Today we’d like to introduce you to Mac Villarreal
Hi Mac, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
It all started with my grandmother’s recipes, inspired by family meals filled with love and warmth. As a busy family with kids and a hectic life, we realized how hard it was to find time to cook. Industrialized soups were not what we wanted, and we knew many people were looking for better options—soups made without ultra-processed ingredients.
Our journey began at the Little Italy Farmers’ Market, where we shared our soups with the community and listened to their feedback face-to-face. Those early days were all about connecting with people and ensuring our soups were exactly what they needed. From there, we started introducing our soups to independent stores, taking one small step at a time. Fast forward to today, and you can now find I Eat My Greens at Jimbo’s, Seaside Market, Frazier Farms, Windmill Farms, Sprouts, Wegmans on the East Coast, and many other local stores, as well as online on our website.
It’s been a wild and rewarding ride, but through it all, we’ve stayed true to what matters most—creating soups that are delicious, nourishing, and made with care.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s definitely been a rewarding road, full of learnings, friendships, and incredible people who’ve helped us along the way. We’re so grateful for the support we’ve received—it’s made all the difference.
That said, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. Production can get hectic, especially when you’re trying to scale while staying true to your values. And working with fresh produce? That’s a whole adventure in itself! Since we depend on what nature provides, weather can throw us some curveballs now and then.
But every challenge has been an opportunity to grow, adapt, and keep moving forward. It’s all part of the journey, and we wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At I Eat My Greens, we create chef-crafted soups that are all about nourishing people with high-quality, minimally processed ingredients. We specialize in offering soups that cater to a variety of dietary preferences—gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and vegetarian—while still being delicious and satisfying for everyone.
What I’m most proud of is our team. Every single person here is working toward the same goal: bringing warmth, goodness, and nourishment to our customers. It’s amazing to see the dedication and passion everyone pours into making this vision a reality.
What sets us apart? It’s the ingredients we use, the care and creativity behind our recipes, and the values we hold. From sourcing fresh produce to crafting flavors that feel and taste like homemade, we’re committed to delivering something special with every bowl. For us, it’s not just about food—it’s about creating moments of comfort and joy for the people we serve.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
When it comes to finding a mentor, I think it’s so important to look for someone you truly admire and respect—not just for their business success but also for their creativity and values. A great mentor isn’t just someone who has achieved what you hope to; they should also inspire you to grow in ways that align with who you are and where you want to go.
For networking, I’ve found it works best to connect with people you share something in common with, whether that’s an industry, a passion, or even similar goals. Those shared interests make the connection more meaningful and genuine. San Diego has an amazing natural products local industry that has helped me tremendously, offering not just connections but also inspiration and support.
LinkedIn has been a fantastic tool for meeting people and starting conversations, and tradeshows are another great way to network. They’re perfect for putting a face to a name and getting to know people in a more personal way. Both have been incredibly helpful for me in building relationships that really matter.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ieatmygreens.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ieat.mygreens/?hl=en
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/macmanuel/
