diff --git a/src/aretherecookies/handler.clj b/src/aretherecookies/handler.clj
index e796c00..82d82fc 100644
--- a/src/aretherecookies/handler.clj
+++ b/src/aretherecookies/handler.clj
@@ -60,12 +60,15 @@
      (insert-quantity {:foodItemId foodItemId :quantity quantity})
      :value-fn parse-special-types)))
 
+(defn key-found? 
+  [obj key]
+  (not (str/blank? (str (get obj key)))))
 
 (defn get-missing-keys
   "returns a list of required keys which were not found on the given food item"
   [foodItem]
   (remove
-    #(get foodItem %)
+    #(key-found? foodItem %)
     [:name :placeId :latitude :longitude :category :quantity]))