As many of us are homeschooling our kids or managing their hybrid school schedules along with our own work day, we’re all scrambling in the mornings. Breakfast is undoubtedly the most important meal of the day as our kiddos are breaking their fast of 12 hours of sleep beforehand. So we want to give them foods that are satiating and nourishing.
Today, we’re talking to a female and mom founder, Emily Groden, who’s helping make breakfast a little easier and a lot healthier. Her company is called Evergreen and they specialize in waffles.
Evergreen, features miniature waffles made with 100% whole wheat, no refined sugar or dairy, and flavored only with fruits, vegetables, nuts or spices. Varieties include banana peanut butter, mixed berry almond, matcha chocolate chip, zucchini and carrot, and pumpkin and pecan. The products are available to purchase online and in Whole Foods stores throughout the Midwest.
As a working mom, Emily Groden needed a quick and easy breakfast for her toddler, but was not willing to sacrifice quality, nutrition, or taste for convenience. Launched in early March 2020, Evergreen frozen waffles are made with 100 percent whole wheat flour and flavored only by real fruits, vegetables, nuts and spices – without refined sugar, dairy, or preservatives.
While Emily originally created Evergreen for her own family, she is now on a mission to clean up the frozen waffle category. Carried in more than 45 Whole Foods Market locations across the Midwest and counting, Evergreen is rapidly growing a loyal base of health-conscious consumers who appreciate the clean ingredients, nutritional benefits, and delicious flavors.
From day one, Emily has focused on embedding philanthropy and social responsibility into her brand’s DNA. Evergreen currently makes monthly contributions to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and ongoing food donations to the Common Pantry in Lakeview, a nonprofit dedicated to combating hunger and food insecurity in Chicago neighborhoods.
Prior to founding Evergreen, Emily served as General Counsel for The Alinea Group, owner of the only 3-Michelin Star restaurant in Chicago, and Tock, an industry-shifting reservation platform. Before her pivot into the hospitality industry, Emily practiced law at Kirkland & Ellis as a corporate associate focused on mergers and acquisitions and worked for Analysis Group, an economic consulting firm in Boston.
A lifelong athlete with a passion for food, Emily was a Division I swimmer in college, is an Ironman finisher and Boston Marathon qualifier, and a recipient of the Level I and Level II Awards in Wines through the Wine & Spirit Education Trust.
Emily graduated cum laude from Yale College and Harvard Law School. She currently lives in Chicago with her husband and daughter Riley, Evergreen’s number one fan.
Meet My Guest:
- WEBSITE: EatEvergreen.com
- INSTAGRAM: @eatevergreen
- FACEBOOK: /eatevergreen
- LINKEDIN: Emily Cole Groden
Press
- FORBES: Chicago Startup Evergreen Shaking Up The Frozen Food Industry Beginning With Waffles
- FOOD BUSINESS NEWS: Clean-up in the frozen breakfast aisle
Mom Haul:
- PELETON: Peleton Bike and Workouts Streamed Live & On-Demand
- AMAZON: Instant Pot
Promo Code:
- EVERGREEN: Use my code MOMSENSE20 to receive 20% off your order at www.eatevergreen.com
