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In Kids & Family
Yum Yum Snacks brings organic food to the family table
 
By Molly Snyder Edler RSS Feed
OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writer

E-mail author | Author bio
More articles by Molly Snyder Edler

Published Nov. 4, 2005 at 5:11 a.m.
Tags: organic, beans & barley, riverwest coop, healthy eating, vegetarian, outpost, yum yum snacks, joelle lefevre

Healthy eating is a goal most parents have for their kids, but often, inconvenience and expense get in the way of their good intentions. Recently, registered dietician Joelle Lefevre and her sister, Mindy Dorff, started an on-line business called Yum Yum Snacks that makes organic eating easier for families on the go.

The one-stop virtual grocery store features organic food (with an emphasis on snacks) and meal accessories. There is also an allergy section for parents who have children with food allergies and intolerances. All of the food available on the site is free of high fructose corn syrup, preservatives, hydrogenated/trans fat, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), artificial colors and artificial flavors.

Lefevre admits that eating organically is more expensive. In some cases -- such as meat -- organic food is 100 percent more costly than non-organic eats. However, Lefevre feels it's possible if parents make a commitment to eating well.

"When it comes to our children, as parents we spend hundreds of dollars on activities, clothes, games, education and so on, but what we need to do is take a portion of that money and invest it into our children's health," she says.

Organic food is pricier because it costs farmers more to cultivate fields and feed livestock to meet organic standards. It's also a supply and demand issue. Lower demand for organic food drives prices higher to cover costs. As people become more educated, and organic eating becomes more popular, prices will inevitably come down.

For now, Lefevre has a few suggestions for parents who want to eat healthier, but are on a fixed food budget.

Cut back on junk and fast food. It takes time to maintain health, and if parents create time to make a meal plan and a grocery list of healthy snack items, it's less likely they will resort to drive-thrus and frozen pizzas.

"Take the time to get back to eating fresh and whole foods that aren't so processed," says Lefevre.

Buy organic sale items. Buying just the organic foods that are on sale at your neighborhood grocery store will barely, if at all, increase your grocery bill. Most regular grocery stores now offer a small organic section, and are always promoting certain organic items.

Commit to buying organic milk. Organic milk is hormone-free and higher in omega-3 fats, which are important for brain development in young children.

All of Yum Yum Snacks' products are taste-tested by Lefevre, Dorff and their kids. The sisters and their families live in the Oconomowoc/Delafield area.

"Meal and snack times should be healthy, but also tasty and fun. We are just two Midwest moms trying to make a difference when it comes to feeding children," she says.

Yum Yum Snack's Web site is yumyumsnacks.com.

10 comments about this article.
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OMCreader Denise said: thank you for the great snacks and tasty treats,( that really are ...
OMCreader Marcy said: Hi, Joelle! We used to work together at St. Mary's! Good for you ...
OMCreader Just wondering... said: How many carcinogens ARE in blonde hair dye? More importantly, ...
OMCreader Lisa Smith said: I commend our Yum Yum Sisters on a wonderful job helping an ...
OMCreader lisa said: I've known Joelle and Mindy for years. When it comes to healthy eating, ...


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