In 2003 and 2004 I was working closely with Restaurant Associates to promote Popcorn, Indiana as a snack option for their corporate cafeterias and entertainment venues. They held a meeting at the Credit Suise building on Madison Ave in NYC to showcase a handful of companies to the chefs that manage each of their locations. There was a woman there who had recently started her company, bursting with energy and excitement as she described Peeled Snacks, her simple, convenient and healthy brand.

Noha and I got to talking that day and I am fortunate that we have stayed in touch through the years. She was one of the first calls I made when we were designing Abe’s Market, 5 years had passed and I was eager to hear her feedback on what Abe’s had to offer Sellers like Peeled.

As a true testimony to what a smart, motivated and fearless (it wasn’t always an easy path) entrepreneur can accomplish, Peeled Snacks recently launched in Starbucks nationwide. Locations feature a basket with three Peeled Snacks flavors, ready to tear open and enjoy. The other day I picked up much-ado-about-Mango for my kids and felt good about what they were eating. My personal favorite is Figsated and apparently I am not alone as figs have become the hot fruit (eventhough a fig is actually an inverted flower, go figure).

We got the chance to catch up with Noha and her very funny colleague/husband Ian at the Fancy Food show…