Welcome to my blog! This is my first entry, so hopefully it doesn’t suck. In this inaugural blog, I thought I would address a question that I have been asked over the years.
“Does Baby Greens serve organic food?”
At present date, Baby Greens does not serve organic food. The reason why is quite simple – cost. When I developed the concept for Baby Greens, I wanted the food to be affordable to the “average Joe/Jane”.
A customer once told me that people who eat organic food are used to paying more money for their food, and usually don’t mind the extra expense. I’m sure that is true. The goal of Baby Greens is to provide a healthy option for fast food customers. The average fast food meal costs between 5 – 7 dollars. The prices I was quoted for organic produce would not have allowed us to offer any options in that price range, so we offer menu items that our customers can easily afford.
Most Americans eat a fast food meal at least once a week; for many, fast food is a part of their daily routine. With these statistics, it’s no surprise that we are such an unhealthy nation. I didn’t want a trip to Baby Greens to have to be something that people had to save up to do or make a special occasion of it because of the price. Eating a healthy meal should be the great thing you do for yourself everyday, not the special treat you give yourself a few times a month.
Providing a fast food option that would be affordable, healthy and delicious was my goal. In fact all things that we do at Baby Greens come back to those three priorities: affordable, healthy, delicious. It is a large part of the foundation upon which the company was built.
But even beyond pricing, there is another issue at hand. Though I do believe that organic produce has nutritional and environmental benefits, I don’t think it’s an all or nothing situation. By that I mean, that non-organic produce is still good for you.
I created Baby Greens because I truly believe that healthy fast food needs to be an option in the marketplace. A salad or wrap from Baby Greens is a healthier option that a burger and fries combo, oversized burrito, sandwich and chips or most other typical fast food meal options.
Baby Greens’ non-organic menu options result in more people eating fresh vegetables and lean proteins, dressings and soups that don’t have added sugars or flavor enhancers. More people drinking fresh brewed iced tea and fresh lemonade, less high fructose corn syrup sodas. I think that what we are doing at Baby Greens is important. We provide another option. A healthy option that the average customer can afford. And the American consumer economy is supposed to be based on options.
And the bonus to it all is that we’re doing something positive in the community. I truly believe that healthy food makes you happy. It may sound cheesy, but it’s true. I love working the window at Baby Greens, because I see smiling, happy faces all day long. The food tastes great, and our customers don’t have the sick feeling that typical comes after most fast food meals. It’s a beautiful thing. It’s the best part of my job. I get to help people be happy for a living. And I don’t have to drive around looking for something good for lunch or dinner anymore. Not too shabby.
Will Baby Greens ever serve organic produce? Potentially. If it’s something that could be done while still providing affordable meals to our customers. At the end of the day, it’s all about making great fast food experiences for Baby Greens’ customers.
Thanks for checking out my blog. More posts to come ....
