Wellness not only refers to your overall sense of well-being, but also focuses on the importance of self-care. Because of this, Noozhawk is proud to offer our Wellness Guide!
This guide is here to provide our readers with the best resources to improve their wellness practices. Noozhawk has conducted a series of interviews with local wellness practitioners and businesses.
In this interview, Noozhawk spoke with Andrea Slaby, Chief Operating Officer of Organic Soup Kitchen to learn more about their services.
Organic Soup Kitchen
Question: What is the name of your business or practice?
Answer: Organic Soup Kitchen
Q: Can you describe what services or products your business or practice offers?
A: Since 2009, Organic Soup Kitchen has specialized in making delicious, clean organic soups for increased energy and vitality. As a nonprofit, every soup you purchase directly supports vulnerable seniors and cancer patients in our community. It’s the soup that gives back.
Q: What makes your business or practice unique?
A: We are the only authentic, organic food supplier for those with cancer and chronic illnesses in this country. While other prepared food suppliers exist, no one else is handcrafting organic, nutrient-dense meals and delivering them to people’s homes.
Our organization’s mission is in direct alignment with several of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) set forth by the United Nations Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) policy. These goals include Zero Hunger, Good Health and Wellbeing, Quality Education, Responsible Consumption and Production, Climate Action and Partnership for the Goals, which we use to measure our progress.
Our years of experience, coupled with our established model, has earned us the trust of agencies throughout the public health sector. We continue to work hard to foster strong connections with other organizations aligned with our mission. Through the additional expansion of our distribution partnerships, we will reach residents who may not otherwise have access to nutrition and food security.
Q: Do you have testimonials with past clients that you can share with our readers?
A: Testimonial #1- “When someone is going through chemotherapy, they need healthy and nourishing food more than anything, but part of the time they don’t have the physical and mental energy to get up and do it for themselves. Organic Soup Kitchen does it for them with so much love and care! They work tirelessly in rain or shine to make sure that all their clients get their nutritious soup on time. I feel so blessed and privileged to be a small part of this gem of an organization in our community! I joined hands with them a few years back and I am happy to say that I am here to stay and support this wonderful organization in the years to come!”
Deborah
Santa Barbara, CA
Testimonial # 2- “I am a caregiver for a dear friend whose Breast cancer has Metastasized, Stage IV, to her bones and elsewhere. I first made contact with the Organic Soup Kitchen via email to Andrea Carroccio, Chief Operating Officer. Andrea was very helpful in providing application and program information in a friendly and professional manner. These organic soups and the multitude of recipes provide life sustaining nutrition to cancer and other seriously ill patients. And they are delicious. With the focus to provide this invaluable service to low income patients as well as others who are recipients of the Organic Soup Kitchen soups serves a noble purpose.The friend that I care for and myself express our gratitude and thanks beyond measure to Andrea, her staff, drivers and volunteers for the life saving work they do. And they do it with love. The Ridley-Tree Cancer Center of Santa Barbara lists the Organic Soup Kitchen as a valuable nutritional resource for patients and caregivers to consider.
I recommend to anyone who is looking to make a charitable contribution to a local non-profit look no further than the Organic Soup Kitchen. Your contribution will help many people. Thank you Organic Soup Kitchen!”
Gary Villalba
Santa Barbara, CA
Q: Who is a good candidate for your type of treatments and/or services?
A: Everyone! Our soup meals are meant to energize and nourish anyone looking to improve their health and wellness; however, we craft our soups for those who have cancer, chronic illness, heart disease, Alzheimers, etc. in mind.
Q: What information do you normally obtain before taking on new clients?
A: We ask clients to fill out our intake form for low-income Cancer and Chronic Illness Recovery and Prevention Program.
Q: What are your normal business hours? Are you available to clients on the weekend?
A: We are open Mon-Fri 9 am to 1 pm at 126 E Haley St, Suite A4 in Downtown Santa Barbara. We are closed on the weekends.
Q: What is the price range? Do you offer package deals?
A: Our prices vary from $15 to $50. We offer 21 oz soup containers and 64 oz (half gallon) bags. We offer additional discounts through our low-income Cancer and Chronic Illness Recovery and Prevention Program.
Q: Is there anything you would like to tell our readers that was not mentioned above?
A: Our approach is unique in a couple different ways. First, we operate an organization that prioritizes not only what is best for people but also for the planet. Our commitment to source and serve organic ingredients stems from a deep belief, backed by research, that organic food not only benefits the long term health of people, but it also supports the sustainability of our planet. In 2022 we shifted from plastic to earth friendly biodegradable paper packaging. And, our robust zero waste food rescue program salvages thousands of pounds of organic produce each month from local farms increasing the resilience of our agricultural system, regenerating soil health and contributing to the local food economy.
Secondly, we are uniquely positioned as a social enterprise. We have an opportunity to sell our soup meals to healthy individuals which supports our Cancer and Chronic Illness Recovery and Prevention Program.
Click here to learn more about Organic Soup Kitchen!