Image courtesy Joy Pierson/Candle 79
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The term "food as medicine" could make many lose their appetite. We think flavorless, steamed veggies, broth or too-bitter-to-sip wheatgrass elixirs. But there’s one woman breaking the mold who has mastered the craft of making nutritious, healthy food that’s also downright delicious. Think guacamole, Caesar salads, Tuscan lasagna and chocolate mousse pie!
Her name is Joy Pierson and her tasty brilliance can be found within the walls at her super cute and award-winning Candle 79 restaurant in New York City's Upper East Side. The Green Restaurant Association-certified eco-friendly eatery serves up gourmet, organic, vegan meals morning, noon and night that are healing for both our bodies—and world.
Candle 79 is a culmination of Joy's long career in sustainable food. A nutritional counselor since 1985, Joy spent many years creating menus to tailor the needs of her private clients. This in union with meeting her likeminded, food-passionate partner, Bart Potenza, ultimately led to their virtual vegan empire which includes Candle 79’s less formal sister establishment, Candle Café, their growing catering and wholesale business and the internationally bestselling Candle Café Cookbook.
When Joy isn't spotted enjoying time in one of her restaurants, you'll find her spreading the green message about food and nutrition—in books, classes, and workshops. She also serves as a board member of the New York Coalition for Healthy School Lunches and Wellness in Schools.
How did you get into this line of work?
My nutrition career lead me to explore the possibilities that plant-based foods could heal. I was always interested in food as medicine and medicine as food and with the extremely intimate relationship our bodies have with sustenance.
What was your "a-ha" moment?
When I felt the impact of good food on my body, mind, and spirit I got inspired. I learned that a vegan diet has such a profound effect on people's health and the environment. This really created the lifestyle choice for me and I ended up turning it into my fulltime passion and career.
Who is your green hero?
Alicia Silverstone and Woody Harrelson and his family. They are living examples that green works as a lifestyle choice.
What is your ultimate green goal?
To show others that eating a meat-free diet is the greenest choice that one can make for both individual health and the health of the planet. To teach that being vegan will lighten their carbon footprint. And to raise consciousness so we can all attain our green goals.
What is your motivation?
Preserving the planet for future generations. Making the world and its inhabitants healthier and thus happier.
What is most important to you, ecologically speaking?
Protecting and maintaining our water supplies and reinventing the ways in which we create and use energy.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
To train others to attain and maintain eco-friendly practices. And making sure that products touting green are authentic and ready for our daily use.
What is the most rewarding?
When others have a-ha moments while dining with us, when our staff gets inspired to make changes that are environmentally motivated and when people come to us and tell us that we've in some way impacted their life for the better.
Of the people you have worked with, who impresses you most?
My partner Bart Potenza. He has a never ending commitment to all things wonderful and green and will share his knowledge with any and all who seek his wisdom.
What green thing do you do everyday?
I eat only plant-based foods, am conscious of my water usage and recycle and reuse as much as I can.
What do you wish you could do?
I wish I could supply all schools with delicious vegan, vegetarian options in their cafeterias. I would also implement education programs into schools and businesses geared around green practices and sustainable food. And ultimately raise consciousness and awareness everywhere.
What is your biggest eco-sin?
Take out containers. We have yet to find takeout-ware that is durable and workable for our delivery business. Sadly, we have many great stories on how a new green product could not withstand the rigors of the real world.
If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?
I would teach everyone about the beneficial impact of a plant-based diet.
What is your best green advice?
Start somewhere with your green commitment. The smallest steps add up to a major change toward environmentally friendly and healthy lifestyle. But don’t be afraid of big steps either. Small steps add up, but what we need are big sweeping changes and a green revolution.
Change Makers is a series of interviews with people famous and obscure who are creating a more sustainable world through their work. Meet more Change Makers here.
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