Nurtured Village: Revitalizing Postpartum Nutrition
At Elite Postpartum Doulas, we believe in providing comprehensive support to new parents during the transformative postpartum period. That’s why we actively seek out partnerships with local services that offer invaluable resources to our clients. Today, we’re excited to introduce Katie, the creator of Nurtured Village, a Postpartum Meal Delivery Service based out of Seattle, which will be launching in 2025. Through collaborations like these, we aim to enhance the postpartum experience by connecting families with trusted professionals who understand their unique needs. Join us as we delve into the story behind Nurtured Village and explore how it complements our mission of holistic postpartum care.
Can you share the story behind Nurtured Village and what inspired you to start this service?
Nurtured Village started from a need I had after having my first child. The help I had from family and friends was immeasurable. When they left, I realized how much I depended on them for meals. I struggled and let my own health decline. I thought I would have time to make a salad for myself but I ended up eating fistfuls of spinach and bites of cheese. With my second child, I had a meal delivery service but when my doctor told me to make sure I was getting enough iron, I was clueless about which meals were best for me.
I wanted to create something that took the guesswork out of postpartum nutrition and offered tasty fulfilling meals so new parents could take care of their babies while we take care of them. I wanted to create a service backed by science, but also tasty, beautiful, and environmentally friendly. I spent the better part of a year talking to birth professionals gathering information about what was needed in the community. I then recruited a trained postpartum nutritionist and professional chef to make nurtured village a reality.
What sets Nurtured Village apart from other similar services or products in the market?
There are many meal delivery services out there but I could not find one specifically catering to what my body needed that was in line with my values. Nurtured Village is unique because all of our meals follow postpartum nutrition guidelines outlined by our nutritionist. Our chef and postpartum nutritionist develop each menu.
We make food that replenishes nutrients after giving birth such as iron, DHA, and collagen; and replenishes fluids like soups and broths. If you’re breastfeeding, you’ll need additional calorie intake (around 300 more calories/day). Our food includes galactagogue ingredients such as oats, flax seeds, and almonds that boost milk production. Our food follows traditional approaches to postpartum recovery emphasizing warm, easily digestible foods with lots of healthy fats, fluids, and protein. We also include “one-handed” go-to meals when you’re holding baby. Our food is beautifully presented so it is a gift for you. You just won’t find that at other delivery services.
How do you ensure the products offered by Nurtured Village align with your values and mission?
Nurtured Village works with a chef, nutritionist, and other professionals to simply nutrition information and highlight supportive choices in each meal. We want parents to take the time to heal through nourishing and replenishing foods vs. “bouncing back”, honor the transition to parenthood, and emphasize foods that make us feel good where taste and look are also important. We offer educational workshops to birth workers and new parents where we discuss key nutrients for postpartum, highlight supportive foods, and offer meal and snack ideas. We keep close contact with birth workers in the field so that we can tailor our products to new parents’ needs.
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important to consumers. How does Nurtured Village integrate sustainability into its business practices?
Nurtured Village aims to have minimal impact on the environment serving our food in sustainable packaging. Most of our food is delivered in reusable glass jars and insulated bags. Our menu is plant forward helping to reduce carbon footprints. We strive to use seasonal foods to support local producers so that nutrients are better retained. We seek out partners that share our values and actively advocate for plastic free in the food industry, and more accessible and economical food and meal delivery options.
When are you expecting to launch NurturedVillage?
2025. I am staying at home with my baby this year and focusing on creative projects related to NurturedVillage. These will be announced soon! Our waitlist is accessible here. We are focusing on neighborhood density; this waitlist will determine the first zip codes we launch in.
As we conclude our conversation with Katie we’re left inspired by her dedication to revolutionizing postpartum nutrition and care in Seattle. Her commitment to providing nourishing meals tailored to the needs of new parents reflects a deep understanding of the challenges they face during this transformative period.
For those eager to experience the benefits of Nurtured Village firsthand, I encourage you to join the waitlist and be among the first to embark on this journey of postpartum wellness. Visit their website to sign up and stay updated on their launch in 2025.
And remember, if you or someone you know is in need of postpartum care and support, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Elite Postpartum Doulas. Our team is here to provide comprehensive assistance tailored to your unique needs. Visit elitepostpartumdoulas.com to learn more about our services and how we can support you during this special time.
Thank you for reading this week’s post, “Nurtured Village: Revitalizing Postpartum Nutrition.” For more tips on all things pregnancy, postpartum, and parenthood visit our weekly blog.