Hunger-Free Schools campaign that could really make a difference in ending childhood hunger.

Can you share something about your work that makes you most proud? Is there a particular story or incident that you found most uplifting?

In 2017, I was awarded a national award for SNAP innovation from the Food Research Action Council (FRAC.) FRAC is a national organization that we work very closely with. SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is a critical program for people and is one of the most effective ways of lifting families out of poverty. We implemented a program to connect patients at their health care clinics and hospitals with food resources through our Minnesota Food Helpline. Since its implementation, we’ve been able to help nearly 5,000 people find food help and have supported clinics and health care systems to bridge the gap between health care and food insecurity. It was an honor to see that work recognized and I’m very proud of that award.

In your opinion, what should other business and civic leaders do to further address these problems? Can you please share a few things that can be done to further address the problem of food insecurity?

Business leaders need to pay a living wage. Families are facing real challenges with the rising costs of food, housing, and other monthly expenses. Support your employees and their families in any way you can. Oh, and if your employee needs time off to visit a food shelf — grant it! Food shelves are often only open during business hours, so be flexible and understanding.

Are there other leaders or organizations who have done good work to address the challenge of food scarcity? Can you tell us what they have done? What specifically impresses you about their work? Perhaps we can reach out to them to include them in this series.

Sophia Lenarz-Coy is the Executive Director of The Food Group, a food bank that serves 30 counties throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin. Under Sophia’s leadership, The Food Group works hard to ensure the emergency food system works for those disproportionately affected by the issue. They purchase local products, support sustainable farming, distribute culturally specific foods, and drive food systems change.

If you had the power to influence legislation, are there laws that you would like to see introduced that might help you in your work?

We need universal school meals in every state in this country. We require kids to go to school, why shouldn’t we take care of them while they are there? It’s the most equitable and just way to ensure proper childhood nutrition.

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.

1. Small wins are impactful. Ending hunger can sometimes seem like a big, insurmountable issue. It’s not a fight that will be easily won. Focus on what change you can make, and work hard to achieve it.
2. Stay learning. You’ll never know it all. Continue to listen to and learn from everyone you meet.
3. Cultural Competency is key. It’s not enough to have a DEI statement and call it a day. To lead a successful organization, you need to value diversity. You need to do the work to increase your own cultural competency and develop adaptations to your organization that reflect a better understanding of diversity and cultural differences.
4. Be ready for anything. A pandemic, a fire that closed the only grocery store in town, a massive civil rights movement. If the past few years have taught me anything, it’s that the work can change on a dime. Always be ready to shift priorities to meet the needs of the community.
5. Take care of yourself. It’s simple, you can’t help others if you’re not taking care of yourself.

You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

We need to return to a more trusting and truth-telling environment. People have lost track of truth these days. Facts can easily be distorted, and it’s hard for people to trust what they’re hearing from the government and the media. I’d love to see a movement of respect, honesty and trust.

Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)

Bruce Springsteen. For years, I’ve traveled all around the world to see him perform. I don’t just love his music; I love what he stands for and his values.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

You can follow our work to bring free school meals to Minnesota at www.hungerfreeschoolsmn.org, or on social media:

https://twitter.com/hfschoolsmn

https://facebook.com/hfschoolsmn

https://instagram.com/hfschoolsmn

Follow the other work Hunger Solutions, or sign up for our Action Alerts on how you can help at:

https://hungersolutions.org.

Follow us on social media at:

https://facebook.com/HungerSolutionsMN

https://twitter.com/HungerSolutions

https://instagram.com/HungerSolutions

https://linkedin.com/company/hunger-solutions-minnesota

This was very meaningful, thank you so much, and we wish you only continued success.

How Colleen Moriarty Of Hunger Solutions Minnesota Is Helping To Address The Growing Challenge Of… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Social Impact Heroes Helping Our Planet: Why & How Ieva Kazakeviciute Is Helping To Change Our World

An Interview With Martita Mestey

You don’t always have to perform. I have certainly had days along this journey where there is so much to cope with I don’t know where to start. I have learnt that it’s sometimes best to take a step back, look at a bigger picture, prioritise and move forward at my own comfortable pace.

As part of my series about “individuals and organizations making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Ieva Kazakeviciute.

Ieva Kazakeviciute, a co-founder of Sustain Academy. The first sustainability and green skills developing platform created for businesses to train and upskill their employees. Ieva is also a sustainability and B-Corp consultant at Sustain Advisory.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit. Can you tell us a bit about how you grew up?

I grew up in a small town in the suburbs of Lithuania. A lot of my surroundings back then were sustainable by default — growing up with my grandparents with a backyard full of farm animals and a garden always full of fresh fruit and veg, that used to be a norm for most of the kids my age. Additionally I had a mother that had a strong interest and was working within the sustainable beauty sector. My very first face creams or nail polishes had no other option but to be organic and ethically made. :) Because of that, sustainability has always been a topic close to my heart.

You are currently leading a social impact organization that is making a difference for our planet. Can you tell us a bit about what you and your organization are trying to change in our world today?

I have spent the last 5 years working within the sustainable businesses sector. The first 3 were spent over in London, where I was working for a boutique consultancy firm helping sustainable FMCG brands enter the market and build sustainable growth strategies. For the last two years together with my business partner Auste we have been building and running Sustain Academy — a holistic sustainability training and mentorship program designed for businesses. We run engaging live online lectures with world’s leading sustainability experts on the key sustainability topics helping organisations develop the knowledge and green skills needed. They have the opportunity to learn from industry peers, engage in conversations with one another as well as speakers and have an opportunity to be mentored by one of the leading experts in sustainability when building a custom sustainability strategy.

Can you tell us the backstory about what inspired you to originally feel passionate about this cause?

Back in 2017 I was volunteering in Madagascar at a marine conservation site together with Blue Ventures. I call that break in Madagascar between changing jobs my turning point where I realised that I certainly want to be working within the field of sustainability. I experienced first hand the damage that was being created due to overconsumption of resources by people and businesses and saw the potential where we could improve the old ways of doing things whether it will be the environmental, social or governance part of sustainability.

Many of us have ideas, dreams, and passions, but never manifest them. They don’t get up and just do it. But you did. Was there an “Aha Moment” that made you decide that you were actually going to step up and do it? What was that final trigger?

I don’t think there was an “aha moment” as such, however meeting my business partner and now a close friend Auste was certainly a deal breaker. We shared the same passion for this topic and had a matching set of skills. We were both also at the same stages of our careers where we were thinking “what’s next?” and had a burning desire to create solutions for sustainability professionals that we felt were so much needed. I call myself lucky that all those things fell into place and the rest has been just pure focus and work towards the set goals.

Many people don’t know the steps to take to start a new organization. But you did. What are some of the things or steps you took to get your project started?

Many don’t and we didn’t either. We knew we had an idea that we felt strongly passionate about and we knew the somewhat end point where we wanted to be within the next 6 months, and the rest followed. We researched, we arranged calls with pretty much every single person working within sustainability in Lithuania to truly understand what’s happening within the market, we asked for help, contacts and leads where needed and managed to successfully launch the project in time as planned.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?

There isn’t one story that I would be able to exclude, however I’m happy to say that meeting our speakers/lecturers/mentors is certainly one of the most interesting parts of the job. We work with the world’s leading sustainability experts, innovators, leaders that run the world’s largest and most forward thinking organisations. Meeting those people and having the opportunity to work alongside them is a very thrilling part of our job.

None of us can be successful without some help along the way. Did you have mentors or cheerleaders who helped you to succeed? Can you tell us a story about their influence?

We didn’t have mentors as such, however having built a network of 25+ sustainability experts from the start, we always felt the support needed. Even when things were getting tough and we couldn’t find answers there are always those people we can turn to, that are always happy to help and support us with their expertise. For example, a lot of the high profile connections we made abroad were led by our very first mentors and speakers over here in Lithuania, we’re very grateful for that.

Are there three things the community, society, or politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?

The two main “helpers” in the problem we are trying to solve are politicians and society. Society raises awareness on the current issues and puts active pressure on the businesses. Due to that we see a lot of them actively seeking solutions and ways to implement changes. In the meantime politicians are responsible for introducing regulations that certainly speed up the process of business applications and implementations.

How would you articulate how a business can become more profitable by being more sustainable and more environmentally conscious? Can you share a story or example?

Although a lot of the times when we look at short term sustainable practise implementations, changes in internal processes, innovations and so on, initial investment is often required. However, when we start looking at a bigger picture and long term strategies, organisations see that huge savings can be made. Our main job is to give organistions tools with which they can analyse/audit their current processes, analyse their effectiveness and be able to put a strategic plan into place that would allow them to act with a clear direction and a step by step plan. From the feedback we receive 67% of the organisations that have completed the course have managed to implement cost cutting measures across organisations.

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.

1. Be patient, great things take time. Quickly after starting I realised that we want to create a quality product and we want to do it fast. It took us some time to realise, that some things take time and thorough thought processes to actually be put together.
2. Focus. It’s easy to pulled into many different directions and get excited about a number of ideas especially when you’re just getting started. I remember at the beginning we had started a live event series on very niche topics within corporate sustainability. Although we got traction, we quickly realised it is taking us a lot of time to produce quality content, the returns are tiny considering the time we invest and we quickly diverted our efforts to more efficient ways to gain publicity.
3. If it doesn’t work, let it go. We have had ideas along the way that we would get so attached to, we would forget our true main purpose. Having a strong business partner and team alongside has certainly helped us to stay on the right track.
4. You don’t always have to perform. I have certainly had days along this journey where there is so much to cope with I don’t know where to start. I have learnt that it’s sometimes best to take a step back, look at a bigger picture, prioritise and move forward at my own comfortable pace.
5. Have fun along the way. Things can get tough, but it’s crucial to be able to see the fun side of things, laugh at your own mistakes and sometimes remember that a team is a group of people with their own hobbies, interests, pet peeves etc. Embrace that, take things easy and most importantly appreciate one another.

If you could tell other young people one thing about why they should consider making a positive impact on our environment or society, like you, what would you tell them?

If anyone should feel the pressure to make a difference I believe it should be the young generation, who have the longest left here to stay. :) If there ever is a moment in time where you feel too small to make a difference, remember that no one is too small to make a difference. Big things start with one tiny act of kindness that creates a knock-on effect across your closest circle and then a wider society and that’s how a real impact is made. Don’t be afraid to start!

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

One of my all time favourite quotes is “No individual or organisation can do everything, but we all can do something.”. I remember starting to do what we do now and feeling so small, so powerless, the problems seemed too big for us to tackle, yet slowly, step by step we have found the ways that work for us and we’re able to contribute towards a positive change across every organization that comes to learn with us. I’m happy we didn’t hesitate.

Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)

That would certainly be Sylvia Earle, I have been fascinated by her passion for environmentalism and ocean health for years now and would love to get the opportunity to ask questions and discuss what in her opinion the future is holding for us.

This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!

Social Impact Heroes Helping Our Planet: Why & How Ieva Kazakeviciute Is Helping To Change Our… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Randy Schultz of HomeGarden and Homestead: 5 Things You Need To Know To Create A Successful Vegetable Garden To Grow Your Own Food

An Interview With Martita Mestey

Pick the best garden spot on your property. Most vegetables grow best in a spot that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight a day. So don’t put your vegetable garden underneath a big tree where it’s shady. And in hot climates, your vegetable garden plants are not going to be happy with hot, baking afternoon sun. So don’t try to grow vegetables next to a wall that’s in the hot sun all afternoon.

As we all know, inflation has really increased the price of food. Many people have turned to home gardening to grow their own food. Many have tried this and have been really successful. But others struggle to produce food in their own garden. What do you need to know to create a successful vegetable garden to grow your own food? In this interview series, called “5 Things You Need To Know To Create A Successful Vegetable Garden To Grow Your Own Food” we are talking to experts in vegetable gardening who can share stories and insights from their experiences.

As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Randy Schultz, Founder and Content Editor of HomeGardenandHomestead.com.

Randy Schultz is a lifelong gardener who fell in love with gardening after growing “the world’s tastiest tomatoes” as a child. A communications professional by training, Randy has served as a marketing consultant to a wide range of home and garden companies including Summit Responsible Solutions, Botanical Interests, Power Planter, CobraHead, Logee’s Plants, and Park Seed. In 2018, Randy founded HomeGardenandHomestead.com, an online guide to what’s new and trending for homes and gardens. This website has twice been honored with a Gold Medal Award from GardenComm. Randy is a Master Gardener who still gets his hands dirty in his garden in Colorado Springs, CO.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory”?

I have always enjoyed growing plants, and I have always been fascinated by plants that produce food. One of my earliest memories is picking peaches from our backyard tree in suburban Detroit. Later, when my family moved to Southern California, I really started getting my hands dirty in the family vegetable garden.

The closest thing I had to a gardening mentor was my paternal grandmother, but I only saw her for a week or two in the summer when we drove up to Oregon. So, mostly I learned about growing vegetables by trial and success. Yes, I learned by making mistakes. But I always tried to focus on the successes — like harvesting salad greens or eating homegrown squash.

I must admit that I started out as a “vegetable snob.” I had no idea why anyone would grow ornamental plants or flowers. I wanted to grow plants that rewarded me with a prize — something delicious I could eat. I still carry some of that bias with me now, even though I’m a Master Gardener and have grown all kinds of plants.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?

In the early 1990s, I published 11 editions of a media guide called The Consumer’s Guide to Planet Earth. It was a directory of eco-friendly companies and their products. The idea was to promote environmentally friendly products so people could make consumer choices that would help the planet.

The most successful section of the Consumer’s Guide was the gardening section. Companies loved to be listed in it, and journalists loved to write about things such as organic gardening and composting. When I stopped publishing the Consumer’s Guide, I decided to focus my public relations and marketing business on garden products. It was one of those, “do what you like, and the money will follow” kind of decisions. My business flourished, and I got to learn about and talk about gardening — and get paid for it.

Along the way, I joined an organization that’s now called GardenComm. This is a group of garden writers and gardening communicators that spans North America and now the world. These are people who love gardening and have chosen it as a career path. I became one of them, and that’s how I managed to fully integrate gardening into my life.

You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?

Honesty. I have always strived to be honest in my dealings with other people and honest with myself. If you want to succeed in life, you need to tell the truth. My grandpa once gave me this advice: It’s a whole lot better — and easier — to tell the truth. Nobody is smart enough to remember which lie you told to which person.

A strong work ethic. Most of us don’t get rich quick, and most of us don’t achieve immediate success. You have to work at it. A strong work ethic is the one common trait among every successful person I have ever met. Luck is the residue of hard work. And good luck is where opportunity and preparation meet.

Positive outlook. I have always tried to look on the bright side and walk on the sunny side of the street. It’s part of my nature, but it’s also a trait that I’ve developed into a habit. I am a firm believer in this: your attitude determines your altitude. In other words, your positive outlook will determine how far and how high you can go in life. One of my greatest accomplishments as a parent was when my oldest son told me, “You were the one who taught me how important a positive attitude is.”

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

One of my favorite people in the world of gardening, Karen Park Jennings, once told me, “I’ve learned a lot by killing plants.” Karen was from a very famous family of gardeners — the Park Seed family. Yet she learned about gardening in the old-fashioned, hands-in-the dirt way. Karen reminded me that in gardening, and in life, it’s all right to make mistakes — as long as you learn from them.

Are you working on any interesting or exciting new projects now? How do you think that will help people?

My “passion project” continues to be https://homegardenandhomestead.com/. I started the website because I have always wanted to be a magazine editor. The Internet enabled me to start an online magazine without needing much “seed” capital (pun intended) and without having to move to New York. I have been delighted and gratified by the public reaction to the website.

My goal is to expand the reach of the website, expand the HG&H YouTube channel, and perhaps launch a Home Garden and Homestead TV show. Anything I can do to encourage people to garden interests me. The mission statement of my company is this: “We make the world a better place, one home and one garden at a time.”

Ok super. Let’s now shift to the main part of our discussion about creating a successful garden to grow your own food. Can you help articulate a few reasons why people should be interested in making their own vegetable garden? For example, how is it better for our health? For the environment? For our wallet?

Growing food in your backyard — or in containers on a patio or balcony — makes sense is so many ways. Where do I begin?

The simple act of planting a seed and nurturing it from a seedling to a mature plant lets you participate in the miracle of life that makes this planet unique. You get to experience the cycle of life — how a seed becomes a plant, and how that plant creates new seeds for the next generation of plants.

Growing food is essential to human life on Earth. It has been said that agriculture — the act of growing food — is what made civilization possible. Ten thousand years ago, when nomadic humans decided to settle down and start growing their own food, they changed Planet Earth forever. We have literally been reaping the benefits ever since.

In the modern 21st century world, growing food makes more sense than ever. Gardening in and of itself is a healthy endeavor. Growing plants makes us mentally and physically heathier. There is nothing healthier for a human body that eating locally grown, organic food. Growing homegrown food is wonderful for the environment, because no fossil fuels used for shipping or production. And once you get the hang of it, growing your own food is an act of financial independence. It’s a win-win-win proposition every way you look at it.

Where should someone start if they would like to start a garden? Which resources would you recommend? Which plants should they start with?

Start with the easiest plants to grow. What turns novice gardeners into lifelong gardeners is success. It doesn’t take much success to get the process started. Sometimes all it takes is a couple of ripe tomatoes. The flavor of a ripe, homegrown tomato has turned more people into gardeners than anything else.

Seriously, if your only experience of what a tomato tastes like is the hard, orange tomatoes from the supermarket, you are missing a real treat. A vine-ripened tomato is one of Mother Nature’s masterpieces. The taste of your first homegrown tomato can change your life.

All it takes is a few minutes of online research to decide what to plant in your garden. Google “easiest vegetables to grow.” Then pick a couple of veggies that you like to eat. Lettuce and spinach are great choices for beginners. Peppers and squash are, too. And there’s a really good reason why tomatoes are America’s favorite backyard crop. A tomato plant is easy to grow, it’s prolific, and homegrown tomatoes taste divine.

Can you please share your “5 Things You Need To Know To Create A Successful Vegetable Garden To Grow Your Own Food”? If you can, please share a story or example for each.

Know your climate. To grow a successful vegetable garden, you must know your climate. That’s true no matter where in the world you garden. In the United States, knowing your climate begins with knowing your USDA climate zone. (If you don’t know your zone, Google it.)

The USDA zone for your location will tell you when your average last frost date is in the spring and when your average first frost date is in the fall. The number of days between those two dates is the length of your growing season.

Why is this important? The majority of vegetable garden plants are not cold hardy. They die (or are damaged) when temperatures drop below freezing (32 degrees F.) So, you can only grow vegetables in your garden when there’s little or no chance of frost.

Know the difference between cool and warm season vegetables. Once you know the basics about your climate, then you need to learn the basics about the vegetables you want to grow. Many edible plants can be grouped into two types: cool season vegetables and warm season vegetables. Cool season veggies include peas, broccoli, kale, cabbage, lettuce, and spinach. Warm season vegetables include tomatoes, melons, squash, peppers, and corn.

As a beginning gardener, I planted cool season crops at the beginning of the gardening season and grew warm season crops later (well after the last frost date). Then, when I became more experienced, I also planted some cool season varieties at the end of summer. These thrived as the days cooled off in the fall.

Pick the best garden spot on your property. Most vegetables grow best in a spot that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight a day. So don’t put your vegetable garden underneath a big tree where it’s shady. And in hot climates, your vegetable garden plants are not going to be happy with hot, baking afternoon sun. So don’t try to grow vegetables next to a wall that’s in the hot sun all afternoon.

Then, make your soil better. Add organic fertilizer. Add compost, which increases the soil’s ability to retain water. Your garden will be successful if you create the most conducive conditions for growing healthy plants.

Examine your garden every day. The best way to become an expert gardener is to observe your plants. Notice when the leaves start to wilt. Then water those plants. Look for the first arrival of insect pests. A few insects can be easily removed by hand or washed from your plants with a stream of water from a hose. But hundreds of insects is an infestation, which usually requires a pest control treatment. (Always start with the least toxic approach.) If you are observing your plants every day, you almost never have to deal with a full-blown infestation.

Grow what you like to eat. There is no point in growing vegetables you don’t like. (Unless you’re growing it for someone else who does like it.) I must admit to growing a few vegetables I really don’t like. I don’t like hot chile peppers (but my wife does). I don’t like cantaloupe, but I didn’t know just how much I don’t like cantaloupe until I grew a bumper crop and got sick of eating them. Now I only grow the veggies I love to eat.

What are the most common mistakes you have seen people make when they start a garden? What specifically can be done to avoid those errors?

Often, beginners plant too many seeds or starter plants. They don’t know just how many cherry tomatoes one healthy plant can produce. Another mistake novices make is starting with a garden space that is too large. It is better to grow a successful small garden than to fail at a larger garden.

Another bit of advice: follow the planting instructions on the back of the seed packet. Remember that seedlings become small plants, and small plants become large, mature plants. Leave plenty of space between your starter plants and seeds. Trust me, the plants will fill in the open spaces — and crowded plants don’t produce as much food as properly spaced plants.

What are some of the best ways to keep the costs of gardening down?

Growing from seeds is best way to grow a vegetable garden on a budget. A packet of seeds is a very small investment, and each packet contains dozens of seeds. A seed packet usually costs just a few dollars. You might get 50 squash plants to grow from a single packet of squash seeds.

Compare this to starter plants. When you buy vegetable starter plants, you get a “jump start” on your vegetable garden. The commercially started seeds were planted in a greenhouse. The plants are already several weeks old when you buy them at a garden center or big box store. But this convenience costs you in dollars. The price for a single pepper or cucumber plant can be $5 or more (depending on the size of the plant). It can be very costly to use transplants to grow a large vegetable garden. And some plants — such as lettuce and spinach — don’t always transplant well. You’re better off sowing these seeds directly into your garden.

The primary exception to the Grow from Seeds Rule is tomato plants. Tomato seeds require a long growing season to go from sprouts to mature, fruiting plants. Unless your growing season is really long (USDA Zone 8 or higher), growing tomatoes from seed probably isn’t an option. Even the pros start their seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before their last frost date. So, it’s OK to buy a few tomato plants. Heck, that’s how I got started as a vegetable gardener. But I never buy the really big tomato plants for $25–35. I buy the $5 tomato plants. Tomato plants grow incredibly fast once the weather warms up. After a month in the garden, a $5 tomato plant and a $30 tomato plant look the same.

You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

Let’s start a “Plant a Seed” initiative with the goal of teaching every child on Earth how to plant a seed and successfully grow a plant. Those of us who have been gardening for years might forget just how powerful it is to get a seed to grow the first time you do it.

Growing a seed and nurturing a plant teaches you how to care for another living thing. It makes you feel good. It makes you feel proud. In a subtle way, it teaches you about empathy for others. It is a “real world” skill that requires a person to get away from a video screen and do something constructive.

Then, after a child has had the “Plant a Seed” experience, I think we should encourage them to attend after-school classes to teach elementary school kids about gardening. The more urbanized and high-technified we become, the more important it is to teach basic skills about the natural world.

True story: When I lived in Albuquerque, one of my volunteer projects as a Master Gardener was to visit second grade classes and talk about seeds. In a one-hour session, I showed them different kinds of seeds and asked them to guess what kind of plant each seed would grow. I planted a seed in a cup, and then in an “abracadabra” fashion I revealed the plant that grew from the seed. The kids were always amazed. Then, every child got to plant a sunflower seed or bean seed in a cup of dirt and take it home. I’d like to think I helped “plant the seeds” for a whole generation of new gardeners. That’s why I think a universal “Plant a Seed” program would be good for kids — and good for the planet.

Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)

I would love to have lunch with Sir Paul McCartney. Yes, I was a major Beatles fan as a kid. But what interests me most about Sir Paul is he seems so normal. He has been one of the most famous people on the planet for over 50 years, but he still seems so down to earth. I would love to know how he has managed that. Plus, just after the Beatles broke up, he moved to a farm in Scotland to be with his wife and kids. How great is that?

I think Paul and I could have a nice lunch and he could tell me about his life — in and out of the public eye. Then we would take a walk through his garden, and we’d talk about our favorite plants.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

Start by visiting https://homegardenandhomestead.com/. We post new stories several times a week about all aspects of gardening. We cover everything from how to grow specific vegetable varieties to organic pest control. We even have a whole library of stories that review cordless electric power equipment.

Then check out the Home Garden and Homestead pages on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram. We also have a Home Garden and Homestead channel on YouTube and a store on Amazon.

Thank you so much for the time you spent on this interview. We wish you only continued success and good health.

Thank you! It was fun talking with you!

Randy Schultz of HomeGardenandHomestead: 5 Things You Need To Know To Create A Successful Vegeta was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Social Media Stars Making a Social Impact: Why & How Broadway Actor Justin Schuman Is Helping To Change Our World

An Interview With Edward Sylvan

I believe that ‘human’ is not just a noun, but is also a verb. And if it’s a verb, then it’s something we can continue to hone and learn to do better. The way any one individual humans best can only be defined by them, but I do think the commonalities involve authenticity, deservingness, ease, and happiness. And if I can, in any way, be a part of the change that I feel coming then I have to show up.

As a part of our series about leaders who are using their social media platform to make a significant social impact, we had the pleasure of interviewing Justin Schuman.

Justin is a Broadway actor (Tina: the Tina Turner Musical), owner of his own headshot photography studio (Jshoots), a content creator across multiple platforms, and a Human Creative Director, helping people human better every day. A TED speaker, with a following of over 200k across multiple platforms, he empowers people to break out of their boxes and practice authenticity in a conscious and purposeful way. Graduate of Northwestern University, based in NYC, you can find him on all platforms @JustinSchumanOfficial

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

The pieces of this puzzle only recently became clear to me. I’m a Broadway actor who is also an entrepreneur…and while those paths might seem unrelated, in reality, all actors are basically their own CEOs. From the time you get into this business, it’s clear that no one is going to carve out a space for you but YOU. So, you need to be smart, diligent, stubborn, and patient…it’s hard work and timing.

Part of my journey included starting my headshot photography business in 2015. I knew I had a passion for photography, and I also knew I wanted to live a lifestyle that I couldn’t afford unless I made money doing something aside from performing while pursuing this dream. My photo company, at least for the moment, is called Jshoots…not Justin Schuman photography. That’s an essential part of this story.

My coaching/consulting business, originally called just human well, was born out of the pandemic. I hoped that I could help people with my listening skills and ability to create compassionate spaces. I was again, hiding behind a brand name.

While both ventures were successful, I was hitting this ceiling. I felt like I wasn’t connecting with the right audiences, and my dream clients didn’t know I existed. So, after being on TikTok for a month or two, I ditched the idea of hiding behind names that weren’t my own and claimed my name, Justin Schuman, loudly and proudly.

And just recently, it all clicked. I am here to help people lean into the very deservingness I wasn’t willing to explore myself. I show up these days as a version of myself that I needed six or so years ago. And when I stopped hiding and embraced the idea that I matter and my voice is worth being heard, not only did my social media presence grow in a very big way, but my audience and clients started finding me.

I work primarily with content creators, CEOs, startup founders, and business owners who are not only hungry for an authentic social media presence but feel stuck in the process of zooming in on exactly the story they want to tell.

I do not champion the idea of niching down, though I know many who swear by it. Instead, I ask people to be willing to explore the idea that what they have to say and share is and will be inherently specific because THEY are intrinsically specific. So, I post under the large umbrella of Justin Schuman, where I discuss everything from entrepreneurship, Broadway, practicing authenticity, and monetizing a passion to 6-figures.

I’m finally taking up space in a way I’d never dreamed of when I started my photography business, and I help others be themselves loudly in their lives.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began this career?

I got to give a TED talk! At the time of this interview, I am a week out from giving it but I believe by the time of publishing it will have already happened. I am beside myself with excitement and cannot wait to share what I have to say with everyone.

I will say that the talk is largely inspired by what I’ve learned by being a content creator on social media. I believe that social media might be a perfect tool for exploring our authenticity and prompt self-discovery in a very real and meaningful way. And while the talk didn’t COME from having a social media presence it did come from me having the confidence to show up as an incredibly honest and revealed version of myself while applying. And that version of self is absolutely born out of the space I’ve learned to take up by showing up on social.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

I don’t always put “funny” and “mistake” in the same sentence but let me think for a second! I don’t think this is particularly funny but it was definitely the most telling mistake I made (and I made it several times.) When you’re starting a new venture it’s very easy to want to look everywhere for information, validation, and help. Oftentimes you’ll turn to “experts” or people you’ve looked up to and they’ll come to you with very specific and pointed advice. Well, I made the mistake of perhaps asking too many people, too many times for their thoughts. This inevitably steered me away from following many of my own impulses, especially in the beginning of this journey. I don’t mind laughing at some of these instances now because they all ultimately became learning opportunities but I can say with 100% surety I am far happier with the decisions I’ve made based on my gut instinct rather than what people told me I should do.

You have been blessed with success in a career path that can be challenging. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of failure?

I think if you feel the prospect of failure to be daunting I would ask you…”When did you decide you were going to fail?”

I think that if you give too much weight to the possibility that whatever venture you’re pursuing could be a failure then at least a small part of you believes that failure is possible.

I have decided that failure is simply not an option. Does that mean everything always goes perfectly? 1000% no. But, I use every single opportunity when things go in a way I didn’t expect to learn, and shift, and grow. And in that way, nothing is ever a failure so much as an opportunity to pivot and move forward with new knowledge.

So my words of advice would include redefining what “failure” means, and looking at it as a continued opportunity for growth and not a daunting negative that would prevent you from starting something you believe in and enjoy.

Ok super. Let’s now jump to the core focus of our interview. Can you describe to our readers how you are using your platform to make a significant social impact?

Happily! My social media presence is dedicated to helping people human better.

I believe that ‘human’ is not just a noun, but is also a verb. And if it’s a verb, then it’s something we can continue to hone and learn to do better.

The way any one individual humans best can only be defined by them, but I do think the commonalities involve authenticity, deservingness, ease, and happiness. And if I can, in any way, be a part of the change that I feel coming then I have to show up.

The change I feel approaching is one where we celebrate authenticity, honesty, and muchness above all else. We’ve been through too much in the last several years and the collective exhaustion we’re all experiencing is at an all-time high. I don’t think anyone has the energy these days to put up a false front or waste time on performing a version of themselves that is built on fear of what others may think and people-pleasing.

I believe we are all entitled to a place where we can practice how we human and experiment with different versions of ourselves so we can show up in a conscious and chosen way. One tool for doing this is social media. So on my platform, I talk a lot about how using social media can not only help answer the question “Who am I?” but also helps people focus on “How DO I?”, which allows them to step into the practice of being their authentic selves in a much more active way.

Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted by this cause?

I am adamant about maintaining the privacy of my clients, so without giving away too many details, I can share that on more than one occasion I have worked 1:1 with some content creators that most readers would recognize. Often, the reason they come to me is they’ve been showing up for so long — with the pressure of such large followings — they feel they’re now playing a version of themselves that doesn’t feel authentic. Frequently, this comes out of having some initial success with a certain type of content piece only to feel the pressure of recreating it, or having niched down early in their social media life only to feel pigeon-holed and burnt out by it all.

My 1:1 sessions are one hour long and they really end up being a mix of personal branding, authenticity content strategy, storytelling, and therapy. The work is really deep because the things keeping these creators hidden are often versions of self they’ve been performing for such a long time that they’ve become habit, so it’s important to really explore, identify goals, and see what’s keeping them from achieving all that they want.

This process, by the way, looks very similar for my CEO clients. It’s anyone in a position of high-visibility that feels like they’ve lost themselves after having eyes on them for so long.

Was there a tipping point that made you decide to focus on this particular area? Can you share a story about that?

As a Broadway actor, I’m able to inhabit roles written and created by others. As a photographer, my job is to capture the best authentic version of others. As a coach, I have the ability to help people see the roles they have created for the outside world and work toward crafting the personal satisfaction they are craving and deserve It’s hard to BE yourself and SEE yourself at the same time. I’m there to SEE you so you can focus on BEING you.

I can’t isolate one particular story that demonstrates this because it was made clear to me so many times. I can’t tell you how many headshot sessions turned into partial branding/career/therapy sessions. I believe strongly in my ability to know a person very deeply and very quickly. Because of this, I am able to show up for people and make them feel at ease, allowing them a space to land thoughts they haven’t previously verbalized or allow ideas to come to them that had been muddy until then.

Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?

Oh wow! Absolutely.

1. Cut your box open ASAP — this has to do with the idea that so many people are walking around hiding things in their box that other people have made them feel shame about. This manifests in people living small versions of themselves built to please others based on the fear of their real selves being seen. If we all continue to walk around in boxes we’ll never really SEE each other and we’ll also continue starving for meaningful connection.

2. Mental health/wellness/mindset education in schools — this one feels aggressively obvious to me. So much so that I cannot believe it hasn’t already happened. If emotional wellness and mindset management were implemented into school curricula I feel like kids would grow up with so many techniques the previous generations don’t/didn’t have.

3. Normalize individuality and authenticity. Celebrate uniqueness. Everybody has characteristics that set them apart, and we can appreciate and applaud those instead of deriding them and encouraging conformity. I’ll show you my weird if you show me yours — and we’ll all be a whole lot happier being ourselves and knowing we have the space and comfort to exist that way rather than hiding our gifts.

What specific strategies have you been using to promote and advance this cause? Can you recommend any good tips for people who want to follow your lead and use their social platform for a social good?

I work very hard to nurture a real bond between myself and my community, based on them seeing me and me seeing and reacting to them. While vitality on social might feel good, and it might get many eyes on your content/message quickly, it can be fleeting if an authentic foundation isn’t present.

Great change can take time, and I am playing the long game. If I plan to make any real and lasting change, this cannot be (nor has it ever been) just about views and dollars.

People need to hear things several times before it even starts to resonate or sink in. So, don’t feel like you’re being repetitive and don’t feel like your audience is going to get bored. With algorithms and how fast platforms move these days, there’s a chance that some of your content won’t even be seen by many of your followers. Take your time. Craft your message. Let your message evolve. Lean on your community and let them lean on you. Form a real relationship with the people who respond to you and what you say and you’ll have the most valuable resource there is: genuine connection and true influence.

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.

1. You don’t have to niche down — this is a lesson where social media is concerned but the message behind it is also applicable on a much larger scale. When you jump on social media and begin to create content very quickly you’re going to be met with noise/feedback from certain accounts claiming that the only way to grow on social is to pick one thing incredibly specific to post about, identify your ideal target audience, and create only for them. Not only is this a surefire way to guarantee burnout, but it also effectively eliminates any chance of your audience actually getting to know you. You are too vast, too complex to be boxed in like that. Why create from the outside-in and reduce yourself to a label?

2. It’s never too early to invest in yourself — you will never regret the money, time, and energy spent investing in yourself. An investment in yourself is a downpayment on every single dream you hope to make come true. That expert you want to work with who can help you accomplish your goals faster? The piece of equipment you need that will make your home business 10x more efficient? The new suit you’re going to buy for the job interview? All worthwhile investments in self that will bring you more returns than you even know. You are your single best investment.

3. When you love what you do for work it’s very easy to lose your balance — Of course, it’s a goal that you love what you do to make money. But if you’re lucky enough to monetize a passion or be in a job that you genuinely love,it can sometimes be hard to remember that there is life outside of work. I find this is something that I still struggle with. I’m not very good at taking time off from work, and not only because I enjoy productivity. But because I enjoy everything that I do so much, I don’t often feel like I should need a break because it doesn’t usually feel like work. Don’t neglect the other parts of your life. They’ll inform both your work and your personal satisfaction outside of work, making your world that much richer and more interesting.

4. Imposter syndrome isn’t real — what I mean by this is that, with love and respect, we are ALL faking it. You just learn to fake it better and better until your faking has become doing. When you feel like an imposter it is something only you are seeing. The only way people around you will ever think you don’t belong is if you telecast to them that YOU don’t believe it first.

5. Everything didn’t make sense at one point — before I started my social media journey and sharing the idea of human as a verb I was told by so many people that while the idea was ‘cute’ and ‘interesting’ it was too difficult to understand. You can’t build a brand or a business on a concept that isn’t easily understood, apparently. Well, I’m going to disagree with that as I’m quickly turning my business into a 6-figure venture, and the social account nears 200k followers. Everything, at one point, didn’t make sense until someone was passionate (and stubborn) enough to shout it loudly and explain it patiently until it became clear.

You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

I believe the idea that ‘human’ is a verb has the potential to change the world. If we consider how we human to be something worth leaning into and practicing, and then take it a step further by creating SAFE spaces for people to feel like they can do this exploration, we will be promoting self-discovery and expansion in a very real way.

I am suggesting social media as one viable option for this self-discovery and exploring, but imagine if there were actual places you could go to meet others who are possibly on a journey just like you. You could share experiences, make adult friends, work through things in community, and feel SEEN. So many people don’t even believe they are worthy of doing this work because they think they don’t deserve to take up space. The antidote to that is giving them the experience of really being seen for who they are. That’s a scary ask so there needs to be trust, integrity, and safety built into these spaces. But giving people a place where they can practice how they human could change the world.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

I’ve always enjoyed the phrase that “anything worth doing is worth overdoing.” I think it’s important that we follow our impulses, whether it be that little tiny whisper telling you to do something or a download you get from the universe. You can take the quote at face value or you can read into it more deeply to mean that the things you think you should do/go for you should with 1000% of the full force of your being. I believe if you’re going to commit and say yes to something then you should be willing to dive headfirst into it. I suppose it brings up another life lesson quote that lives in a very similar land — “If it’s not a f — k yes, It’s a f — k no.”

Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)

I am a big fan of Bethany Frankel. We’re both New Yorkers and absolutely cut from the same cloth. I find her honesty and humor incredibly refreshing. And paired with her business acumen and philanthropy (as well as being an awesome mom) she’s an amazing role model. She also did an article recently on how her ‘overnight success’ was years in the making and I fell in love all over again.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

The best way to follow me online is on TikTok and Instagram! My handle on both is @JustinSchumanOfficial

This was very meaningful, thank you so much!

About The Interviewer: Growing up in Canada, Edward Sylvan was an unlikely candidate to make a mark on the high-powered film industry based in Hollywood. But as CEO of Sycamore Entertainment Group Inc, (SEGI) Sylvan is among a select group of less than ten Black executives who have founded, own and control a publicly traded company. Now, deeply involved in the movie business, he is providing opportunities for people of color.

In 2020, he was appointed president of the Monaco International Film Festival, and was encouraged to take the festival in a new digital direction.

Raised in Toronto, he attended York University where he studied Economics and Political Science, then went to work in finance on Bay Street, (the city’s equivalent of Wall Street). After years of handling equities trading, film tax credits, options trading and mergers and acquisitions for the film, mining and technology industries, in 2008 he decided to reorient his career fully towards the entertainment business.

With the aim of helping Los Angeles filmmakers of color who were struggling to understand how to raise capital, Sylvan wanted to provide them with ways to finance their creative endeavors.

At Sycamore Entertainment he specializes in print and advertising financing, marketing, acquisition and worldwide distribution of quality feature-length motion pictures, and is concerned with acquiring, producing and promoting films about equality, diversity and other thought provoking subject matter which will also include nonviolent storytelling.

Sylvan has been featured in Forbes, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and has been seen on Fox Business News, CBS and NBC. Sycamore Entertainment Group Inc is headquartered in Seattle, with offices in Los Angeles and Vancouver.

Social Media Stars Making a Social Impact: Why & How Broadway Actor Justin Schuman Is Helping To… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

An Interview With Martita Mestey

It is important to be flexible. Things will go wrong, it is bound to happen. What’s important is how you respond when things do.

As part of On “Chefs and Restaurateurs Helping To Promote Healthy Eating”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Lena Kwak.

Lena Kwak is a culinary strategist, food innovator, former Research & Development Director at three-starred Michelin restaurant- French Laundry, Co-founder and former CEO of Cup4Cup, and Co-Founder of Starday Foods. She has been recognized as a rising food entrepreneur for her work in brand and product development, with 12 years of food and beverage CPG experience. Lena has been honored as one of Forbes “30under30”, Zagats “30under30”, Martha Stewart “American Made” Award Honoree, and named by Fortune Magazine as one of the most innovative women in Food + Wine.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to ‘get to know’ you a bit. Can you share with our readers a story about what inspired you to become a restauranteur or chef?

Being surrounded by a family of artists, I was born and raised around creativity. Art, in all forms, whether ceramics or cooking was the way my family expressed their love and care for one another. I was inspired to become a chef because it was a way for me to connect with others and express my love for them through food.

Do you have a specific type of food that you focus on? What was it that first drew you to cooking that type of food? Can you share a story about that with us?

When we think about the types of food we design, we like to think of the person — and most people are busy and don’t have the time to cook. All of our products at Starday are convenient, tasty yet healthy. There’s even an element of what’s going on with our climate — all of our products are plant-based and see through that lens; looking at Gooey, which doesn’t have palm oil, addresses deforestation.

Can you share the funniest or most interesting story that has happened to you since you started? What was the lesson or takeaway you took out of that story?

Of all the dishes I’ve cooked for family and friends over the years, the one I get the most compliments on that they remember time and time again is the simplest one. When I was on a camping trip with some friends, I made everyone avocado toast with kimchi on top. To this day everyone still raves about it. It’s funny because as a chef you would expect it to be a dish that takes hours to prepare and isn’t easy to execute, but it was the combination of two simple items that got everyone so excited. I think that’s the key to a successful dish, combining comfort and indulgence with a twist and it’s a winner.

None of us can be successful without some help along the way. Did you have mentors or cheerleaders who helped you to succeed? Can you tell us a story about their influence?

My mother has also been a hard-working professional, and typically in the Korean culture, we aren’t overly expressive with our emotions. Growing up, food and cooking was the way I felt emotional love from my mother and the way she expressed it. Expressing love and care is bread into my culture, and my mother is the one who influenced my desire to get into cooking and sharing food with others.

In your experience, what is the key to creating a dish that customers are crazy about?

If you mash together two unfamiliar items that people wouldn’t think would go well together, it is more often than not, a huge hit!

Personally, what is the ‘perfect meal’ for you?

Personally, I like to eat quite simply myself. I follow a mostly vegan or pescatarian diet. I love raw crudité, especially fennel because it aids in digestion. My perfect meal would consist of salmon as it is high in Omega threes, whole grains most likely in the form of quinoa, and lightly cooked greens with a sprinkle of ALL DAY Poppin or Boom.

Where does your inspiration for creating come from? Is there something that you turn to for a daily creativity boost?

Being part of a family full of artists, I draw inspiration from different mediums of art. I love playing around with flavor, texture, and color theory to explore different compositions of food. Being constantly open and flexible to what may be good works in surprising ways that allow my creativity the room to explore.

Are you working on any new or exciting projects now? What impact do you think this will have?

I can’t give away too many specifics now, but Starday will have a handful of new brands launching throughout the year! I can say that I am really interested in gut health and how Starday products can bring a healthier lifestyle to our consumers.

Ok super. Let’s now jump to the main part of our interview. You are currently leading an initiative to help promote healthy eating. Can you tell us a bit about what you and your organization are trying to change in our world today?

Starday Foods is a data-driven umbrella company of responsible and better-for-you food brands. We launched in August 2021 with the first brand under the Starday umbrella, Gooey Snacks — bringing pleasure back to snacking by making responsible, better-for-you versions of chocolatey childhood favorites. The first Gooey product is an absurdly delicious chocolate hazelnut spread that is low-sugar, all-natural, vegan, gluten-free, and made without palm oil. ALL DAY is the latest addition to Starday’s suite of food brands focused on making home cooking easier and more satisfying with the most complete seasoning set bringing bold, complex flavors to every meal, mood, and season. All of Starday’s brands and products are developed through a lens of health and sustainability. We focus on plant-based shelf staples, and never make products that aren’t good for you and don’t taste good.

Can you tell us the backstory about what inspired you to originally feel passionate about this cause?

My background is in nutrition science and I wanted to help develop products that make both your body and taste buds happy. I love designing products with the mindset of gifting. The perfect gift isn’t something you buy for yourself, it is something that reminds them they are truly seen and you understand who they are as a person.

Without saying specific names, can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was helped by your cause?

The other day, I received a comment about our ALL DAY spices. The consumer said “cooking in itself doesn’t make me happy, eating does. Using ALL DAY makes cooking fun for me and makes me even more excited to eat.” Knowing Starday brands make people feel more empowered to express themselves in the kitchen and that people are cooking on their own more brings me an immense amount of joy that inspires me to continue creating for others.

Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?

Eating is political. The most important thing consumers can do is support local farmers and businesses. Consumers get to define and influence businesses and policies around food by the choices they make. It is important to consider what values you want to see when you go out to buy things when you are choosing what brands to shop from.

What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Started as a Chef or Restaurateur” and why? Please share a story or an example for each.

First, it is important to be flexible. Things will go wrong, it is bound to happen. What’s important is how you respond when things do. Second, is to make it a priority to have a work life balance. Burnout is real- trust me, and in order to be creative you need to have a space to feel and think so your creative energy can flow through. Third, is to remove yourself from the equation. It isn’t about you, it is for other people so focus on what they are thinking, feeling, and needing. Next, is to have self-care be a driving force. Surround yourself with things and practices that make you happy and keep you sane. Lastly, is to take a step back if you ever have a moment where your reason for drive is unclear, and ask yourself why you’re doing it.

What’s the one dish people have to try if they visit your establishment?

One of my favorite things to do is to take morning toast and switch it up. For example, topping your toast with nut butter and a sprinkle of ALL DAY Poppin or Fuego. Again, it is that mash of two things you might not think go together, but they create a combo people can’t get enough of.

Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)

I would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with Lizzo. Just as I am, she is really into plant-based eating and discovering new recipes that not only are healthy for you, but taste amazing. I’d also love to learn some dance moves from her and in exchange I’ll cook for her!

How can our readers further follow your work online?

Readers can follow my work on my website, as well as on Starday Foods, ALL DAY, and Gooey Snacks’ websites!

This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!

Lena Kwak Of Starday Foods On Chefs and Restaurateurs Helping To Promote Healthy Eating was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.