Liz Snyder, Queen of Pops (aka CEO) and
Helen Liles, Little Bee (aka Chief Tasting Officer)
It was my daughter, Helen (aka our “Little Bee”), who first came up with the idea for Little Bee Pops. Basically, she was sick and tired of not being allowed to get treats from the ice cream cart at the park. I’m also pretty sure she was tired of hearing me rant about a market flooded with cheap, subsidized corn & soy creating a toxic food supply full of corn syrup and additives that was then fobbed off on the youngest, most unsuspecting consumers.
Ask for a treat, get a lecture on agricultural economics.
Yes, I am that mom.
With a long-suffering eyeroll, she said “So Mom, why don’t you sell your pops at the park? Then moms and kids could be happy.” And with that, the idea for Little Bee Pops was born.
Aside from my park-bench farm bill rants, I’ve got a bunch of foodie street cred: I started an 11-acre educational farm on public school land, cooked up collards and curriculum for an amazing food justice nonprofit, and helped start a 150-member CSA for low-income families for a major public agency. What’s more, I have a fancy-pants degree from Oxford University, I tackle spreadsheets like a ninja, and I write a mean grant application. But the truth is, I’m happiest when I’m in the kitchen, creating things that make people smile. I am totally stoked by the idea of making food for a living, and so grateful to have the chance to make it a reality!
Ask for a treat, get a lecture on agricultural economics.
Yes, I am that mom.
With a long-suffering eyeroll, she said “So Mom, why don’t you sell your pops at the park? Then moms and kids could be happy.” And with that, the idea for Little Bee Pops was born.
Aside from my park-bench farm bill rants, I’ve got a bunch of foodie street cred: I started an 11-acre educational farm on public school land, cooked up collards and curriculum for an amazing food justice nonprofit, and helped start a 150-member CSA for low-income families for a major public agency. What’s more, I have a fancy-pants degree from Oxford University, I tackle spreadsheets like a ninja, and I write a mean grant application. But the truth is, I’m happiest when I’m in the kitchen, creating things that make people smile. I am totally stoked by the idea of making food for a living, and so grateful to have the chance to make it a reality!
Lilia Schwartz, Pop Goddess (aka Chief Creative Officer)
For years, Lilia has helped me start things. Basically, I get a harebrained idea to start something, and she’s the sounding board, brainstormer, head cheerleader, list-maker, graphic designer and idea factory that coaxes the idea into reality.
Without our awesomely wonder-twins-activate synergy, Full Circle Farm would not exist.
She’s also a super-talented artist and photographer, a dedicated Auntie to the Little Bee, and a devoted fan of all things Joss Whedon.
And oh yeah - if it looks like we paid someone to make it look good, that’s all Lilia.
Right now, in addition to starting up Little Bee Pops, Lilia canoodles with paints whenever she gets the chance and is in the early stages of creating a photography exhibit of diverse dancers in motion, entitled 'Grace'.
Without our awesomely wonder-twins-activate synergy, Full Circle Farm would not exist.
She’s also a super-talented artist and photographer, a dedicated Auntie to the Little Bee, and a devoted fan of all things Joss Whedon.
And oh yeah - if it looks like we paid someone to make it look good, that’s all Lilia.
Right now, in addition to starting up Little Bee Pops, Lilia canoodles with paints whenever she gets the chance and is in the early stages of creating a photography exhibit of diverse dancers in motion, entitled 'Grace'.
Melissa Patel, Chief Whip-Cracker (aka Kitchen Manager)
Melissa grew up in Chicago and was exposed to gardening from a very early age. Shortly after getting married, Melissa and her husband moved to Mountain View. There, they had two daughters, Mansi and Keya. Mansi was born in 2003 and Keya was born in 2005 at home with a midwife. After having Keya, Melissa joined Las Madres, a local mother's group, and became the director for Keya's group soon thereafter.
In 2006, the family moved to Santa Clara where Melissa became more interested in sustainable living. She has been making conscious efforts to reduce her family's waste and consumption of disposable goods. In that effort, she has implemented a system to reuse her laundry waste water to irrigate all her ornamental plants. She is active in crafting food from scratch straight from the garden along with canning.
Today, Melissa is active as the Garden Manager at Full Circle Farm, gives backyard chicken classes, and raises chicks in the spring. She is also a Girl Scout Leader were she has helped in the kitchen at summer camp feeding over 125 girls a day. She is excited to create a bustling and efficient kitchen for Little Bee Pops.
In 2006, the family moved to Santa Clara where Melissa became more interested in sustainable living. She has been making conscious efforts to reduce her family's waste and consumption of disposable goods. In that effort, she has implemented a system to reuse her laundry waste water to irrigate all her ornamental plants. She is active in crafting food from scratch straight from the garden along with canning.
Today, Melissa is active as the Garden Manager at Full Circle Farm, gives backyard chicken classes, and raises chicks in the spring. She is also a Girl Scout Leader were she has helped in the kitchen at summer camp feeding over 125 girls a day. She is excited to create a bustling and efficient kitchen for Little Bee Pops.
