Introduction
The journey of creating Comida Fresca is a testament to blending flavours with wholesome and healthy ingredients. The inspiration behind Comida Fresca stems from a deep-seated passion for creating nutritious and delicious food. Working professionally for over 25 years and experiencing the hectic schedules of working individuals, there emerged a need for providing ready-to-eat healthy salads with a blend of superfoods, available off-the-counter. The name Comida Fresca, which means fresh food in Portuguese, reflects the mission to offer fresh, ready-to-eat Mediterranean and Asian salads. These salads feature a perfect blend of flavours, fresh wholesome ingredients, and superfoods, meeting all protein and nutrient requirements in one bowl.
Motivation Rooted in Childhood
The motivation to start a business focused on healthy and organic food has its roots in a childhood spent on a farm. This early life provided the privilege of eating organic, home-grown fresh food daily. Access to a wide variety of millets and grains, which were a staple in everyday meals, fostered a deep appreciation for nutritious eating. However, moving out for work presented a challenge, as the convenience of junk food overshadowed the use of such healthy ingredients. The desire to bring back these forgotten superfoods with a gourmet twist drove the creation of Comida Fresca. India’s rich variety of millets and grains, although no longer in fashion, presented an opportunity to reintroduce this treasure to modern diets.
Business Philosophy
The core philosophy of Comida Fresca centres around providing fresh, ready-to-eat salads packed with flavour, wholesome ingredients, and superfoods, all hygienically prepared to ensure no compromise in quality. The goal is to help people change their lifestyle with utmost convenience, making healthy eating accessible and enjoyable. To ensure the freshness and nutritional value of the food delivered, ingredients are bought just prior to preparation. Seasonal and local produce is procured from local vendors and farmers’ markets, adding to the flavour and nutritional content. Maintaining a complete temperature-controlled environment from preparation to delivery ensures that the product reaches customers in the best possible condition.
Service Details
Comida Fresca specialises in Mediterranean and Asian salads with fresh homemade dressings. Each salad is composed with the right millet paired with the right vinaigrette, along with a combination of fresh fruits, vegetables, and greens, creating a riot of flavours. With more than 30 different salads to choose from, new flavours are added regularly based on seasonal availability, ensuring a dynamic and exciting menu. The Mediterranean diet options offered by Comida Fresca are popular among customers for several reasons. Firstly, the convenience and customization options cater to diverse preferences. Secondly, the innovation in recipes keeps the menu interesting. Most importantly, the Mediterranean diet is known for being healthy and balanced. Vegan, gluten-free, rich in fibre, and featuring the most flavorful dressing options, this diet is easy to follow. Customers report feeling light, energetic, and cleansed, making it a comprehensive healthy detox.
Ingredient Sourcing
Sourcing ingredients is a critical aspect of the business. The focus is on quality over quantity, with most ingredients sourced from farms around Goa. Farmers’ markets are frequent stops to gather as much seasonal produce as possible. Ingredients are bought fresh only on the day of preparation, ensuring maximum freshness and flavour. Local produce plays an extremely important role in menu offerings. Goa’s bounty of fresh produce, combined with exotic dressings, results in mind-blowing flavours. This approach not only enhances the taste of the dishes but also supports local farmers. The goal is to bring local farmers into the limelight, showcasing the forgotten flavours of childhood that have become exotic in urban cities.
Customer Engagement
Interacting with customers and receiving feedback is crucial for Comida Fresca. The personal connection and how the product makes people feel are of utmost importance. Creating a flavour with love and passion leads to a thrilling experience for customers, often evoking memories or surprise. Feedback is mostly received through social media, and it is incorporated into the menu regularly, with tweaks and improvements based on customer input. This encouraging feedback serves as fuel for the business, driving continuous improvement. Several customer success stories stand out, highlighting the impact of Comida Fresca’s offerings. Initially, many customers were reluctant to eat only salads for a meal. However, once they tasted the power-packed salad bowls, they were motivated to adapt to a healthy lifestyle. These salads have helped people battle weight problems and the emotional strain that comes with it. Customers have reported feeling lighter, cleansed, detoxed, and happier after incorporating Comida Fresca into their diets.
Health and Nutrition
Promoting a healthy lifestyle involves collaboration with nutritionists and dieticians to curate the menu. This collaboration ensures that each dish not only tastes great but also meets the nutritional needs of customers, providing balanced and wholesome meals. Comida Fresca incorporates a variety of superfoods into its meals, each offering unique health benefits. Millets like Jowar, Bajra, Kodo, Ragi, Barnyard, and Quinoa are staples. A variety of kidney beans, local black-eyed beans, chickpeas, and black gram provide protein. Nuts such as almonds, walnuts, cashews, and peanuts add essential oils and nutrients. Seeds like melon, pumpkin, sunflower, and flaxseeds contribute vitamins, making each meal balanced, easy to digest, and full of fibre. Special touches like Indian Gooseberry and green apple dressing or Moringa and Fenugreek leaves enhance immunity, providing an added health boost.
Challenges
One of the biggest challenges in running Comida Fresca has been changing the mindset of people. Salads were traditionally considered boring, but the team at Comida Fresca has managed to shift this perception and will continue to do so. Logistics presented another significant challenge, particularly delivering all over Goa. However, with sheer determination, long hours, and grit, these challenges were overcome, ensuring that customers receive their orders in a timely and efficient manner. Starting the business in 2023, post the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, presented unique challenges. However, the lessons learned during the pandemic have been invaluable, shaping future strategies and ensuring the business remains resilient and adaptable.
Future Aspirations
Looking ahead, Comida Fresca has ambitious plans for expansion and diversification. The aim is to make monthly salad subscriptions a household affair. Additionally, there are plans to diversify into hot and cold soups, as well as establish salad bars throughout the town, making healthy eating even more accessible. Customers can look forward to new menu items and features in the coming months. With the onset of monsoons, Goa will be brimming with fresh produce. Expect the most humble of these vegetables and greens to be transformed into their most exotic avatars, adding new and exciting options to the menu.
Community Involvement
Comida Fresca actively engages with the local community in several ways. The business provides jobs to the woman community and helps farmers showcase their produce, fostering a sense of community and support. Although specific partnerships with local gyms or wellness centres were not detailed, the focus on community involvement suggests potential collaborations that could further promote a healthy lifestyle within the local community.
Personal Insights
Beyond running Comida Fresca, personal interests and hobbies play a significant role in maintaining balance. Describing herself as a food artist, the creativity and innovation involved in the culinary arts are both enjoyable and satisfying. Additionally, as a self-trained naturalist and keen bird watcher, there are personal pursuits that provide relaxation and fulfilment outside of work. Managing a busy food delivery service while balancing personal life is undoubtedly hectic. However, the support and encouragement of her husband have been instrumental in achieving this balance. Behind this successful woman is a man whose support has been crucial, making it possible to manage all aspects of life effectively.
Conclusion
The journey of Comida Fresca, from its inception to its current success, is a testament to the power of passion, dedication, and innovation. With a focus on providing fresh, wholesome, and flavorful ready-to-eat salads, the business has managed to change perceptions about healthy eating. Overcoming challenges and continuously striving for improvement, Comida Fresca is poised for a bright future, with plans for expansion and diversification. By engaging with the local community and staying true to its core philosophy, Comida Fresca continues to inspire and promote a healthy lifestyle, making nutritious eating both accessible and enjoyable.
