Nourish was founded by Kalle LeMone and Chef Kimber Dean, two women brought together by community, wellness, and—unexpectedly—chocolate truffles at a yoga class.

Originally from St. Joseph, Missouri, Kalle came to Columbia to earn her MBA, built a career in pharmaceutical sales, and ultimately felt called to create something more aligned with her passion for health. Kimber, a professionally trained chef from California and author of Happy Food Cookbook, had recently moved to Columbia and was crafting plant‑based, allergen‑friendly recipes that immediately caught Kalle’s attention.

Their shared vision was clear: Create a place where clean eating felt comforting, accessible, and genuinely delicious.

But sourcing ingredients that met their uncompromising standards proved challenging. So they chose a different path: Keep the menu small. Make everything in‑house. Source locally. Use every ingredient fully. Compost everything possible.

In January 2026, Stephens College acquired Nourish Café + Market, opening an exciting new chapter rooted in real‑world learning, community impact, and student experience. Stephens’ purchase continues the café’s legacy while expanding its reach and purpose.

Under Stephens College ownership, we have maintained our full commitment to a menu free from gluten, soy, corn, refined sugar, preservatives, and inflammatory oils.

• Since acquiring, Nourish has provided opportunities for Stephens College students to gain hands-on experience in:

  • Supply chain and vendor relations

  • Operations and customer experience

  • Digital marketing and social media

  • Branding, design, and storytelling

  • Business planning, management, and leadership

Stephens College faculty have been able to embed course assignments, capstones and internships directly into Nourish operations. This partnership blends Nourish’s mission with Stephens’ longstanding dedication to experiential education and community engagement. Together, we’re cultivating the next generation of wellness‑minded leaders, creatives, and entrepreneurs.

At Nourish Cafe and Market, we are driven by a singular mission: to feed our community organic healthy food while fueling the future of students.

Our Mission & Model

We operate as a non-profit organization with a unique purpose. Every dollar of proceeds generated at Nourish Cafe and Market goes directly toward funding Stephens College student scholarships. When you dine with us or shop in our market, you are making a direct investment in education and helping students achieve their academic goals. 

Donation Requests

We are deeply honored when community organizations think of Nourish as a potential partner for their fundraising efforts. We recognize the vital work being done by so many incredible groups in our area, and we are grateful to be considered.

However, because our revenue is already strictly designated for student scholarships, we are unable to fulfill requests for cash donations, gift cards, or in-kind contributions to other organizations. Diverting funds would directly impact our ability to provide financial aid to our students.

Community Partnerships

While we are unable to provide financial or in-kind donations, we remain committed to being an active and engaged community partner. We proudly support local initiatives in non-monetary ways, including participating in and promoting Downtown District events and offering space when available to host community gatherings and collaborative opportunities. We value meaningful partnerships that strengthen our local community while remaining aligned with our mission.

Our Wish for You

While we cannot offer financial support, we wish you tremendous success in your efforts. We are inspired by the passion and dedication of our community partners and thank you for your understanding of our commitment to student success.