Healthy Eating in a Fast-Paced World: A Conversation With Yevhenii Shevchenko

Written by: Dan Agbo

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Life is speeding up, and finding time to cook healthy meals at home is getting more complex. We're all busier, often eating on the go. But healthy eating is more popular than ever. Imagine having a complete breakfast, lunch, and dinner full of all the necessary vitamins without touching the stove. Sounds impressive, right? This dream has become a reality thanks to Yevhenii Shevchenko. 

Yevhenii is an outstanding private entrepreneur with over ten years of experience in the food industry. He developed a patented utility model that covers both the technology and cooking methods in his production, ensuring long-lasting nutritional value, while also holding the copyright to his menu, which offers a diverse range of meals that blend modern dietary needs with home-cooked flavors. As an esteemed member of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Yevhenii has addressed the demand for healthy, ready-to-eat food through his innovative solutions.

A SOLUTION BORN FROM NECESSITY

Today, more people work in remote locations or with long commutes, so the need for convenient, healthy food options has never been greater. The idea for creating long-lasting, ready-to-eat meals came to Mr. Shevchenko while working in remote areas with poor living conditions and no proper amenities. Recognizing the need for convenient yet nutritious food, he developed a unique range of meals that maintain nutritional value for up to 24 months without preservatives. His company produces a wide variety of dishes, including soups, grain dishes with meats, beans with meat and vegetables, and potatoes with meat. With their long shelf life and no need for cooking, these meals offer a convenient solution for those with busy schedules, providing relief and reducing stress. They retain their nutritional value and look and taste like traditional home-cooked food.

"Our ready-to-eat meals offer a practical solution for those in remote areas or with busy schedules who still want to eat healthily," Mr. Shevchenko says. "This helps individuals and society by promoting better health."

THE PRODUCTION PROCESS

Meal kits and ready-to-eat meals are becoming increasingly popular worldwide, with the global market projected to reach $11.6 billion by 2025. Yevhenii with his company, is a key player in this growing industry, producing up to 7,200 packages of meals daily, weighing up to 3,000 kg. In comparison, other leading companies in the industry, such as HelloFresh and Blue Apron, have also seen significant growth, expanding their offerings and scaling up production to meet increasing demand.

“We're always innovating,” Yevhenii explains. “I constantly study people's wants and work with specialists to expand our range. Our production process is meticulous, ensuring that each meal is of the highest quality and retains its nutritional value.”

“By understanding what people need and continuously improving our products, we make healthy eating easier for everyone,” Mr. Shevchenko adds.

INNOVATION AND QUALITY

Healthy eating habits are becoming increasingly important in today’s world. As life speeds up and conscious consumption gains popularity, people realize that their food choices directly impact their health and the planet. This has led to a growing interest in plant-based and alternative protein sources. Products made from mushrooms, beans, fish, seafood, and vegetarian dishes are becoming more popular, helping people maintain a healthy lifestyle while contributing to sustainable development.

Yevhenii Shevchenko and his team are aligned with this trend. Just two years ago, they hadn’t considered working with mushrooms and beans, but today, they’ve developed several dishes using these ingredients. They are continuing to experiment by incorporating fish, seafood, and vegetarian options into their menu.

“Our focus on quality helps people develop healthier eating habits and supports sustainable farming,” Shevchenko emphasizes. To achieve this, the company uses only high-quality products sourced directly from trusted suppliers with long-term contracts, ensuring that every meal is fresh and nutritious. 

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY

Advanced food preservation technologies are crucial to making meals last without losing quality. Mr. Shevchenko and his team developed innovative technology based on traditional methods adjusted for long-term storage in retort pouches. They were the first in their region to create meals with meat, chicken, vegetables, grains, and legumes stored in retort pouches. Yevhenii personally monitored the market to determine the range of dishes and conducted numerous trials to perfect the recipes and processes. Each dish has undergone regulatory and technological documentation, passing all government controls and registration.

"Using advanced techniques, we provide both convenient and healthy meals, ensuring everyone has access to good food," Mr. Shevchenko explains.

ENSURING SAFETY AND QUALITY

Food safety and quality have always been fundamental aspects of a healthy diet. In an era where people are increasingly concerned about what they consume, the importance of these factors cannot be overstated. It's not just about providing meals that taste good—it's about ensuring that every bite is safe, nutritious, and beneficial for long-term health. Recognizing this, Yevhenii Shevchenko collaborated with Odessa National Academy of Food Technologies experts to rigorously test and refine their products. This partnership was crucial in developing meals that meet and exceed industry standards for taste, nutrition, and safety.

“Our top priority is ensuring our products are safe and of the highest quality,” Shevchenko explains. “By collaborating with specialists, we can maintain these high standards and build lasting trust with our customers.”

CONVENIENCE IN ANY SETTING

Convenient meals are more important than ever, especially for busy people. Finding the time to prepare nutritious meals can be challenging, which is why easy-to-prepare options are becoming increasingly popular. The ability to enjoy a healthy, hot meal without the hassle of traditional cooking methods can make a significant difference in maintaining a balanced diet, especially for those with busy lifestyles. Mr. Shevchenko and his team have focused on making their meals as convenient as possible. Their products can be easily heated in retort pouches using flameless chemical elements or simply by immersing the pouch in hot water. They’ve even gone a step further by providing alternative energy sources for heating meals, ensuring that their customers can enjoy a nutritious meal anytime, anywhere—at home, at work, or in a remote location.

“Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for people to access healthy, hot meals,” Shevchenko explains. “By offering convenient heating methods, we’re helping people maintain healthier eating habits, no matter where they are.”