By Lisa Shell
Elaine Fosse, founder of Fosse Farms, hangs up the phone from a call with a buyer from Town and Country Markets. She has just learned that they will be joining the growing list of retail locations selling her delicious salad dressings.
Elaine’s famous dressing, which is produced locally in Raymond, Wash., can be found at retailers across the Northwest, including Whole Foods Market, Marlene’s Deli & Market, Ralph’s and Bayview Thriftway, Stadium Thriftway, Tacoma Boys, Harbor Greens, Nature’s Market, G.F Joe’s Gluten Free Market, and even the Hoquiam Farmers Market.
And, all of this success started with just four bottles of Elaine’s homemade raspberry vinaigrette salad dressing.
It all began when one of Elaine’s friends asked if she’d like to bake something for a fundraiser. The fundraiser would be benefitting a family support group for soldiers at Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM). Elaine doesn’t bake much, but she loves to cook. So she took a small batch of raspberry dressing to the event. She sold out quickly, and orders for more started coming in right away. She happily filled orders for her new customers, and, over the next four years, all her proceeds benefited the family support group.
Encouraged by the positive response she received from her new friends at JBLM, Elaine expanded her line to include more flavors. She added cranberry, blackberry, and Provencal to the lineup. She decided to bottle up bigger batches and hit the road to the Bellevue Farmers Market.
Elaine says, “I first participated in a few farmers markets, like the one in Bellevue.” Years later, her hard work and commitment caught the attention of Whole Foods Market. Soon they put together a promo package including labels. With new labels, her bottled salad dressing was available at all Whole Foods locations in the Pacific Northwest.
After building a customer base and getting her product noticed by Whole Foods, she had to figure out how to get her all natural dressing certified. No job is too big for Elaine. She started calling different groups that help trace back ingredients and inspect production facilities. Because she is meticulous about keeping records, the process was a bit easier. She credits the folks at the Gluten-Free Certification Organization for helping her along the way.
“They are fabulous, and based out of Auburn. Just fabulous,” boasts Elaine. “You can’t believe what they have done for me. They are good people.”
Along the way, the Washington State Department of Agriculture tested her products. The entire process took about eight months. The result was an updated product with improved certified ingredients, new labels, new certifications, and an ability to get her properly labeled product to the shelf faster.
Presently, Fosse Farms dressing and marinades are free of gluten, salt, soy, GMOs and dairy. They are also vegan and certified organic by Washington State Department of Agriculture.
Like her mother before her, Elaine flavors the vinegar with herbs, spices and fresh berries. “I grew up as one of five kids,” says Elaine. “My mom was always cooking. She made everything from scratch and used all natural ingredients. My dad had high blood pressure, so she cooked everything with no salt. Mom always used vinegar as a natural remedy.”
Following her mother’s model, Elaine’s vinegars are beautiful, delicious, and the secret to making the most wonderful tasting salad dressings, marinades and dips. You know, the kind that leave your mouth watering and in need of another bite. Some even say it’s medicinal.
Together with her new business partner, Jeff Wolff, Elaine is ready for the future of this growing business with new pricing, new labels, new outlets and even a fresh flavored dressing: cilantro and lime. With no additives or preservatives, this delicious dressing is a great marinade for chicken, pork or beef. The infused cilantro and lime flavors enhance any meat, especially fish tacos.
Look for Elaine’s story to be included in Jack Canfield’s new book titled, “Living the Success Principles,” expected out in 2015.
For more information about Fosse Farms and their certified organic dressings and marinades, visit them online here.
