About Us
At Nourished Palate, we're on a mission to transform school lunch. Despite the growing popularity of organic farming and regenerative agriculture, children across America are still being exposed to an overwhelming amount of junk food. Every day, children are eating school lunches that are highly processed, high in refined carbohydrates, and devoid of nutrients (e.g. grilled cheese sandwiches, mac & cheese). Our children deserve better!
At Nourished Palate, we're raising the standards by cooking lunches that are truly healthy and delicious. We specialize in slow-cooked meals like soups, stews, and braises, as well as fan favorites like traditional Italian pasta and Spanish paella. All of our lunches are cooked from scratch in our kitchen every morning using fresh, organic ingredients sourced from local farms. We never use processed seed oils (aka vegetable oils), refined sugar, artificial colors, artificial flavors, preservatives, or additives. We're not just preparing food for children, but doing it the right way, so our children can stay healthy and thrive.
Our Mission
School lunches that are healthy and delicious can have a significant impact on children. By raising the standards on school lunch, our goal is to i) nourish children and promote health, and ii) teach children healthy eating habits.
Nourish the Minds and Bodies of the Next Generation
Proper nutrition is foundational for human health, and particularly important for children. Nutrition plays a critical role in a child's growth and development, and prioritizing nutrient dense foods will ensure children are getting enough of the nutrients they need for optimal physical and mental development. Further, there's strong evidence that the food children eat has a direct impact on how they feel throughout the day and perform in the classroom. Children who eat the Standard American Diet, which is high in processed and refined foods and low in nutrients (e.g. white bread, refined pasta), are more likely to experience mental health issues like anxiety and depression, developmental disorders like ADHD, and blood sugar dysregulation. Children who eat the Standard American Diet are also more likely to develop chronic diseases like diabetes and obesity. On the other hand, children who eat a nutrient dense, whole foods diet will experience better mental health and sustained energy, and be able to concentrate in the classroom and perform their best.
At Nourished Palate, we believe in the power of nutrition, and prioritize nutrition when developing our recipes. We use a use a variety of nutrient dense ingredients throughout our menu (e.g. grass-fed beef, root vegetables, beef and chicken stock, herbs and spices) to ensure children are getting all the nutrients they need to thrive. By offering healthy and nutritious school lunches, our goal is to not only feed children but also nourish them, so they can excel in the classroom and beyond.
Teach the Next Generation Healthy Eating Habits
We believe the best food in the world meets the following criteria: i) it's highly nutritious and ii) it satisfies your palate. In fact, we named our company Nourished Palate for precisely that reason, because we believe food that is both nutritious and delicious can have the greatest impact on children. Children who are exposed to a variety of healthy and flavorful dishes at a young age will develop a palate that appreciates high quality food and diverse ingredients and flavors. Children who develop a healthy palate, or nourished palate as we like to call it, are also more likely to seek out healthy and delicious food as adults.
When developing new recipes for our menu, we always strive to create dishes that are both nutritious and full of flavor. By emphasizing fresh, organic ingredients and traditional cooking methods like slow cooking, we’re able to create dishes with amazing flavors and high nutritional value. We also prioritize gut-healthy foods like vegetables (e.g. onions, cabbage) and fermented foods (e.g. sauerkraut, sourdough bread), because we understand that gut health plays a critical role in your overall health and well-being. By exposing children to a variety of nutritious and delicious food at a young age, we can help create healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime.
My Story
My name is Paul Borugian, founder of Nourished Palate. From an early age, I’ve always loved eating good food, but it wasn't until later in life that I came to realize the connection between food and human health. By the age of 30, I was starting to feel the effects of years of stress and a poor diet, and I knew I needed to prioritize my health. I started learning about health and what it meant to be truly healthy, and the significance of diet and lifestyle. I cleaned up my diet by eliminating low quality, processed foods and transitioning to a nutrient dense, whole foods diet. I also started spending more time at the farmers market and in the kitchen, and spent my weekends creating new recipes and learning how to cook with new ingredients. I've learned a lot throughout my health journey, but more than anything, I've gained a deeper appreciation for food, as I've come to realize the power of nutrition and its critical role in health.
In 2017, my wife (Michelle) got pregnant with our first child (Liv), and we were determined to give our baby girl a good start in life. In my research, I learned about the importance of proper nutrition during pregnancy and early childhood. I learned that nutritional requirements increase dramatically during pregnancy, so we started incorporating nutrient dense foods into Michelle's diet. After Liv was born, we continued to prioritize nutrition, and when she was ready for solid foods, we opted for nutrient dense foods like egg yolks, salmon roe, and beef liver. By her first birthday, Liv was eating a variety of foods, and because she was still at home, we were able to continue feeding her healthy meals made from scratch. Unfortunately, lunch got complicated when Liv set off for preschool. Packing a lunch for her every morning, while keeping meals healthy and delicious, was becoming increasingly challenging. Our only other option was the lunch provider at her school, but the meals they were providing weren't up to our standards. Frustrated with the lack of good lunch options, the idea for Nourished Palate was born.
I founded Nourished Palate because I wanted to share my passion for food and nutrition with the world, and use food to make a positive impact on the next generation of children. There is nothing more important than the health of our children. By offering school lunches that are truly healthy and delicious, our goal is to promote health and resilience in our community, so all children have the opportunity to pursue their passion and live their dreams.
