About Us

Mission & Vision

The mission and vision of Mindy’s Kitchen is embedded into the name: M-Maximum Accessibility, I-(Quality) Ingredients, N-Nutritious, D-Dairy-Free, and Y-Yummy. Our goal is to close the gap in accessing healthy food for people from across the gender and socio-economic spectrum.

The name Mindy’s Kitchen of California comes from the founder's mother, Melinda. She was given the nickname "Mindy" in college by her classmates. The founder, Melissa, was raised Seventh-Day Adventist which reinforced a primarily vegetarian diet. It wasn't until college that Melissa began to explore other food options and meals. During the founder, Melissa's, final year of college she experienced an extended menstrual cycle after requesting to be placed on birth control. Her menstrual cycle led her down a six-month menstrual cycle with various ongoing side effects. After feeling hopeless, she reached out to a family friend who worked as a Nurse and recommended that she explore raw veganism due to her symptoms resembling that of "fibroids."

Meet the Founder

Photo of Melissa, Mindy and Maria

In a matter of weeks, Melissa eliminated her symptoms and found medical resolve. This led to the founder exploring plant-based foods and options over time and finally deciding to remain plant-based in 2016. After making this decision, Melissa realized how hard finding plant-based food was while at work, school, and play. When she did find food options, they were more vegetarian than vegan and were very expensive. She decided that when the time was right, she would create an on-the-go plant-based food option for people like herself - a working professional on the go who wants to make strong dietary decisions. This is the foundation and birthing place of Mindy's.

For more information on the founder, you can follow her and/or Mindy on Instagram, TikTok, Linkedin, and Threads @mindyskitchen_ca. Stay tuned for our Summer 2024 tasting tour registration! To stay updated on all things Melissa Muganzo is doing in the world, follow her on social media @muganzoentertainment.

Melissa Muganzo, pronouns she/they/sis, is the CEO and Founder of Mindy's Kitchen; a vegan food company built for customers on the go. Mindy's Kitchen specializes in nut-free, dairy-free, and gluten-free food products built for plant-based foodies with all types of schedules, workdays, and dietary needs. Melissa created Mindy's Kitchen after being diagnosed with fibroids in 2012 and being denied a hysterectomy to solve her uterine illness due to insurance policies surrounding uterine health patients based on ageism, racism, and sexism practices.

Meet the Team

Meet the team behind Mindy's Kitchen. These dedicated individuals work tirelessly to bring our vision to life, from shaping our creative direction to conducting vital food justice research. Each member plays a crucial role in representing and upholding the values that define Mindy's Kitchen as a brand. Their passion, expertise, and commitment shine through in every aspect of our work, ensuring that we continue to deliver quality while making a positive impact in the culinary world and beyond.

A smiling Asian woman with long wavy hair that transitions from dark to light brown. She's wearing a gray knit turtleneck sweater. The background is the same bright office or home workspace seen in the previous image, with plants and a desk visible.

  • Ling Luc (CMO)

    Ling Luc serves as Chief Marketing Officer for Mindy's Kitchen. She manages the website to ensure you receive all the latest news and updates about Mindy's Kitchen.

    Ling specializes in digital and web design. She enjoys creating content for various types of marketing campaigns and working with different types of people. She enjoys good food and immersing herself in new cultures.

    To connect with Ling, visit her LinkedIn profile.

A smiling young Asian woman with long dark hair wearing a white lace top. She has on a yellow sun-like headdress and yellow sun-shaped earrings. The background shows a bright office or home workspace with plants and a desk.

  • Siena F. Maen serves as the Chief of Community Impact and Engagement for Mindy’s Kitchen. With a Bachelors in Social Work from Sacramento State (2020) and a Master’s from Columbia University (2023) specializing in Leadership, Management, and Entrepreneurship for Social Justice, Siena combines academic rigor with hands-on expertise in disability advocacy, food justice research, and mental health services.

    At Mindy’s, Siena spearheads social impact initiatives, ensuring our mission of accessible, healthy plant-based options reaches and empowers diverse communities. In her spare time, you can find her adventuring in antique stores, trying different foods, dreaming of community gardens, or watching cozy content on YouTube.

    To connect with Siena, visit her LinkedIn profile.