Cowford Belles Cowford Belles began with two
sisters’ vision to deliver farm-fresh foods—conveniently—to residents on the First Coast. Mara Kelly Webb and Jenny Pietschker, owners of Cowford Belles, made their dream a reality. Teir business delivers local or certified organic produce, meat, dairy, eggs, breads and artisan products straight to the door of customers who order online.
Before their company began, Mara and
Jenny were like many First Coast families who flock to farmer’s markets on weekends. “Jacksonville is such a wonderful city because we have these great farmer’s markets. With husbands, work schedules and small children, we found it very difficult to get over to the market every Saturday,” Mara says. “We thought, wouldn’t it be great if someone brought it all to us? Tat’s how we got started.”
Growing up, the sisters were always close.
Teir father was an entrepreneur who showed them the importance of work and family from an early age. “We grew up in his business,” Mara says. Today, the sisters both have young sons. “We want our boys to learn the hard-work ethic that we learned. We want our boys to learn how important family is, even outside of just immediate family.”
Both sisters enjoy the opportunity to be
a large part of each other’s lives and work together. “We kind of worked going totally opposite directions and then we found this commonality allowing us to work together.” Mara explains that Jenny’s strengths are numbers and accounting, and the operational side of the business. Mara’s strengths are in the marketing and the day-to-day running. “We’re finding that we’re definitely a good fit for each other,” Mara says.
Te sisters want to bring fresh,
wholesome food to the First Coast because they grew up here. “Tis is where our families
Photo courtesy of Cowford Belles Mara and Jenny with their sons and their mother
are and this is where we want to raise our children.” Raising their children helps them understand how important it is to provide food that is rich in nutrients, but also flavorful. Te first time Mara experienced a local rancher’s steak she was amazed. “I was overwhelmed—just by the flavor—they were delicious. I kept thinking to myself, why are we not eating these all the time?”
Although many residents are familiar
with the benefits in both flavor and nutrition of locally-grown foods, Cowford Belles brings a level of convenience that farmer’s markets don’t. “We strive to provide local foods because that has the most nutrition [and] the best flavor because two days ago it was in the garden and now you’re eating it.”
When foods are not available from local
farmers or ranchers, Cowford Belles uses certified organic foods grown regionally. “We strive to stay as close to Jacksonville area foods as possible because they are going to be the best flavor and the most nutrition, and also support the local farmers and ranchers.”
As for the future of the company, the
sisters hope to continue serving the First Coast. “We would like to grow to a point where we become a one-stop shop for busy families. We want to be able to provide families, especially business families with children, fresh, healthy, convenient food, locally.”
cowfordbelles.com
10 | Family! HERITAGE PUBLISHING, INC. © 2013
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