After her conversion to Islam in her 20s, West Philadelphian Muslim woman Lavaughn Jones struggled to find halal meals.

To make it easier for her and others, Jones decided to create affordable halal meals that accommodate Muslim requirements and combine their American roots.  

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“I’m going to make an easy halal tasty meal for single parents, busy moms,” Jones told CBC News.

“There’s a lot of misconceptions. People think that Muslims are just foreigners but no, you have millions of Muslim Americans that were born in America.”

As only 5% of frozen meals are halal, Jones’s halal meals cater to the growing number of Muslim American families wanting a home-cooked style meal.

“Although Islam is our religion, we still have an American culture,” Jones said.

“Made with Love”

Working with a ShopRite business incubator program, Jones’ Aruba’s Halal Kitchen meals finally hit the frozen food section in April inside 10 grocery stores.

Describing her meals as “made with love” Jones made sure they can be affordable to working-class Muslim families.

“So, I wanted to have that option to go into the grocery store and buy this meal with my food stamps card,” Jones said.

“I’ve experienced it. I know other parents have experienced the same thing. Here you go girl, or here you go dad. I know the struggle. This is for you.”

Halal is an Arabic word that means “permissible.” The concept of halal has traditionally applied to food.

Muslims should only eat meat from livestock slaughtered by a sharp knife from their necks, and the name of Allah, the Arabic word for God, must be mentioned.