LIFT UP LOCAL 011
Written by Marcus McKissic
📷 courtesy of Grady's Garden
At first blush it would be easy to assume that Grady’s Garden is merely a company that makes pasta sauce. Of course it would be a valid assumption as you casually grab it from the Capital City Market shelves. You may think it to be any other company as the fragrance of the marinara fills your kitchen while your family waits patiently to taste the slightly sweet tomato coulis. And as you finish off the last of your meal satisfied that you have once again created a wonderful dinner masterpiece, you may never think too much about the impact this seemingly routine purchase has on the wider world around you.
You couldn't be more wrong.
📷 courtesy of Amber Rose Photography
Grady’s Garden, while producing pasta sauces and salsas that use real, natural products with no artificial flavors or added sugars, is more than just a food company. Birthed over a breakfast conversation about how founders Chad Miller and Mike Wheeler were dissatisfied with the way corporate businesses overlooked the growing concerns behind childhood obesity, the collaborators decided to create a company that would do something about it. They wouldn't just dip their toes into this idea of social entrepreneurship, they would dive hard and fast into trying to solve one of the largest social challenges of our time. By the end of their breakfast they determined that they would do that by creating the Self Esteem Project; their own unique education venture partnering with schools to focus on education at a greater level. The plan included gathering a star studded leadership team to help reach their goals. Oh, and they would use the proceeds from that marinara that you used on tonight's feast, to fund their aims.
How does one unify a mission to end childhood obesity, with food products? The plan is to use their created cartoon of the same name, Grady’s Garden, to engage kids at a level not seen before. The show follows Grady and his friends as they embark on creating their own community garden, transforming the kids' knowledge about food and community. Grady’s Garden is lighthearted, informative and fun, all while providing kids with the tools they need to learn about healthy foods. The characters reflect children of color and are even voiced by kids attending ArTES Magnet School in San Gabriel, California.
Cartoon illustration of founders Chad & Mike, 📷 courtesy of Grady's Garden
When asked about the importance of teaching kids and fostering community, Mike Wheeler explains that it was paramount that they gathered trailblazers to ensure that they were not just headed in a random direction, but that the goals of Grady’s Garden (both the product and the cartoon) were aligned and rooted in data and excellence. So Chad and Mike assembled a team of expert nutrition scientists. And then then came Evan Gore, the cartoon’s creator, and an accomplished animation writer and producer. And lastly, they recruited “Forbes 30 Under 30” award winning animator Chaz Bottoms for animation and design. The talent that surrounded them allows them to think vertically and deliberately on how to affect change.
““Corporate America tends to foster competition and makes coworkers become adversaries. It swelters creativity. We wanted to be positive towards our employees and create a positive work environment.””
The thought and care that goes into this company is reflected in more than just that next jar of pasta sauce that you bring home. It’ll warm the kitchen with the knowledge that there is nothing but real vegetables in your favorite dish as you put it on simmer. You’ll feel a zen wash over you knowing that there are actually good businesses that are trying to improve the world and not just creating adversaries among communities. You’ll enjoy the sauce, because it is indeed tasty and aromatic. It's delightful. There is no doubt that you would assume that you may never think too much about the impact this seemingly routine purchase has on the wider world around you.
With Grady’s Garden, you couldn't be more wrong.