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.

Castanet - Smart Start Meals - John Thomson Report

Thomson report
by John Thomson - Story: 36761Jan 22, 2008 / 5:00 am

Kelowna based company “Smart Start Meals" has just celebrated their first year in business in the Okanagan!

Smart Start Meals is the brainchild of the Ken and Susanne Scott, who decided there was a market for “delicious, ready to cook dinner packages delivered to your door.” It appears they were right as they now have clients throughout the Okanagan from Summerland and up to Salmon Arm.

Clients love the ease of having full meals delivered to them, with their only task being to pop them in the oven. Some spend 75% less time grocery shopping than they did before. They also enjoy cooking again and who wouldn’t if all you have to do is take your nutritious, pre-assembled, ready to cook meal from the freezer to the oven.

Smart Start Meals is a “born in Kelowna” based company that creates a variety of dinners and dinner packages to suite the customer’s needs. Clients spend 5-10 minutes on the website, select enough dinners for a week or two or even a month, and then place their order. A few days later the meals are brought directly to their door. Customers can also order by phone. The primary focus is Dinners, but the service is expanding to include breakfast, desserts, and soon appetizers!

A year ago the Scott’s were working out of rental kitchen space in downtown Kelowna. Now they have a brand new, state-of-the art kitchen any Food Network chef would be proud of. The kitchen was designed by the Scotts to suit their business needs and as the kitchen is in a separate building on the same property as their home, they get to stay close to their family.

Apart from celebrating their first year in business and their new kitchen, they are also celebrating their contract up at Big White Ski Resort. A UK based company that teaches skiing and snowboard instructor courses orders one to two times per week, every week. The Scotts get to work preparing the meals for over 30 people and then deliver the meals up to the accommodations at the ski hill.

Scott is hoping to expand his clientèle up at Big White and at all the ski resorts in the area. “It just makes sense when you are on a holiday to not have to cook, and not everyone wants to eat in restaurants all the time, especially if you are staying in a condo or chalet with kids and have a beautiful kitchen to use” says Scott.

Link: Smart Start Meals

Media Release - Smart Start Meals

MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Ken Scott DATE: January 16, 2008

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

THEY’VE GOT A NEW KITCHEN, SO WHAT’S COOKIN?

Kelowna based company “Smart Start Meals" has just celebrated their first year in business in the Okanagan!

Smart Start Meals is the brain child of the Ken and Susanne Scott, who decided there was a market for “delicious, ready to cook dinner packages delivered to your door.” It appears they were right as they now have clients throughout the Okanagan from Summerland and up to Salmon Arm.

Clients love the ease of having full meals delivered to them, with their only task being to pop them in the oven. Some spend 75% less time grocery shopping than they did before. They also enjoy cooking again, and who wouldn’t if all you have to do is take your nutritious, preassembled ready to cook meal from the freezer to the oven.

Smart Start Meals is a “born in Kelowna” based company that creates a variety of dinners and dinner packages to suite the customer’s needs. Clients spend 5-10 minutes on the website, select enough dinners for a week or two or even a month, then place their order. A few days later the meals are brought directly to their door. Customers can also order by phone. The primary focus is Dinners, but the service is expanding to include breakfast, desserts, and soon appetizers!

A year ago the Scott’s were working out of rental kitchen space in downtown Kelowna. Now they have a brand new, state-of-the art kitchen any Food Network chef would be proud of. The kitchen was designed by the Scott’s to suit their business needs, and as the kitchen is in a separate building on the same property as their home, they get to stay close to their family.

Apart from celebrating their first year in business AND their new kitchen, they are also celebrating their contract up at Big White Ski Resort. A UK based company that teaches skiing and snowboard instructor courses orders one to two times per week, every week. The Scott’s get to work preparing the meals for over 30 people and then delivers the meals up to the accommodations at the ski hill.

“Its great to be recognized by an overseas business that is operating here in Canada,” says Scott. “Our service also provides the perfect way to make dinner time easier after an exhilarating day on the slopes. Just go online, or call us, and order what you want. We do all the advance preparation, package the dinners, and bring them up for you to use when you need it. Cooking doesn’t get much easier than that.”

Scott is hoping to expand his clientele up at Big White and at all the ski resorts in the area. “It just makes sense when you are on a holiday to not have to cook, and not everyone wants to eat in restaurants all the time, especially if you are staying in a condo or chalet with kids and have a beautiful kitchen to use” says Scott.

The majority of Smart Start Meals clients are double income families with kids, or couples who realize that meal time is important but not at the expense of running themselves ragged. “These people are also tired of restaurant eating and fast foods on a regular basis”. “This way the family still gets a home cooked meal, and it’s ready in a short period of time with no prep work,” says Scott. “Family meal time is important, but you can only eat so much take out food when you’re a busy family.”

For more information on Smart Start Meals go to www.smartstartmeals.ca or call 869-7678

-30-

Homes for the Holidays - Smart Start Meals

The Rotary Centre for the Arts is pleased to announce that this year's Homes for the Holidays event raised $42,432 in support of Community Programming at the RCA. We would like to thank all of the generous supporters and sponsors who made this year's event such a success.
The 8th Annual Homes for the Holidays dazzled all who attended. Individuals touring the homes had the opportunity to visit some of Kelowna's most beautiful and unique homes, each brought to life for the holiday season by some of Kelowna's most talented interior decorators.
The event showcased some of the city's finest talent in entertainment and design. Each location was adorned with in its own unique décor. Highlights of the tour included the striking Cannery Lofts Penthouse with its modern black & white theme. Guests were also intrigued by the décor found within the Woodland Hills home which featured a majestic chandelier created from delicate white boughs, small lighted accents tucked away in each corner and a gentleman's garage stocked with Harley Davidson motorcycles and accessories.
For those searching for a more traditional holiday atmosphere, the Hedeman Court home tucked away in the Kettle Valley showcased warm hues, sinks filled with velvety rose petals and the entire home adorned with fresh greenery. Similar to this style, Lindsay and Steve Fenwick's home on Kloppenburg Road greeted guests with its warm glow and classy feel. Inside, the décor featured greenery, with a multitude of boughs and berries adorning the kitchen, living area and bedrooms. Lights bundled in jars illuminated rooms, accenting the deep brown and red hues of the home.
Both the Benvoulin Church and Anne Dyck's charming home on KLO Road offered something new and delightful to the tour. The charismatic church featured simplistic décor with fresh greenery intertwined with lighting accenting the time worn pews and vaulted arches. The church common was transformed into several room-scapes surrounding a magnificent Christmas tree. Tasty aromas filled the rooms as organic bite-sized treats were served on-site courtesy of Smart Start Meals.
Romance filled the air throughout Anne Dyck's precious dream home. The décor was charming, with the kitchen featuring homemade gingerbread and traditional holiday wreaths. Each room captured the essence of the holiday season, recapturing the true romance of Anne and her late husband.
The Rotary Centre for the Arts would like to thank Kelowna Mountain for their title sponsorship of this year's Homes for the Holidays event. In addition to the generous contribution made by Kelowna Mountain, the RCA would like to acknowledge all of the amazing businesses and individuals who helped create such a magical event.