About

Jennifer Pattee - Owner 

In mid-2020 (yeah, that year...) Jennifer moved to San Pedro from Iowa.  The move took two crazy road trips to get her Mom, with two cats, and then her husband and their cat and two chinchillas.  The entourage made it and began settling in to the community. 

Fast forward to 2022 and Jennifer had the wild idea to do the Los Angeles Marathon in order to meet her goal of fund raising $5,000 in one event.  She trained for 6 months, pushed pushed pushed and did it! She raised double the amount and completed the race!

She learned that while she was ready mentally for the challenge, she really hadn't been ready physically and the race took a toll on her body.  Digestive issues, inflammation, and strains weren't going away after a few months.  Doctors found no underlying condition, and suggested a medication to help the digestive system heal, but while possibly flaring up other issues.  Jennifer asked if she could try an anti-inflammatory diet for 30 days instead and then redo the tests.  

And woo hoo! It worked! After 30 days, the labs were back in the normal range, the digestive issues were resolved, and a lot of the other inflammation had subsided. 

Around the same time, Jennifer heard that the previous owner of this shop was looking for someone to take over.  Jennifer and her husband Brenden began to form a vision of a new way that they could connect with the San Pedro community. 

After a few months, the shop was turned over and became Blend and Befriend in November, 2023.  With the name change came a new vision - a business that bridges the space between a for-profit entity and a non-profit.   We call it a "Community First" business.  Jennifer and Brenden both work in non-profit work outside of the shop, so they bring that mindset into the shop.  

We believe that a healthy community is built through partnerships, creating space where all people feel welcome, and celebrating the unique gifts and talents of everyone. 

Blend and Befriend is about blending fruits and nutritious vegatables into smoothies, onion bread, soups, and other foods, but it is also about blending ideas, cultures, cuisines, and people to create something more. 

Jennifer is excited to see what 2024 will bring as more individuals, non-profits and companies in San Pedro connect with what's happening at Blend and Befriend.  This is an exciting time in a beautiful community.  As she reflects on moving to San Pedro, the most common thing you will hear her say is, "I am happier here than I ever thought I could be to live somewhere."