Colorful Sprouts visionary, Brandon Pellerin, was born and raised in the city of New Orleans, in the Bywater neighborhood.

At the age of thirteen, Brandon began working in the community gardens in his district, selling fresh organic herbs at farmers markets in the area.

As Brandon’s gardening experience grew, he began to experiment with innovative products using the herbs he cultivated. Brandon was mentored by Karen Hinkle, a partner with Parkway Partners – a non-profit organization, it’s mission is to empower residents to improve their quality of life through the preservation, maintenance, and beautification of neutral grounds, green spaces, playgrounds, parks, community gardens, and the urban forest in New Orleans. Karen worked closely with Brandon and inspired him to experiment with herbs and butter; the results of which were simply delicious!

Brandon then went on to start his own garden called “The Front Stoop Garden,” where he continued cultivating herbs and producing butter. Shortly thereafter, Brandon introduced the herbal butter he created to the people in his community through the local farmers markets. The community response was enthusiastic and it inspired Brandon to continue producing his many flavors of herbal butters.

In 2005, after Hurricane Katrina, Brandon moved to New York City where he lived for 5 years. Brandon introduced his herbal butter at the farmers markets around NYC and developed the brand Caleb Herbal Products.

Brandon then moved back to New Orleans in 2011. Since then, he has not been able to help but notice the gap between New York and New Orleans when it comes to available healthy food and beverages options that support a healthy lifestyle.

For instance, in New York City, from the Bronx to Manhattan, there is a farmers market or other fresh product store on every corner, providing consumers with a wide array of healthy food and beverages choices.

In New Orleans, the situation is quite different. Although New Orleans is well-known for its great food heritage, there is no disputing the fact that the State of Louisiana ranks among the worst states in the country for obesity and high blood pressure.

And, unfortunately, it is much easier to get access to fried, greasy, unhealthy food, rather than farm fresh goods, beverages or other nutritious snacks.

Brandon’s passion for natural food products and his industry experience inspired him to develop Colorful Sprouts, built on the philosophy that everyone should have access to fresh fruits and vegetables, and to products free of preservatives, additives or unnecessary heating and that when we consume locally grown food, not only do we support our own health, but we also support the communities we live in and the sustainability of the environment around us.