Smart Start Meals - 2nd Year Anniversary!

Media Release

- For Immediate Release -

Contact: Ken Scott Date: February 2, 2009
Email: ken@smartstartmeals.ca Phone: 250-869-7678/1-877-286-3257

Save money, and enjoy great food and convenience - Can it be true?

The economic downturn has certainly affected most of us. Not so to one smart company whose clients are money, time and health savvy.

Smart Start Meals has just celebrated its second year anniversary and co-owner Ken Scott continues to be busy. “We help people eat better, and they save time and money,” says Scott. “Many of our regular clients tell us that Smart Start Meals saves them up to $200 per month. When you factor in less gas for driving to pick up groceries, less impulse buys and less waste, it really is a smart way to go.”

There’s also the time factor. Scott explains. “Our clients save not only money, but also time in driving to get groceries – because ordering from us is so simple and we deliver to their door. There’s also the preparation aspect. Since the food is ready to cook, preparation is quick and easy. There’s also minimal cleanup giving clients more time to themselves and their families.”

At first it might seem that having someone prepare your meals, package them into the size you need and deliver them to your door would be cost prohibitive. Not so says Scott. “We have excellent relationships with our suppliers, and get great pricing on quality foods, which in turn is passed on to our clients. Depending on the dinner “package” chosen, a typical Smart Start Meals dinner for 4 costs around $24.90. That’s only $6.25 per person – delivered to your door.”

It’s a price that is hard to beat, especially when you consider that Smart Start Meals now uses natural meats and adds no preservatives to any meals.

They also provide vegetarian meals and custom meals such as gluten free, lactose free , etc., on request.

Smart Start started as a way to help people eat better with convenience, ease and variety. They have evolved their offerings and can prepare meals for 2, 4 or six servings. They also expanded to include breakfast, lunch, appetizers and side dishes.

“Our client’s now include everyone from busy families, professionals, vacationers at Big White to seniors or people recovering from surgery and new moms,” says Scott. “We help people get balanced nutrition while they spend time on their family, careers and hobbies.”

An added bonus is you can even send delicious meals or gift certificates to friends, family or business colleagues. The service is available from (Oyama to Summerland, Big White, and all points in between). For more information e-mail info@smartstartmeals.ca or call 250-869-7678. Visit http://www.smartstartmeals.ca/

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Smart Start Meals - Beyond 50 Magazine Featured Recipe

Recently, Smart Start Meals was featured in the fall 2008 issue of Beyond50 magazine with a salad recipe we often use at home.

We often recommend a salad with fresh veggies as an accompaniment to our dinners. The recipe is attached - Try it!

The “Very Good Salad” Recipe

1/2 c slivered almonds
1 ½ Tbsp sugar

- Sautee almonds and sugar over medium heat stirring often until sugar has melted and almonds are candied. Set aside and allow to cool.

1 head romaine lettuce, chopped or torn
1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped or torn
1 bunch green onions, diced
2 stalks celery, sliced
1 can mandarin oranges, drained

Toss ingredients in a large salad bowl.

Dressing

¼ c oil
2tbsp sugar
2 tbsp vinegar
2 tsp soy sauce
1 tsp parsley

Combine in a sealable container and shake well to mix.

Just before serving, pour dressing over salad, add the candied almonds and toss!

Smart Start Meals - Fall 2008 Menu & The Kelowna Winter Sports Show

Smart Start Meals Fall Menu 2008 is now available online. Click here to view.

With kids going back to school, busy work schedules, and hectic evenings, let us make meal-time easy …

… Plan ahead for your busiest evenings with a Smart Start Meals Dinner package.
We’ve launched some new selections, as well as some very popular old favorites. !

A Sample of our Fall Dinner Menu Items:
Chicken Cacciatore
Italian Crockpot Chicken Breasts
Rosemary Balsamic Salmon
Vegetarian Oriental Black Beans and Mushrooms
Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Mega”
Click here to view more…

A Sample of our “A La Carte” Menu Items:
Mini Barbeque Meatball “Sliders”
Orange Ginger Glazed Organic Baby Carrots
Sesame Broccoli
Click here to view more A La Carte Items Online..….

The Kelowna Winter Sport Show – 2008
Smart Start Meals will be at the Winter Sports Show Sept 13th and 14th, at the Kelowna Curling Club (551 Recreation Avenue). The winter sports show is the biggest ski equipment swap in the Okanagan!

We will be showcasing our service for winter vacationers, giving out food samples from our Fall & Winter Menus, and will have some special offers that weekend only!

Be sure to drop by for a taste, say hello, and check out all the other fantastic exhibitors (and great deals on ski equipment).

Reminder – Recycle your Ziplocs!
Just a reminder that all Smart Start Meals Ziplocs and instruction labels can be re-used or recycled (do not re-use Ziplocs that contained meats or fish). Simply remember to wash and rinse Ziplocs to reuse in your own home, or rinse them and include in your weekly recycling pickup.
As always, Smart Start Meals welcomes any questions or comments! Please e-mail info@smartstartmeals.ca, or call 869-7678. We’d love to hear from you!
Cheers !

Ken & Susanne
info@smartstartmeals.ca
www.smartstartmeals.ca
250-869-7678
1-877-286-3257

Castanet - Smart Start Meals - Smart Meals go a long way

"Smart meals go a long way"
by Rachael Kimola - Story: 38476Apr 5, 2008 / 2:00 pm

A local company has donated a lot of meals to Okanagan food banks. Smart Start Meals recently finished a two-month long charity fundraiser which benefited food banks in Kelowna, Westside and Lake Country. Ken Scott of Smart Start, says for every prepared meal they sold, a ‘twin meal’ was donated to a local food bank. “This is the first time we have done this and we are really happy with the results. It was originally going to run just for the month of February, but it was working so well we extended it to the end of March. We donated nearly 150 meals to food banks,” says Scott. He says the idea to partner with food banks came up last December. “We are often approached by local charities and we thought working with food banks would be a good partnership for us. About 80% of the donated meals went to Kelowna, with 10% going each to Lake Country and Westside.” Scott says Smart Start Meals puts together ready-to-cook, pre-ordered meal packages and delivers them to clients throughout the Okanagan. “For every dinner package a client ordered during the event, whether an existing client – or a new one – Smart Start donated a similar meal, pre-packaged, frozen and ready to be used by the food banks however they see fit.” He says due to the successful run of the event, they are planning to do it again this fall.
Link: Smart Start Meals website

Castanet - Smart Start Meals for food banks

Smart meals for food banks
by Rachael Kimola - Story: 37048Feb 3, 2008 / 3:00 pm

A local business has decided to help out local food banks.

Smart Start Meals has decided to match every client’s meal purchase with the donation of an equivalent sized meal to the nearest food bank.

Ken Scott of Smart Start Meals says the dinner packages will go to the Kelowna Community Food Bank, Westside Community Food Bank, and Lake Country Food Assistance Society. “Most of us don’t know how far reaching our donations can go. These food banks do more than just hand out food to people who come to their door. For example, dinners donated to the Kelowna Community food bank may be transported by them to Kelowna's Gospel Mission, who in turn prepare dinners for up to 170 people,” says Scott.

He says each location has a freezer and cold storage space, and they all have outreach programs to people who will benefit from ready-to-cook dinners.

"What we do gives us a perfect opportunity to help the food banks and the programs they provide. We believe our clientèle will fully support this program." Scott says Smart Start Meals puts together ready-to-cook, pre-ordered meal packages and delivers them to clients throughout the Okanagan.

“For every dinner package their clients order in the month of February, whether an existing client – or a new one – Smart Start will donate a similar meal, pre-packaged, frozen and ready to be used by the food banks however they see fit.”

Scott says that clients can specify which food bank their “twin” meal should go to, or just leave it to Smart Start Meals and the dinner will go to the food bank nearest to the client.
Link: Smart Start Meals website

Media Release - Smart Start Meals - "Helping feed those in Need"

CONTACT: Ken Scott DATE: Feb 1, 2008

PHONE: 250-869-7678 EMAIL: ken@smartstartmeals.ca


“Helping Feed those in Need”

Ask anyone at any of the local food banks and they’ll tell you that this cold weather puts a greater demand and hardship on those less fortunate in our communities.

Ken Scott of Smart Start Meals has decided to help out. For every dinner package his clients purchase, Smart Start Meals will donate an equivalent sized dinner to the food bank in that community.

Smart Start Meals dinner packages will go to the Kelowna Community Food Bank, Westside Community Food Bank, and Lake Country Food Assistance Society.

“Most of us don’t know how far reaching our donations can go. These food banks do more than just hand out food to people who come to their door. For example, dinners donated to the Kelowna Community food bank may be transported by them to Kelowna's Gospel Mission, who in turn prepare dinners for up to 170 people,” explains Scott.

Scott has been in touch with local food banks and his generous donations are perfect for this time of year. Each location has a freezer and cold storage space, and they all have outreach programs to people who will benefit from ready-to-cook dinners.

"What we do gives us a perfect opportunity to help the food banks and the programs they provide. We believe our clientele will fully support this program," says Scott.

Smart Start Meals puts together delicious, ready-to-cook, pre-ordered meal packages and delivers them to clients throughout the Okanagan. For every dinner package their clients order in the month of February, whether an existing client – or a new one – Smart Start will donate a similar meal, pre-packaged, frozen and ready to be used by the food banks however they see fit.

Scott says that clients can specify which food bank their “twin” meal should go to, or just leave it to Smart Start Meals and the dinner will go to the food bank nearest to the client. There is no cost to client. Meals can be ordered online at www.smartstartmeals.ca, and the desired food bank location can be entered in the “comments/requests” field, or call 869-7678.

Things have been going well for the Scott’s and Smart Start Meals. They recently celebrated their 1st anniversary, have had a tremendous increase in their customer base here in the valley, and recently were featured in “Breaking News” and “The Village” section on www.bigwhite.com. Smart Start Meals offers delivery of dinner packages to guests staying in lodging at Big White, which gives guests a convenient easy way to provide a delicious meal in the comfort of their chalet or condo.

“We just want to give something back,” says Scott. “And this is the best way we can do it.”

For more information on the Smart Start Meals and their food donation project please call Ken at 869-7678, visit www.smartstartmeals.ca, or e-mail info@smartstartmeals.ca

Straight From DeHart - Smart Start Meals

Max DeHart - January 23rd 2008

“Smart Start Meals” owned and operated by Ken and Susanne Scott is celebrating their one year anniversary. Smart Start Meals are delicious, ready to cook dinner packages delivered right to your door and the business has grown extensively throughout the whole Okanagan Valley. It’s great to have full meals delivered to your door with the only task being to pop them in the oven. One year ago, the Scott’s were working out of rental kitchen space and now they have a brand new state-of-the-art kitchen on the same property as their home. They now also deliver to Big White. Cooking doesn’t get much easier than this. You can view all the meals (including dessert), their nutritional value, cooking instructions and pricing on their website at www.smartstartmeals.ca or call 869-7678. You can order on line or by phone.