Susan Smith is ready for a fresh start. After shuttering the Plan Shop Live Kitchen in Maryville, Illinois, she returned to her roots and rebranded her business as Smart Eats Meal Prep.
Owner Susan Smith.
Designed to help patrons eat healthier without sacrificing quality, Smart Eats Meal Prep features a grab-and-go model of meals prepared with natural ingredients. These signature dishes, also available in low carb and vegetarian options, are available for pick up on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Smith, who also owns The Speakeasy Parlor with her husband Bobby, earned her culinary degree at L’École Culinaire. Her decision to pivot her business model is due to several factors. “This past year the economy has been crazy with the cost of labor and increased food prices,” she says. “We make everything from scratch. Whenever you’re making things fresh with no preservatives, the cost can be high.”
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Smith also notes that her goal for Smart Eats Meal Prep is to bring great tasting, home-cooked meals to a community where dining in is not always a convenient option.
Smart Eats Meals Prep from Susan Smith.
She experimented with her new business plan during the pandemic when local restaurants were struggling. “We were able to survive during COVID because we were already set up with to-go boxes,” she says. “It was easy for folks to get a quick meal. We thrived through that, but it made me think about getting back to my start when I had a smart jar company. That was my entry into the meal prep world.”
“Thinking about that period made me reconsider my options,” she continues. “Now, I have the kitchen. I have a bigger space. I can grow my business. We also collaborate a lot, and I like to bring products in from local vendors.”
Smith’s dedication to making from-scratch, healthy meals is personal. “My journey away from processed food began after I had gained a lot of weight and was having a lot of issues,” she says. “I got into working out and lost a lot of weight. This led to me becoming a personal trainer, and I enjoyed it. However, along my own journey, I eventually realized that the food I ate, mostly comfort food, was keeping me from losing weight. So, I started eating healthier.”
The culmination of her experiences shapes Smart Eats Meal Prep. Seeing the need for elevated comfort food, Smith got the ball rolling by getting certified in nutrition. Knowing that her neighbors wanted to be healthy without giving up the food they loved, she launched her pre-cooked meal selection and increased pickups to two days a week.
The feedback from Maryville residents and nearby communities has been positive. “People are excited about Smart Eats Meal Prep,” she says. “Because of our location, people can come in and grab what they need for the week. They also like that I bring a lot of different flavor profiles into it.”
Looking to the future, Smith hopes to add salads and a wider selection of sides. She also hopes to expand the dinner menu at The Speakeasy Parlor, which is located just a few doors down. “With Smart Eats Meal Prep, I want people to understand that this is how we are supposed to eat,” she says. “These are the portion sizes you’re supposed to take in. I think [it’s important that] people realize non-processed food is healthy food. At the end of the day, the biggest compliment I get from those who eat [my food] is when they say it’s good for them: It tastes good, and they feel great.”
Smart Eats Meals Prep, 2719 N. Center St., Maryville, Illinois, planshoplive.com
