This is a good place to start!
A Chicago couple is bringing West African meals to your local Whole Foods, Black Enterprise reports.
Perteet and Fred Spencer are the owners of AYO Foods, a company specializing in West African Cuisine. Now the couple is taking their brand to the next level, brokering a deal with Whole Foods to bring frozen West African meals to the popular grocer. The husband-wife duo were inspired by the family bond created over great food. They wanted to find a way to ring that same joy to others.
“Our home has always been a gathering point for friends and family because we love the joy that is born out of those special moments together. None of these moments happen without a great meal," the couple told Black Enterprise. "As we thought about building a business together, nothing inspired us more than using our strong industry experiences to create these moments for others by sharing some of our family’s favorite recipes that were under-represented in mainstream grocery stores."
The Spencers hope their meals will be a first for many, inspiring more Americans to try classic West African dishes. The frozen meals are now available in select Whole Foods across Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, and Chicago’s Green Grocer.
“We’ve watched the explosive growth of frozen as more and more premium items transform freezer doors across America," the Spencers said. "In many instances, the source of that growth is ethnic food as people look to explore the world one bite at a time. Frozen was a natural fit as an easy way for people to experience the flavors of West Africa."
Click here to find Ayo Foods at a store near you!
Congratulations, Perteet and Fred!
Photo Courtesy of AYO Foods/Black Enterprise