In 2002, Stephen launched Helen’s Foods Inc., to produce vegetarian frozen entrees, named after his mom. The brand became Helen’s Kitchen.
“She said, ‘You can use my name for your company if you promise that when the steaks are produced for market, they will still taste as delicious as they do fresh out of my kitchen,'” Moore recalls.
Moore started making product at night in the kitchen of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Norwalk where his father was pastor. Under Helen’s creative direction the company added internationally themed meals such as Thai red curry and burritos.
In 2006 the company built its own kitchen in Irvine and in 2007, its products were certified organic by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture to capitalize on the $40 billion organic foods market.
Helen’s Kitchen products are now in 2,000 stores nationwide, including 700 Kroeger stores in the Midwest, plus Canada and Australia. Locally they’re in Whole Foods Market in Tustin, Mother’s Market in Irvine and Costa Mesa and Farm to Market in San Juan Capistrano.
Photo by yomi955