Chef Joseph and I met in a Seattle restaurant that we believed in. A restaurant that after time, became our community. Since nearly all of our days were spent in the restaurant, it was our family. When the restaurant went out of business, Joseph and I lost our jobs. Heart-broken from having the wind knocked out of our sails, we were unemployed when the economy was at its worst. Our state, Washington, was home to the highest unemployment rate in the nation. Looking back at what made us tick---the food and experience that brought people together--- made us want to do it all over again.
Similar to the restaurant, we hoped to re-create a community bound together by the universal experience that good food can provide. We dug into our pockets, pooling money from waiting tables and working the line. Our savings weren't much, but it was enough to remind us what mattered most. We launched our salt partnership a month later, with 7 flavored sea salts to accentuate food and classic beverage. It gave us a sense of meaning, but more importantly, it brought us closer to a community again, only this time it was our neighborhood.
We sold our salts at our local farmers market. A market that became our home. Meeting the faces behind the recyclable totes became a second family of sorts, one that we looked forward to seeing everyday. Our customers are our friends. But they're more. They drive us to want to be better, to care, and to give back.
We're passionate about where our ingredients come from, and concerned with sourcing components that reflect sustainability and social awareness. We source as many local and organic ingredients as possible, the majority from Seattle-area farmers markets. Supporting local farmers and small-scale producers makes a difference. Anyone who says the food that we eat isn't related to the viabilities of our local communities is wrong. It is.
As long as we're in business, we'll (try our best to) give back to our community. Two months after launching, we donated salt to a program that provides unique opportunities to women of color who are faced with economic and social barriers to success. The program was such a success that it garnered enough money to support a young woman's internship at another local business. We also donated to Art with Heart, a Seattle non-profit charity that helps children and families in times of crisis. We feel lucky to be able to give back, to be a part of our community, and to have friends and customers who support us.
Today, a year later, we're still a small-scale partnership (of two people). Perhaps just a blimp on the radar. But with 13 salts to sit upon, our light still shines.
