Edenesque is a plant-based milk company based in New York State that is reimagining what it means to nourish people, communities, and the planet. Founded by chef and holistic nutritionist Leslie Woodward, Edenesque creates chef-crafted dairy alternatives using whole, nutrient-rich ingredients sourced from local farms. These plant milks are clean, indulgent, and made without fillers, gums, preservatives, or cane sugar. But the story of Edenesque is about much more than oat and pistachio milk. At its heart, Edenesque is a mission-driven company dedicated to social justice, food sovereignty, and healing, powered by love.
Edenesque began as a one-woman operation at local farmers markets but quickly found a community of people who believed in its message: that food should be nourishing not just for our bodies, but also for the communities and ecosystems we are a part of. Today, Edenesque products are on the shelves of Whole Foods and featured in all 24 Joe Coffee cafés across New York City. As it grows, Edenesque remains firmly rooted in its founding principles, supporting regenerative farming, inclusive employment, and accessible nutrition.
The Edenesque Origin StoryÂ
For Leslie Woodward, food has always been about care. A Le Cordon Bleu trained chef and certified holistic nutritionist, Leslie also studied sociology and the honors program at Columbia University, giving her a deep understanding of how food, culture, and systemic inequality intersect. Her culinary journey included cooking at elite restaurants like Roy’s in Hawaii and Restaurant Daniel in New York City, working as a private chef across the U.S., and serving as a culinary instructor and Executive Chef for the President of Columbia University. These experiences sharpened her culinary skills, but it was her own lived experience that gave rise to Edenesque.
Leslie grew up with limited resources and faced challenges related to childhood trauma, food insecurity, and systemic barriers. She also encountered moments when support from others, especially her beloved grandmother and spiritual mentors, was essential. Their love and guidance became the blueprint for the kind of healing Leslie now channels into Edenesque. She built the company on a foundation of compassion, equity, and regeneration. It is her profound hope to create products that are not only delicious and nourishing but also contribute to social change.
Under her leadership, Edenesque has emerged as a company that supports both individual and community wellness. From employing justice-impacted and disabled team members to advancing a replicable model for food justice, Edenesque is proof that a business built on love can deliver systemic impact.
How Edenesque Is Making A Positive Impact
Edenesque crafts a variety of high-performance, plant-based milks, including Barista Blend Pistachio Milk, Unsweetened Oat Milk, and Barista Blend Oat Milk. Each product is designed to perform beautifully in coffee and tea, with a creamy texture and frothy finish. What truly sets Edenesque apart is its commitment to using the highest concentration of whole ingredients available on the market. With no additives, gums, oils, or refined sugars, these milks deliver superior taste and nutrition. They are a source of protein, calcium, and vitamins A and D, and are crafted to be as health-supportive as they are indulgent.
Beyond the product line, Edenesque’s Food Insecurity Initiative is a flagship program dedicated to tackling hunger and nutrition access at the local level. Rooted in principles of dignity, autonomy, and justice, the initiative is designed to meet people where they are. It recognizes that food insecurity does not stem from personal failure, but from complex structural inequities such as gentrification, chronic illness, underemployment, and the erosion of public support systems.
Through strategic partnerships with community organizations and regenerative farms, including Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood, Columbia County Recovery Kitchen, Long Table Harvest, Wild Seed Farm, and Sweet Freedom Farm, Edenesque delivers high-quality, plant-based foods to vulnerable families across New York. The initiative includes regular donations of Edenesque milks, community outreach, and a commitment to at least $40,000 in annual financial contributions until the company reaches 1 percent net revenue. A dedicated program director ensures that the initiative is scalable and replicable in new regions.
The impact of this work is felt across multiple levels. In 2024, Edenesque donated over 1,200 units of milk for inclusion in weekly grocery distributions. The initiative also helped increase local spending and employment, improved community health outcomes, and strengthened sustainable agriculture in the region. By creating a circular system where local farms, businesses, and families all benefit, Edenesque is helping build a more resilient and equitable food system.
How You Can Support Edenesque
You can support Edenesque by purchasing their plant-based milks at participating retailers and cafés, sharing their mission with your network, or partnering with them through the Food Insecurity Initiative. Whether you are a barista, chef, distributor, or nonprofit leader, Edenesque welcomes collaboration from anyone who believes that food should be good for people and the planet.
