Two Bend-based food startups hitting the big-time

Two Bend food makers have found a niche that is launching their products onto shelves around the country.

One is Pacific Superfood Snacks LLC, which makes kale chips that are now in about 7,000 stores, including every Walmart.

CEO and founder Sarah Pool spoke to NewsChannel 21 Wednesday about her company expanding operations to Redmond.

“We have a huge warehouse in Redmond as well, we just opened a little food product innovation center in downtown Bend, so we’ll be operating from three locations in Central Oregon,” Pool said.

The kale chip products will soon be sold at Costco and Walmart store.
She said 75 percent of its kale is grown on a local farm in Amity, Oregon.

“The food is literally being grown on a farm 100 to 150 miles away. It’s being directly trucked here and being processed,” Pool said.

To learn more, visit http://www.pacificsnacks.com.

The other fast-mover is Picky Bars, whose big announcement this week is in full below.

Thanks in part to the overwhelming support it has received by being a part of the Central Oregon community, Bend’s own Picky Bars —the energy bar company founded by professional athletes Lauren Fleshman, Jesse Thomas and Steph Bruce — announced Monday that Trader Joe’s will carry three flavors of its real food bars in all locations nationwide.

With the expansion of its products into the popular specialty grocery stores, consumers can now purchase the homegrown company’s products in more than 900 retailers across the United States.

“We are thrilled to launch our first national grocery distribution with a respected retailer that so closely matches our own ideals, style, and customer base. It’s an awesome opportunity and a massive step for this small company that we honestly wouldn’t have dreamed of 6 years ago, “said Jesse Thomas. “We’re very thankful for the support we received from the thousands of customers following our story that eventually made this a reality.”

Started as a hobby in the home kitchen in a breeding ground that rewards athletes as entrepreneurs, Picky Bars have quickly grown since their first partnership with a local Eugene retailer in 2010. In addition to Trader Joe’s, Picky Bars products can be found locally in 99 other Oregon retail locations including Whole Foods, REI, FootZone, and Fleet Feet Sports.

“I’m freaking out, I’m not gonna lie,” said Lauren Fleshman. “Trader Joe’s was where I bought the nuts and fruits for the first test batches of Picky Bars six years ago, and before long I was buying upwards of 25 bags of dry roasted slivered almonds, which always prompted the question ‘what are you making?’ in the checkout line.”

“I always imagined our combination of science, quality, and common sense would be a great fit for Trader Joe’s, but I didn’t believe it was realistic. I’m humbled and excited to see how we are received by customers.”

Trader Joe’s will carry the three most popular of Picky Bars seven flavors – Ah, Fudge Nuts!, Cookie Doughpness, and Smooth Caffeinator in all of its locations. Picky Bars are allergy friendly, gluten free, dairy free, soy free, made with organic ingredients, and 100 percent non-GMO. Each bar is balanced with a 4:1 carbs to protein ratio, making Picky Bars the ideal real food alternative for those living a healthy lifestyle.

About Picky Bars

Picky Bars creates real food products to “Fuel Great Experiences.” It was founded in 2010 in a home kitchen by a husband (Jesse Thomas), wife (Lauren Fleshman), and friend (Steph Bruce)—all professional endurance athletes—in an effort to create a real food bar built for performance, fueling and recovery.

Picky Bars are allergy friendly, gluten free, diary free, soy free, 100 percent non-GMO, and have a balanced 4:1 carb to protein ratio. The 100 percent athlete-owned business is based in the outdoor mecca of Bend, Ore.

Through wholesome products, great services, lots of fun and some quirky humor, Picky Bars strives to support, encourage, and inspire athletes of all levels to reach for their goals and live life to the fullest. Learn more at pickybars.com or follow Picky Bars on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.