By Vic Schukov

Shelley Scott grew up on a farm outside Lindsay Ontario. And as they, you can’t take the country out of a country girl. Scott lives on a farm in Roblin, just north of Kingston. It is not surprising that she has, in her own words, a country living philosophy:

“I just love going out in the back fields and being on a horse or even cutting wood.  I love being outside and taking in nature and fresh air. I have two happy places; outside on the farm and inside my kitchen. My passion for cooking came from my dad who was an incredible cook, and my grandmother. All my life, I just remember sitting in the kitchen learning to make bread and good meals. Dad inspired me. Cooking is my therapy and I just love to feed people. I have always wanted to have my own catering space.”

Scott’s other passion is rescuing and raising horses. She has “seven and a half” – one is a pony.

Wishes do come true, if you really want them to. Six and a half years ago, Scott started Meals by Mom, based in Kingston. She prepares and delivers meals that any culinary smart  mom would be proud to serve. All her meals and single dishes are prepared in a professional kitchen, with no preservatives and additives because her meals are delivered fresh, never frozen.

“I started my business with the idea I wanted healthy fresh food brought to people their way, so I go out of my way to make sure that it is favourite food they actually enjoy. If you don’t like green beans, I’m not going to send you green beans. My dad, when I used to drive home to visit him, would look at the green beans and say, ‘I haven’t eaten them in 78 years. What makes you think I will eat them now?’” she said, laughing. “Meals by Mom is like having a personal chef but not in your home. I love making people happy with food.”  

According to Scott, for her, food is about memories in her life. Every dish she prepares reminds her of a family dinner or a special moment  like sitting down at the family dinner table, every Sunday night with a big spread. For Scott, like a song, every meal has a fond memory attached: “With Meals by Mom, I love creating new memories for people, with good food.”  

Ordering meals off of the Meals by Mom web site is just like Amazon only for prepared food: Look, Add it to your cart, Pay, and they will deliver it to your door while it’s still fresh.

At any point in the process, you can call them to make sure you get your order when and how you want it. Meals by Mom accommodates both allergies and specialty foods like vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free. You can order complete dinners, one-dish meals, sides and salads, desserts and more. The selection, whether it be chicken, beef, pork, seafood or vegetarian, whatever, is incredible, and exactly what you request:

“I don’t have written recipes because that’s not what my dad and grandmother would do. They just add a little of this and that (like a master chef.) In my brain, I have over a 100 recipes. And I am always coming up with new stuff. I tell my customers that what they see on my website is simply the most popular meals and just the tip of the iceberg. If there is something you crave, I can almost always make it.”     

Scott feels gratitude and blessed during this COVID crisis, as her sales have actually increased;  not surprising, considering people’s isolation and the convenience of a meal being delivered directly to their homes. Depending on the occasion, Scott makes from 15 to 50 meals a day, in her fully equipped kitchen. She caters Christmas dinners, noting that it is an extremely busy day.   

“My goal is to get people to eat nutritious meals. Anything I can do to make their lives a little bit easier, that is why I am here. And I live to enjoy each and every day as best as I can.”    

You can now get Meals by Mom delivered anywhere in and around Kingston, Greater Napanee and Gananoque. Free delivery in Kingston on orders over $40; just $6 outside Kingston.

Even if you can’t safely gather, you can still give the gift of healthy, delicious food with a Meals by Mom Digital Gift Card.

Visit: https://mealsbymom.com/

Don’t want to order online?  Want to talk to a real person? Call or text: 613-484-8224  or email.

When you’re ready you can pay by Visa, MasterCard, Interac Transfer (from a Canadian Bank), PayPal, or American Express.

Remember, folks: Shop local, and God bless Mom and Pop businesses.