Caroline Barrett knew quitting her job was a risk.
After nearly 20 years in graphic design, Barrett’s youngest son had just been born, and she was looking to do something different with her life. She loved to cook and had some recipes that were loved by friends and family. So Barrett decided to try catering.
That’s when she hit on a different idea.
“I had a flavor of almonds I made for friends and often gave on holidays,” said Barrett. “I thought I could possibly sell it.”
She figured going into business for herself would also allow her more time at home with her kids.
Our Daily Eats began in 2004 with Barrett making small batches of her Spicy Maple Almonds out of her home kitchen in Delmar. Her first two retail customers were Delmar Marketplace and Indian Ladder Farms in Altamont. The almonds were originally sold in plastic cone bags that were filled and labeled by hand.
Within a month, the business had grown, and she decided to add more flavors along with different varieties of nuts. The business stayed in her kitchen for about a year and a half before moving to a larger space behind the former Four Corners Pharmacy on Delaware Avenue in Delmar.
“Everything was going great there, but we couldn’t fill our bigger orders,” said Barrett. “We couldn’t get them through the door, so we had to fill them on pallets outside of the building.”
The family was dealt a major blow when, in the spring of 2010, Caroline’s husband, Paul, lost his job with IBM.
“It was a challenging time for us,” said Paul. “I went from a steady income with insurance to a job of unknowns. We had the company, but it was very small at that point. We debated if it was the right move to continue, but it was enough of an investment that it was worth the risk.”
Paul had been working as a traveling consultant with IBM and was gone most of the week, helping with production or distribution for Our Daily Eats when he had the extra time. The loss of his job meant big changes. Both Paul and Caroline decided to sit down and see if it was possible for them to work together on a day-to-day basis.
“Now I couldn’t be happier with the business partner I’ve chosen,” said Paul. “I think it was a blessing in disguise. We obviously have our differences of opinion, but we complement each other in different ways.”
With the decision made they would both be working full-time at Our Daily Eats, the couple decided it was time to expand and focus more on their branding.
By fall of 2010, the company moved to its current location on Everett Road in Albany. The design and packaging were changed, and they decided to reach out to more retailers. They also decided to take on more employees.
Ten years later, Our Daily Eats has four employees, plus Caroline and Paul. They produce seven varieties of nuts and seeds, seven granola and dried fruit mixes and two kinds of roasted peanuts. They also offer specially themed holiday options.
Caroline said each day the company focuses on the production of one type of nut or granola. Each are made in 50-pound batches, with 600 to 800 pounds of a product made in one day. Our Daily Eats can now be found in most local supermarkets, along with farmers markets and many specialty food stores.
“It was a leap of faith, and sometimes it’s a struggle,” said Caroline. “But for the most part it works out every day, and we are pretty blessed.”
The company celebrates its 10th anniversary this month. Paul said the goal is to stay competitively priced while continuing to produce a quality product.
“We want customers to see the value in what we make and that it’s not just another scoop of vanilla (granola) but something much greater than that.”
Caroline said she’s glad they stuck with the company and hopes it will continue to grow.
“We are very proud of what we done,” she said. “I feel like it’s our fourth child. It’s a journey we are on, and we’re raising it and growing it just like one of our children.”
For more information, visit www.ourdailyeats.com.