I’m no food blogger. Rather, I’m all about stories.

Lately, though, I’ve been reading the labels on some new foods I’ve found. No, not the nutrition labels. That is, I read those, but that isn’t what I’m talking about.

I’ve been reading the story behind some of my new favorites.

Here’s one: “Soy Vay” brand sauces and marinades. One day while in a fit of Hoisin sauce craving, I ran across this version at the grocery store and tried it out that very evening.

Wowzer.

The sauce is fantastic (notice the nearly-empty bottle), but I really became a raving fan of the brand when I read the fun story on the label:

It all started when a Jewish boy and a Chinese girl shared a deep passion… for food. They began making unique sauces with real, high-quality ingredients—just the good stuff. “Oy vey!” exclaimed his parents. They called the company Soy Vay. Everybody’s happy. …

And then there’s Dave’s Killer Bread, which I found during a hunt for healthy bread options that didn’t remind me of cardboard. There I stood, in the bread-and-peanut-butter aisle, reading this story on the side of the package:

15 years in prison.

That’s a tough way to find yourself. Dave Dahl realized he was in the wrong game and knew he had more to offer. His brother, Glenn, saw a change in him and gave Dave a second chance by welcoming him back to the family bakery. Dave set out to make a loaf like no other—the most nutritious, organic whole grain bread—and the result is what he called “killer” bread.

Dave’s Killer Bread is built on the belief that everyone is capable of greatness. What began as one man’s journey has turned into so much more. Today, one third of our employees at our Oregon bakery have criminal backgrounds, and we have witnessed first-hand how stable employment sparks personal transformation.

I tucked the loaf of bread into my cart and gave it a pat. “You go, Dave!”

Yes, the bread is truly delicious, but the story made it all the more memorable and kept me coming back, loaf after loaf.

Your turn: What do you dream of doing? What do you have to offer? Are you going to pursue it?

As I always say, “Everybody has a story.” Don’t let your story remain unwritten.

I hope this gives you some food for thought!
Thanks for reading,
Jan