Photograph by Julie Daniluk

David Farnell

Founding Dad

What do you do at RFRK?

I make sure everything that's supposed to happen actually happens. With Lulu, I chart direction for the future and make sure we're constantly raising the bar on quality for the food and the services we offer our community.

What is the one thing that makes RFRK what it is?

We challenge the status quo, and we don't settle for "just good enough". When it comes to the health of our children, "good enough" just isn't good enough. RFRK has completely reinvented children's catering...because we had to.

It is much easier to use the packaged, processed foods that the other catering companies are content to serve. What makes RFRK different is our commitment to make our food fresh from scratch, using only natural and organic ingredients. No other children's catering company can say they do this.

Tell us about a memorable food experience you had as a child.

Helping my Grandfather Angelo make his famous lemon chicken soup. He was one of five brothers in a Greek immigrant family - all of whom owned restaurants. He would take me to local farms where he'd buy whole, fresh chickens and eggs as well as chicken manure for his garden. Even though it was in the trunk and we were driving on the highway, I'll never forget that smell...nor the succulent tomatoes and enormous zucchini he grew with it!

Can RFRK change the world?

I don't know if we change the world, but we work to inspire parents to carry the philosophy of Real Food into their homes, which means those values will stay with kids their whole lives. And if our environmentally responsible messages stay in kids' minds and help influence their buying habits in adulthood, we will have helped our future society be greener and cleaner.

What do you think should be the fifth food group?

To quote Thomas Jefferson, "Good wine is a necessity of life for me." And preferably wine that is organically made and through biodynamic processes.

What food/eating/health tip do you have for moms, dads and kids?

Avoid living a fast food lifestyle and remember that you're their role model. Let your kids know most things are okay in moderation. When it comes to meat - quality over quantity. Buy naturally raised meats that have not been subjected to factory farm environments and routine antibiotics or growth hormones. Teach your kids to read labels - show them the difference between real and fake food! Eat together as much as possible. Take time for leisurely weekend brunches or lunches with extended family and guests. You'll build memories that will stay with your kids throughout their lives.

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