WHERE HAVE YOU BEAN ALL MY LIFE? Veggie-based options are at the forefront of Michelle Thiede and Colleen Weber's co-owned business, LunchboxEC, which launched a whole bunch of to-go options amid pandemic times.

“I love when people try something they think they will hate and loves them,” said local veggie-based chef, Michelle Thiede. “I feel more driven when I am inspired. As a community, we need to inspire each other to be healthy, happy, and grow.”

Thiede is co-owner of LunchboxEC, a free-home delivery company dedicated to creating veggie-focused meal offerings, which was founded in 2019 alongside her trusty sidekick Colleen Weber.

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Food makes people happy, even on a gloomy day.

Michelle Thiede

co-owner of LunchboxEC

Michelle Thiede is one of the few vegan/vegetarian chefs in the area, focusing on fresh, healthy options for folks who live with veggie-based diets.

Name: Michelle Thiede

What’s your passion? Soup.

What draws you to food? Food makes people happy, even on a gloomy day.

What place in town considers you a “regular”? LGF Truck at the Saturday farmers market at Phoenix Park.

What is one of the best cultural experiences you’ve had in the Chippewa Valley? Hosting cooking classes at Forage, when I was part owner.

Death bed, one meal from a local restaurant, what would it be? Tokyo Steak and Scallops or Court’n House Cheeseburger, can’t decide.

Water Street or downtown? Downtown.

What do you think the Chippewa Valley needs? I would love an indoor market in winter, where our food trucks could have a full season, and we can continue to buy fresh produce and locally sourced items all year as part of a collaborative community.

You can learn more about LunchboxEC at www.lunchboxec.com.