In this episode of Shelling Peas, Chef Ryan Jennings sits down with Maureen Ballatori, founder and CEO of Agency 29, and a key supporter in Sweet Pea’s 2022 Grow-NY competition win. Following last week’s Grow-NY series featuring a few of this year’s finalists, we're gearing up for the 2024 Summit on November 6th & 7th. As we prepare to hear from this year’s innovators, Ryan and Maureen reflect on the challenges, pivotal moments, and strategies that shaped Sweet Pea's journey to success. Maureen shares her own entrepreneurial story, from growing up on a dairy farm in upstate New York to building a thriving food and agriculture-focused agency, offering candid insights into the power of persistence, strategic pivots, and finding work-life balance in a demanding industry.

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order! https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

Food About Town

Food About Town hosted by Chris Lindstrom, focusing on restaurants, food and drink of all kinds, and whatever topics I want to cover! https://foodabouttown.captivate.fm/

Pauly Guglielmo Show

Pauly Guglielmo is a former radio guy turned food business entrepreneur. While running a manufacturing facility is his day job, he likes to dust off his broadcasting skills once a week on this podcast and talk to entrepreneurs and other influencers.

In this final episode of our Grow-NY series, Shelling Peas host Chef Ryan Jennings of Sweet Pea Plant Based Kitchen sits down with Dr. Tali Feldman Sivan of Meala Food Tech. They discuss Meala’s innovative technology, which transforms plant-based foods by using clean-label, functional proteins to replace artificial binders and additives traditionally used for texture and consistency. The conversation addresses the challenges artificial additives present in processed foods, and explores the wide-ranging applications of Meala’s technology in products from plant-based meats to ice creams, sauces, and more. Dr. Feldman Sivan also shares how being a Grow-NY finalist is accelerating Meala’s journey to expand in the U.S. and beyond.

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order! https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

Pauly Guglielmo Show

Pauly Guglielmo is a former radio guy turned food business entrepreneur. While running a manufacturing facility is his day job, he likes to dust off his broadcasting skills once a week on this podcast and talk to entrepreneurs and other influencers.

Food About Town

Food About Town hosted by Chris Lindstrom, focusing on restaurants, food and drink of all kinds, and whatever topics I want to cover! https://foodabouttown.captivate.fm/

This next episode in the Grow New York series features a conversation with Ethan Holmes, the CEO and co-founder of Holmes Mouthwatering. Ethan shares the inspiring story of how he turned a family applesauce recipe into a successful business, starting as a teen in 2008. Now a finalist in the prestigious Grow New York competition, Ethan talks about the challenges and triumphs of his entrepreneurial journey, the impact of the competition on his company, and his ambitious plans for the future. Tune in to learn about his unique products, community initiatives, and the strategic growth that took Holmes Mouthwatering from local stores to Walmart shelves.

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order! https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

Food About Town

Food About Town hosted by Chris Lindstrom, focusing on restaurants, food and drink of all kinds, and whatever topics I want to cover! https://foodabouttown.captivate.fm/

Pauly Guglielmo Show

Pauly Guglielmo is a former radio guy turned food business entrepreneur. While running a manufacturing facility is his day job, he likes to dust off his broadcasting skills once a week on this podcast and talk to entrepreneurs and other influencers.