ALL working mums will be familiar with the scenario: it’s been a long stressful day in the office and you arrive home to a hectic household complete with hungry kids and an empty fridge.
What do you do?
Phone for a pizza? Or maybe reach into the freezer for a ready meal?
Although you know neither of these options will give your kids the nutritious meal you’d like to serve, the thought of driving to the supermarket then beginning the slow task of peeling and chopping seems too tiring to contemplate.
One Lancashire mum knows the feeling all too well.
And that’s why she has launched her own business — Adams’ Very Clever — which aims to make healthy eating quick and easy for working mums.
Lindsay Moores, 51, who was born and bred in Burnley, and now lives in Whittle Springs, Chorley, worked full time whilst raising her two children Ben, 22, and Becky, 18.
“I was always rushing around, working full time and looking after my kids, and I always relied heavily on my own home-made soups because they were healthy and so convenient,” she said.
“As a busy person who is also health aware, I needed something fast and filling, but also healthy.
“The only problem was that often due to time constraints I often didn’t have the soup available when I most needed it.
"And unfortunately there was nothing on the market which met my criteria for something fresh, healthy, and ready in three minutes.
"Then one day I realised that there were many people out there like me who wanted the same.
"So I decided to create my company to make life easier for busy mums.”
When Lindsay’s daughter left home for university last autumn, she was able to dedicate her time to pursuing her dream.
After enlisting the help of nutritionist and an experienced chef Lindsay created three flavours of ‘main meal’ chunky soups using ingredients selected not only for their taste, but also for their nutritional content and value: chunky vegetables with wholewheat pasta and fresh herbs; Mediterranean vegetables with lentils, spinach and basil; and spicy bean with sweet potato, chunky vegetables and coriander.
“When the kids left home I wanted to do something with my business training to address this problem,” said Lindsay who has a business degree and has worked in marketing and advertising for Princes Foods and Crown Paints.
“I felt I could fill a gap in the market,” she added.
From the outset Customer feedback was overwhelming and Lindsay reckons initial sales are encouraging.
In June this year she was awarded the North West Fine Foods soup of the year award.
“The name of the product — Adams’ Very Clever — refers to the product itself,” said Lindsay.
“It’s clever because it meets so many needs. One 500g pot counts for three of your five a day, and it’s so versatile that you can use it as a base for fish or meat.
"It can freeze and it microwaves in three minutes.
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