You are the mission

“When are you going to sell your products at the grocery store?”

Every week we get some version of this question from our customers. It would seem normal that a food company would want to sell its products where people buy…well, food.

But the thing is, we’re not a food company.

Don’t get me wrong, we make food products. In fact, I have learned infinitely more than I ever imagined was possible about the process to formulate recipes, procure high-quality ingredients, safely and consistently manufacture, package, store, and ship food. But still, we’re not a food company.

If we were a food company, I imagine our mission would entail some sort of market strategy to place ourselves on the shelf next to other premium, non-GMO, gluten-free products. We would probably focus on what pleases the buyers from Target, Whole Foods, or Costco. Outsourcing customer service to some call center and moving manufacturing to the lowest bidder, regardless of final product nutrition or quality would end up being part of the bargain.

But the thing is, we don’t want to build relationships with the buyers from Target and Costco! We want to build relationships with YOU, and with the thousands of other customers that are prioritizing their health through small but sustainable choices in food.

Did you know that we celebrate how many lives we’ve changed at every important meeting in our company? From weekly leadership meetings to monthly company-wide meetings, we begin by reviewing how many customers have experienced a health benefit from using Step One Foods.

At Step One Foods your health is our mission. That’s not just a catchy slogan. That’s our north star. We exist to help you put nutrition at the very center of your health and healing journey. We exist because we think the way our health care system treats heart disease today (still the #1 killer, by the way) focusing mainly on medications that keep your numbers “healthy” and then recommending a little side-dish of “diet and exercise” is completely backwards.

If we were just a food company, we wouldn’t spend so much time making sure you got the information you needed from us (whether via this blog or from our customer care team) — even if it has nothing to do with our products. Yes, we sell food — because it’s the easiest way for us to help you put the nutrients you need into your body —but our goal goes far beyond that. We also want to empower you with knowledge.

I imagine some of you who are reading today’s message have never even purchased our products. Yet you are still here to learn how changing your diet can help improve your health. And that’s just fine with me, because you are still helping us fulfill our mission!

I’ll never say never to the idea of Step One Foods at the grocery store. After all, I do understand that for many of you, it would fit into your weekly routine and might even make it more convenient to choose our products over those that claim to be “healthy” but really aren’t.

But if we were going to be for sale on the shelf at retail stores, the scenario would have to look something like this:

1. We would still able to connect with our customers individually to give support, advice and be able to celebrate their success stories.
2. We would have to be displayed in a new aisle that goes beyond “health food”, and requires that every product in that section backs up their health claims with verifiable, peer-reviewed scientific research, not just fluffy marketing buzzwords.
3. Our company would already be a household name, known to help lower cholesterol rapidly, effectively and without side effects. This would ensure our customers understood how to fully commit to a 30-day program and measure their results before and after using Step One Foods.

That last one is where you can help our mission and carry it forward. By talking to your friends, family, and most of all doctors about how our food is a clinically proven, safe, and viable option to help treat high cholesterol you can help us grow our community and change more lives.

My goal is that every doctor prescribes food to their patients as the first step in managing cholesterol — even if just for those people who can’t or are reluctant to take statin drugs.  Frankly, a dietary prescription should be the first step for EVERY condition where targeted nutrition support could have an impact.  With your help in spreading the word we can get there!

Thank you for supporting our mission and carrying it forward. We truly do exist to help and make a difference. And as we move into December, on behalf of all of us at Step One Foods, I send you our best wishes for the happiest – and healthiest - of holiday seasons ahead.

Warmly,

Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC