Every Monday, Sara Polon chops mountains of vegetables and wrestles with 50-pound bags of lentils and other fresh local ingredients and turns them into hot soups. By midweek, she delivers her product to dozens of homes and offices around the District.
On a cold winter’s day, there is nothing like a container of Kumbaya Winter Vegetable or the Audacity of Nutty Sweet Potato showing up at your door to save the day, or at least dinner. Ms. Polon is, after all, Soupergirl.
Ms. Polon (above and left) picks up a load of sweet and russet potatoes and butternut squash at the popular farmers market. She goes to the market on Sunday, chops and cooks on Monday and Tuesday and delivers midweek to 75 to 100 regular customers.
Ms. Polon started Soupergirl in November, a few months after realizing she wanted to be part of the local food movement. The former tech executive, stand-up comedian and travel consultant says she would have been a farmer, but she doesn’t “look good in overalls.”
“A friend said to me, ‘Soup,’ ” Ms. Polon recalls. ” ‘You and your mom make really good soup.’ I have always wanted to do something on my own. I had been looking for an idea that involved nutrition and healthy living.”
Soon, a business was born, and Soupergirl has 75 to 100 regular customers. Ms. Polon and her mom, Marilyn, make two soups a week (one smooth, one hearty) which people order via her Web site, www.thesoupergirl.com. Pints are $6.75, quarts are $12.75. For a small delivery charge, Soupergirl will deliver to the door. Pickups also are available at various locations around town, including Balance Studio in Bethesda and the Fishbowl at George Washington University.
Photo by Dan4th