Today we’d like to introduce you to Casey Barbles.
Hi Casey, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Currently, I am a Licensed Nutritionist and market curator. I completed my Master’s in Clinical and Functional Nutrition at The University of Bridgeport in 2020 after battling many rare and life-altering syndromes and chronic conditions. After realizing how much I was healing from visiting local farmers markets, I decided to get my master’s and start the blog, The Informal Grub. After leading a cooking class highlighting local farms in 2018, I was approached to start Heights Mercantile Farmers Market.
Fast forward through the changes the pandemic brought to us all, I am now a real food + wellness expert in Houston, TX, and the founder/creator behind The Informal Grub, LLC which operates the Heights Mercantile and Rice Village Farmers Market in the Houston-area and co-owner of The Feel Good Group which is also a market events company in the Houston-area.
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?
Living with chronic illness is unpredictable and creates unique challenges but I am fortunate for my wonderful and reliable team and a very understanding community of vendors. This team allows me to slow my pace down and put extra care into my healing when necessary. Being at every single market I create is something I wish I could do but realize that is not realistic or healthy for my conditions. My biggest struggle is FOMO.
Covid catapulted my career into markets, and since I have no real “training” in event planning, I simply had to fly by the seat of my pants and learn along the way. Luckily, when you are creating fun community events. there are not too many roadblocks, especially when you operate them with a kind and professional mindset.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The Informal Grub owns and operates both Heights Mercantile Farmers Market and Rice Village Farmers Market, Casey Barbles, owner, is also a certified Nutritionist who holds a master’s in functional and clinical nutrition. Since they are nutritionist-owned, these markets stand out from the rest due to their stringent onboarding process that only allows the most quality ingredients used. The foods sold at the market by chefs, farmers, ranchers and create aid in health, through and through.
The Informal Grub prides itself on how the markets enrich the community as a whole, small businesses, and also down to an individual level. Supporting the local community while also supporting your mental and physical health is a wonderful thing. The Grub markets are a great way to get to know your local community, but the instagram page and newsletter also provide great resources, recipes, and nutritional tips.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theinformalgrub.com
- Instagram: @the_informal_grub
Image Credits
Traci Ling
