Food for Thought
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 08/02/2022 (482 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Food For Thought is not part of a chain, just a one-and-only standalone catering service which has been in business almost 22 years.
Melanie Rushton has been sole owner and proprietor for those 22 years. When I asked if she was related to Joyce Rushton, she said she was and wondered how I knew Joyce.
It turns out that Joyce — or Mrs. Rushton, as I knew her, was my Grade 7 teacher many years ago at Virden Junior High School. And she was also Melanie’s grandmother. Small world, indeed!
I asked Melanie how she was surviving the COVID-19 pandemic and if she has had to lay off any employees .
“Yes, I had to lay off a couple,” she said. “But I needed them back as our frozen food line grew fast due to Covid,” which is a fact we can all easily understand in these times.
Her business name is catchy and unique, and I told her so, to which she replied: “Yes, it is very catchy, part of the reason I chose it.”
Food for Thought used to regularly cater group meals to clients and businesses but Melanie said that, since the beginning of the pandemic, many of them have tried their line of frozen meals and now order them regularly.
I asked if she had any plans to move or expand and learned that Food for Thought started out on Main Street and moved to 840 Erin St. about eight years ago.
“This location is serving us well. It is nice and central for our customers, and a good base for our citywide delivery service,” Melanie explained, adding that “if the frozen food line continues to grow, we will consider expanding.”
I asked if there was anything else she wanted to add or that she thought needed mentioning, which gave her an opportunity to give me a rundown of what Food for Thought has to offer.
“We have a large variety of meals available, like roast chicken dinner, pot roast, turkey dinner, lasagna, soups, desserts and much more. We cook all the meals ourselves and are proud to say they are very low in fat, sugar, and sodium. They are for anyone who needs a healthy, home-style meal.”
Clients can call 204-772-3663 to order, or order online at www.foodforthoughtcatering.ca or www.foodft.ca
Food for Thought delivers citywide or you can pick your orders up curbside at 840 Erin St.
Before she signed off, Melanie recalled one thing she wanted to be sure to mention:
“I started the business 22 years ago with my grandfather in mind. My grandmother had passed away and I was really concerned about what he would be eating. He was a farmer and was always used to having healthy, home-cooked meals. He enjoyed our meals until the age of 96! Sadly, he passed away last year.”
Weldon Rinn lives, writes, and enjoys living in St. Vital. He can be reached at weldonrinn2@gmail.com
Weldon Rinn
St. Vital community correspondent
Weldon Rinn lives, writes, and enjoys living in St. Vital. He can be reached at weldonrinn2@gmail.com