Interview with Madeline Lee of SUPERFREE

A couple of months ago I met with Madeline Lee, owner of SUPERFREE and have been struggling with writing this blog post because I came away so inspired! She changed her life from a career in fashion in NYC to move back home to the triangle area to focus on building a business that helps people transition to a more plant-based lifestyle (in any capacity that they can). She has worked very hard on building her brand and has been successful with consulting restaurants, selling her own plant-based treats, and counseling others. What exactly is SUPERFREE and how has Madeline paved the way for plant-based living in the triangle? Read on to find out!

Madeline’s Journey

Madeline initially earned a degree in nutrition science (which is the degree needed to become a registered dietitian). After graduation, she decided to move to NYC to pursue her other passion- fashion. She worked in styling, modeling, and other various jobs in the fashion industry. All throughout this time, she was also battling her own health problems with Crohn's disease. Having worked with many patients with Crohn's Disease, I know how difficult it can be for people to determine a diet that works for them and helps them stay out of the hospital. Madeline determined that the best diet for her would be the beginning of her “superfree brand.” Eating vegan, gluten free, dairy free, soy free and refined sweetener free made her body feel the best. 

Others were always curious about the foods that she would make and ask to sample some, so she decided this could maybe become a business for her. She was excited about the idea of sharing what she learned through her journey and potentially helping others as well. She began her nutrition blog and started preparing meals for others. Madeline found that there was  a huge space in the market (even in NYC) for her foods, and started becoming more successful. When the opportunity to secure a production kitchen in Durham arose, she took it and started transitioning back to life in the triangle. One step she took during this transition was to complete Duke’s Integrative Health Coaching program which would ultimately set her up for success to counsel others. 

SUPERFREE

Raw Cacao Truffles

Madeline noticed when moving back to the south, people were becoming much more interested in health foods, but many of the needed services weren’t there yet. She also believed that if health and wellness was more of a presence, then other people may actually start to be more interested. So she went ahead and started her company SUPERFREE to fill that void. She makes decadent foods and treats, counsels individuals, and consults for different area restaurants. Her foods are soy free, GMO free, gluten free, lactose free, plant-based, refined sweetener free, and organic. Again, all because these are the foods that have helped her body feel at peace. You can find her foods at many locations in the area (Raleigh Raw and Coco and Cinnamon for example), on the website http://superfreefood.com/, and at some of her many pop up markets. The best way to receive her items is actually to message the company through their instagram @superfreefoods. You can even choose to receive a bi-weekly subscription box. She also hopes to help restaurants provide more plant-based meal options so people like her can have more options when dining out. She recently helped Raleigh-based restaurant Mama Crow (in transfer food hall) create their SUPERFREE burger- a plant-based option! 

Overnight Chia Oats

She aims to help people incorporate a more plant-based approach to eating through her counseling. There are no strict restrictions in her guidance and she fully believes in meeting people where they are. For example, if you don’t want to go 100% vegan, but would like to work in a couple of meals per week, then she’s up for it! Madeline ultimately wants people to feel good after eating. And I don’t just mean proud of it or something, but actually not have pain or inflammation. She’ll always have a place in her heart for those that are in pain from the food they eat, like she used to, and this is what drives her to help others. 

When I asked Madeline where she saw her company going, she said that she actually plans to be even more hands-off in production aspects of the business so she can focus on counseling clients and developing programs for retreats and workshops. Maybe even a cookbook too? She still is involved in the fashion industry through modeling and styling (which even sometimes takes her back to NYC) and would like to marry her two worlds by styling her own cookbook! 

Raw No cheese, no cake tart

I’m so glad that we have someone like Madeline out in the community promoting and making others interested in nutrition. Whenever I go through pop-up markets in the area I think to myself- where are the dietitians? If we want more representation then shouldn’t we be out here too? Madeline is doing just that! She’s grinding trying to get her products out there while also making people overall more interested in health and wellness. I personally found Madeline very inspiring to make my own mark on Raleigh through nutrition. What does that mean for me? I’m not sure. I don’t think that I’ve found my “thing” yet, like Madeline, but I’m so glad she’s pioneering the way for others to come along too. She said herself there’s still plenty room in the market for other health and nutrition professionals and people actually want the content and help. So what are you going to do to make the triangle a little healthier??

COVID Update

Noted that during COVID you can buy giftcards to SUPERFREE for the future. This is under the “goods” tabs of the website. Right now the production kitchen is closed, but buying gift cards can help them to re-open in the future.