We’re on a Mission to Turn Every Mealtime into a Moment of Nourishment, Connection, and Joy for Children and Caregivers: Tracy Skelly, Founder of Little Cocoa Bean Co.

Little Cocoa Bean Co. offers culturally diverse, fresh, and nutritious meals for babies and toddlers, designed with the next generation of parents in mind. These ready-made offerings are served in a stylish, baby-friendly café environment, creating an inviting space where parents and children can enjoy mealtime together. Through its Tot Café at the Boston Children’s Museum and community-focused initiatives, Little Cocoa Bean Co. promotes connection, learning, and care, helping families establish lifelong healthy habits.

The company was founded by Tracy Skelly.

A Personal Mission Turned Social Enterprise

Designed entirely for children and caregivers, the Tot Café at the Boston Children’s Museum defines the company’s approach to dining. In this space, families can eat, play, learn, and connect. The café reflects Little Cocoa Bean Co.’s ethos of inclusivity, education, and cultural celebration, providing not just meals but experiences that strengthen bonds and foster community.

Tracy Skelly’s journey to founding Little Cocoa Bean Co. was deeply personal. Inspired by the fresh, whole foods of her Panamanian roots and the warm, communal meals of her childhood, Tracy sought to recreate those experiences for her own children. After struggling to find nutritious baby foods that reflected her heritage, she began experimenting with recipes that incorporated traditional ingredients like papaya, plantains, chayote, and tamarind. These meals celebrated cultural diversity, introduced children to a wide array of flavors, and set the stage for healthy eating habits.

This personal mission quickly evolved into a professional one. Tracy recognized a gap in the market for baby and toddler foods that combined nutritional density with cultural authenticity. Her goal was to create meals that not only nourished but also educated, encouraging children to develop a palate that embraced diversity. From these beginnings, Little Cocoa Bean Co. was born, with a commitment to crafting products that were both wholesome and accessible.

Community, Nutrition, and Culture

Little Cocoa Bean Co. offers a wide array of fresh, ready-to-eat meals suitable for home, school, or any place children eat. Every item is carefully designed to be nutrient-rich, culturally diverse, and delicious, helping children develop a positive relationship with food early on. The company’s product line emphasizes vegetables, fruits, grains, and spices that reflect global culinary traditions, introducing children to tastes beyond standard baby foods.

The Tot Café embodies the company’s mission in a physical space. Spanning several thousand square feet within the Boston Children’s Museum, the café creates an environment where children and caregivers can explore food, play, and learning together. From interactive dining areas to educational workshops, every aspect of the café is designed to engage children and support caregivers. Tracy sees this space not merely as a restaurant but as a community hub, where families can gather, share experiences, and learn about nutrition in a hands-on way.

Tracy emphasizes that Little Cocoa Bean Co. is more than a food company; it is a movement to reimagine childhood nutrition. “We believe a strong community begins with care and connection,” she says. This philosophy extends beyond the café and product offerings. The company actively engages in initiatives to combat childhood hunger and support families facing food insecurity. Through partnerships with local organizations, Little Cocoa Bean Co. works to ensure that all children, regardless of circumstance, have access to healthy, culturally relevant food.

What’s Next for Little Cocoa Bean Co.

Little Cocoa Bean Co. innovates by bringing together cultural richness and nutritious offerings. Every product is thoughtfully crafted to balance taste, texture, and nutritional value. Recipes are tested with children and caregivers to ensure that they are both appealing and practical. The company leverages research in early childhood nutrition while staying true to cultural heritage, introducing children to ingredients that may be unfamiliar yet enriching.

Tracy envisions expansion and continued influence in early childhood nutrition. Plans include broadening the product line, opening additional café locations, and deepening community partnerships to reach more families. Tracy’s vision is not just to feed children but to cultivate experiences that instil a love of healthy eating and cultural curiosity from an early age. Every new initiative is designed to reflect the company’s core values of care, inclusion, and education.

Little Cocoa Bean Co.’s approach has already made a tangible impact. Caregivers report that children who eat Little Cocoa Bean meals are more willing to try new foods and engage in mealtime conversations. Parents feel supported in their efforts to introduce culturally diverse and nutrient-rich foods. The Tot Café has become a hub for families to share experiences, celebrate culture, and build community, reinforcing the company’s philosophy that food is a tool for connection and learning.

Tracy Skelly concludes that the success of Little Cocoa Bean Co. is measured not just in meals served but, in the connections, nurtured and the habits instilled. “We believe every child deserves access to healthy, diverse, and delicious foods. By creating environments that support families and celebrate culture, we help children develop a foundation for a lifetime of healthy eating.”

Tracy Skelly, Founder, Little Cocoa Bean Co.

We affirm our mission using positivity as our north star.