Hosts Sarah Masoni & Sarah Marshall are joined by Co-Host Joel Carlson, Facility Manager at Mission Mountain Food Enterprise Center, to meet Tiffany Sybert of Cherrywood Orchard, growing Flathead cherries in Bigfork, Montana. Learn what it takes to grow these cherries, focusing on regenerative practices and creating delicious cherry products from jams and sauces to skin care! Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Call our hotline with questions for Sarah and Sarah at 503-395-8858. If you would like to support our show, write us a review, share episodes with friends, or subscribe to our Patreon.Producer: Sarah Marshall of The Joy of Creation Production HouseAudio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo designed: Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch 

Hosts Sarah Masoni & Sarah Marshall are joined by Co-Host Joel Carlson, Facility Manager at Mission Mountain Food Enterprise Center, to meet David Brodie of Hot Hounds Sauce, making hot sauces in Kalispell, Montana. Learn what it takes to make handcrafted hot sauces utilizing high quality peppers! Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Call our hotline with questions for Sarah and Sarah at 503-395-8858. If you would like to support our show, write us a review, share episodes with friends, or subscribe to our Patreon.Producer: Sarah Marshall of The Joy of Creation Production HouseAudio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo designed: Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch 

Hosts Sarah Masoni & Sarah Marshall are joined by Co-Host Hailey Vine, Food & Agriculture Development Officer at the Montana Department of Agriculture, to meet Mara Veale of VOXY Shrub, making delicious shrub tonic in Montana from preserved Flathead cherries. Learn what it takes to make these refreshing tonics that can be used in a variety of ways! Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

Hosts Sarah Masoni & Sarah Marshall are joined by  Crystal Manuel of Gruff Grains, making Ancient Grain Grits sourced from their 106 year old family farm nestled within Montana's Golden Triangle. Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

Hosts Sarah Masoni & Sarah Marshall are joined by Hailey Vine, Food & Agriculture Development Officer at the Montana Department of Agriculture. Listen in as they discuss food entrepreneurship and businesses in the great state of Montana, as well as the 11 development centers they've built to support them!  Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

Hosts Sarah Masoni & Sarah Marshall are joined by Co-Host Janna Verburg-Hamlett of University of Idaho and TechHelp to meet  Brett Stevenson of Hillside Grain, making fresh flour in Idaho. Learn what it takes to make delicious, nutritious, fresh flour, from family grown and stone milled grain. Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

Hosts Sarah Masoni & Sarah Marshall are joined by Co-Host Janna Verburg-Hamlett of University of Idaho and TechHelp to meet Jessica Norris of Dilly's Pickled Veggies, making delicious pickled veggies in Idaho. Learn what it takes to make these flavor packed, simple, and fresh pickled veggies! Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

Hosts Sarah Masoni & Sarah Marshall are joined by Co-Host Janna Verburg-Hamlett of University of Idaho and TechHelp to meet Sevana Saroyan of Hummuna Hummus, making hummus in Idaho. Learn what it takes to make real food with real flavor! Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

Hosts Sarah Masoni & Sarah Marshall are joined by Co-Host Colette DePhelps, Area Extension Educator, Community Food Systems at the University of Idaho, to meet Joni Kindwall-Moore of Snacktivist Foods, making super delicious superfoods in Idaho. Learn what it takes to make these simple to prepare, top-9 allergen-free, good for the planet and good for the whole family foods! Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

Hosts Sarah Masoni & Sarah Marshall are joined by Co-Host Janna Verburg-Hamlett of University of Idaho and TechHelp to meet Jan Zarr of Oma & Popies, making seasoning sauces and spice blends in Idaho. Learn what it takes to make delicious, easy meals with their amazing flavors that will have everyone wanting more! Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

Hosts Sarah Masoni & Sarah Marshall are joined by Co-Host Janna Verburg-Hamlett of University of Idaho and TechHelp to meet Ladd & Zoey Wahlen of Roots Potato Chips, making farm fresh potato chips in Idaho. Learn what it takes to make farmer grown, farmer made potato chips with real, all natural ingredients. Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

Hosts Sarah Masoni & Sarah Marshall are joined by Co-Host Janna Verburg-Hamlett of University of Idaho and TechHelp to meet Melissa and Briana of Free Spirits Beverage Company, making bespoke micro-craft batched beverages in Idaho. Learn what it takes to make beverages with ingredients grown and foraged naturally, organically, and holistically. Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

Hosts Sarah Masoni & Sarah Marshall are joined by Co-Host, Katie Baker of FARE Idaho to meet Travis Ballard of Ballard Cheese, making cheese in Gooding, Idaho. Learn what it takes to make delicious, handmade cheeses on his family farm. Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

Hosts Sarah Masoni & Sarah Marshall are joined by Co-Host Janna Verburg-Hamlett of University of Idaho and TechHelp to meet McKinley Dixon of Northern Latitude Foods making wild rice in Idaho. Learn what it takes to make beautifully wild, beyond organic, non-intervention food. Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

Hosts Sarah Masoni & Sarah Marshall are joined by Co-Host Mike Gabel of Colorado State University to meet Aaron Wagner of Elevation Gourmet, making unique and healthy ketchup in Colorado. Learn what it takes to make simple, all natural, and non-GMO ketchup in the Mile High City. Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

Hosts Sarah Masoni & Sarah Marshall are joined by Co-Host Mike Gabel of Colorado State University to meet McKay Anderson of Field Strips, making fruit strips packed with organic fruit, veggies, and coconut oil in Colorado. Learn what it takes to make nutritious, delicious snacks for every adventure. Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

Hosts Sarah Masoni & Sarah Marhall are joined by Co-Host Mike Gabel of Colorado State University to meet Rachna Rawat of Hanuman Chai making Ayurvedic chai and herbal teas in Colorado. Learn what it takes to make 100% organic, Ayurvedic chai and herbal teas, made with expertise, care, and love.         Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

Hosts Sarah Masoni & Sarah Marshall are joined by Co-Host Mike Gabel of Colorado State University to meet Sam Nelson of Bar-U-Eat making organic granola bars in Colorado. Learn what it takes to make an all natural, organic, granola bar for adventuring. Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

#190 Kristine Carey, Naturally Boulder: Galvanizing the natural products industry through education, networking, and celebrations for the Colorado community.Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast.  Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers  Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design  Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts Sarah Masoni and Sarah Marshall Our hosts: Twitter - @sarahmasoni and @spicymarshall, Instagram - @masoniandmarshall.Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor is Allon Beausoleil Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball DesignProduction assistant is Chelsea LancasterQuarantine Project Hot Sauces can be found in a scattering of stores across the country or online at: https://www.quarantineprojectsauce.com  Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

Use coupon code: meaningfulhttps://www.sungheekitchen.com Follow Sun Ghee on IG: @sungheekitchen  Contact Mike Gabel: [email protected]://agsci.colostate.edu/spur/food-innovation-centerProduced by The Joy Of Creation Production House Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts Sarah Masoni and Sarah Marshall Audio engineer Hailey Bowers Production Coordinator Kayleen Veatch Show logo by Anton Kimball of Kimball DesignContact our hosts: Intagram @sarahmasoni @spicymarshall @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast  Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

Contact Mike Gabel at: [email protected] out more about CSU’s Spur campus at https://csuspur.orgContact our hosts: Instagram: @sarahmasoni @spicymarshall @marshallshautesauce @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

Find cloudpeakCloud Peak Cultures on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cloudpeakcultures/. Co-Host Melissa Hemken: [email protected] https://www.cwc.edu/agri-business/ Our hosts Instagram: @sarahmasoni @spicymarshall @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

It was Swiss relatives, the Woofley side of the Jon Shumway’s family, settling in the Star Valley of Wyoming in the early 1900s that inspired the original farming success that is now Shumway Farms. Then Jon Shumway’s Great Grandfather, the Shumway side, merged with the Woofley’s, who were dairy farmers and he was responsible for the big push to expand the farm. Now Jon is the founder of Shumway Farms, a family farm raising grass fed cattle, pigs and sheep and producing their harvested products. Those products are raw milk, flavored raw milk, raw cream, ice cream, yogurt, beef, pork, and free-range eggs. As Jon puts it, they are quite possibly the last organic dairy selling to the public in the area. That’s because agricultural land in the traditionally cheese-making valley is fast disappearing. Being at the base of Jackson Hole, Wyoming has made the beautiful valley “discovered” by the public and development is taking place even as our interview is being conducted. The majority of the product line is from milk and the company recently became a licensed facility. The operation has an on-farm lab which is an important part of the food safety program. They test every batch of milk after bottling to make sure it's safe before being distributed to customers. Cows are milked in what is known as a harringbone style milking parlor. They can fit 12 cows in the barn at one time (6 on each side). While one side is being milked the other side is being prepped for milking. One of the more popular items is their yogurt, which has an interesting story. Jon’s brother came back from a trip east having discovered skyr, and Icelandic cream product similar to yogurt. It’s a full-cream, strained yogurt and is mixed with pure maple syrup. At first, people didn’t buy the product as skyr was not a household name and sales were thin. So the company started calling it yogurt and sales did increase. However, there were loyal customers who asked “Where’s the Skyr?” even though the product was exactly the same, only under a different name. On their website, you’ll see there is still skyr available. With all their dairy products, whey is a big byproduct. What to do with it? Currently, it is tossed out. The company is so busy keeping up with demand that turning it into cheese is out of their bandwidth. On top of that, their whey is a sour whey, not the usual sweet whey, so it doesn’t even work for pig food, as the pigs won’t eat it. At some point, however, the family will add the machinery to process the whey and keep with their philosophy of responsible farming. On a side note, when informed by Sarah Masoni that one of Meaningful Market Place’s earlier guests turned their whey into vodka, it definitely caught Jon’s attention. The family loves to welcome all kinds of groups to the farm for visits and personalized tours. They regularly host school field trips, large family groups, professional organizations, and others to carry the banner for responsible, organic farming and its products. Or as their website says, more than organic. Customers in the local area can find Shumway Farms products in select grocery stores which can be found on the company website: https://www.shumwayfarms.com/. You also can order from their website, as the company has partnered with Beck Ranch to handle their shipping, including their ice cream! Follow them on: IG: @shumwayfarmswyo FB: shumwayfarms. Our hosts: Twitter - @sarahmasoni and @spicymarshall, Instagram - @masoniandmarshall. Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

“It’s hard to find a good tasting salsa that doesn’t look like spaghetti sauce”, says Richard Rhoades, founder of Red Pony Salsa, Clearmont, Wyoming, our guest today. Roughly 30 years ago, Richard planted around 30 different types of peppers in his garden, the impetus of creating a great salsa. Adding to his tomato crop, Richard experimented with other sauces and whatever exotic spice or vegetable that was on hand. However, moving to a commercial salsa meant he needed to focus on the ingredients that were accessible and in quantity. Jalapeno peppers and serrano peppers were abundant and Richard liked the flavors, so he spent about five years playing with the recipes until he got to a salsa to his liking. Richard then shared his concoction with friends and one in particular was Craig Johnson. Craig is the author of the novel, Longmire, which was turned into a Netflix series. Craig urged Richard to begin selling commercially and that was the start of the business. How those two met is a story in itself. Richard has always been an avid hunter, which had brought him to Wyoming at the age of 17. From there he had opened a Taxidermy studio in 1980, and also began outfitting hunters from the mountains to the open prairies. His personal hunts have taken him to Europe, Africa, Canada, Alaska, Mexico, and several US states. Craig had initially visited Richard as a customer of Richard’s taxidermy and outfitting shop and their friendship began. It was in 2015 that Richard began to produce the salsa on a commercial scale. Richard had gotten his label with ingredients certified by Colorado State University and had things lined up. Right away, the product line grew. To avoid the spaghetti sauce look and keep the salsa thick, Richard drained the salsa of excess liquid. But he found the juice was so good he couldn’t throw it away. At that point, the makings for a Bloody Mary Mix was created. So at this point, Richard had everything nailed down for the salsa and mix, ready to produce and bottle. Everything except a name. Then one night, after much debate, and many Rainier and scotches, Craig's wife Judy, suggested he use the Red Pony name, from Craig’s books, and the company was set to launch. Originally, Richard made all the salsa but of course, ramping up volume meant larger facilities. He began with a co-packer in Denver who became too expensive. He then moved to one in California who was great but Richard’s company was too small for them to work with. He’s now talking to two others, one in California and one in Florida in order to have one on each coast. Such is the life of a foodpreneur. Red Pony Salsa is available in many stores in Wyoming and starting to branch into other states. Red Pony Salsa has three flavors, mild, medium and hot, plus the Red Pony Bloody Mary Mix is all available online at: https://www.redponysalsa.com/. Follow Richard on FB: Red Pony Salsa Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

"It’s snowing in Wyoming so according to Melissa Hemken, that means springtime. The latest business news from Melissa is a series of statewide startup challenges for entrepreneurs and two of the four winners in her area were food businesses. Part of that strong Wyoming food business culture is our guest today, Ian McGregor, co-founder of Farmstead Cider. Are they the one and only Wyoming hard cider company? Ian says they are definitely the loudest and possibly the only one. He also hopes there will be more as it is good to have a community with common interests and a place to share best practices. The impetus for the company is not the usual story. Ian and co-founder Orion Bellorado sold pies at farmers markets in the summer just for fun. Then Ian spent time in the Napa Valley, California working in the wine industry before returning to Wyoming. Since he and Orion enjoyed working together, they started brainstorming ideas. Wine making was not practical, as grapes wouldn’t survive the Wyoming climate. They never considered apples as the only ones they had ever noticed were the small crab apples. Then the light dawned on Ian as he noticed – for the first time – the abundance of apple trees in Jackson Hole. Once they decided on cider as a business and since the trees were planted by homesteaders, Farmstead Cider became the name. Then they randomly had a dinner party where a bear biologist was a guest. When questioned by the biologist about their business and how they were harvesting apples, Ian and Orion were told there was a problem in the area: Bears getting into the many apple trees of the residents. The biologist went on to say there was a wildlife budget to address the problem, and if Ian and Orion could use the money to harvest more apples, the bear predicament could be alleviated. Seeing their business could remove the living space conflict between people and bears while creating a valuable business as well, the company took off with their memorable moto: Save Bears. Drink Cider. On their website, anyone in their local area can add their apple trees to their map and give permission for the company to enter their property and harvest their apples, removing the enticing draw for the local bear community. Ian’s time in the wine industry was invaluable, as they discovered tannins and other properties of the crab apples that created delicious and unique tastes. The apple’s properties come from the ancient glacial soils, extreme sun, and cool nights all combine to make Wyoming a fantastic place to grow, harvest, and taste unique cider apple varieties including the high-tannin crab apples. Having rediscovered forgotten 150+ year old apple trees and planting new orchards, the founders are teaching people about high altitude farming along the way. Ian and Orion also take a small batch approach to cider-making. Wild fermenting slowly at cold temperatures and allowing the ciders to age in oak barrels mellows out the high acidity and tannins of crab apples. The result is a hard cider that’s smooth, dry, and full of flavor. Farmstead Cider is also the first commercial cidery in Wyoming in over 100 years. Ian’s time in the wine industry also shows through in the labeling of the hard ciders. Their bottles and labels mirror upscale wine bottles and the company has enjoyed winning awards with some of their varieties. You can join one of their clubs. Farmstead Cider Clubs offer a range of special releases and classic ciders. Cider shipments are automatically sent at a discount, four times per year: February, May, August, and November. Each shipment features two to four cider selections chosen by our cider makers, with the rest chose by the member. You also can shop at their store the next time you’re in Jackson Hole, or order online at their website: https://farmsteadwyo.com/, they ship to all 50 states. Follow them on IG: @farmsteadcider. Our hosts: Twitter - @sarahmasoni and @spicymarshall, Instagram - @masoniandmarshall." Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

Before starting the interview, some great news from our Wyoming host, Melissa Hemken. The Wyoming Business Council in conjunction with USDA’s Mountain Regional Business Center has created an online directory of Wyoming food and drink. More great resources from RFBC. Today’s guests from the southern part of Wyoming are Lindsey Washkoviak and Ben Elzay, founders of Medicine Bow Creamery at Brush Creek Ranch. It’s a big name of a big operation. It began 12 years ago when Lindsey and Ben fell in love over food. Lindsey is a Wisconsin native, so cheese is part of her heritage. Ben is a Wyoming native and hunting, fishing, gardening and the processing of food is his background, so their union was destiny. A year after meeting, they began making goat cheese leasing part of a friend’s farm to feed and milk their goats. But when the Wyoming Food Freedom Act passed and they could make value-added products in their unlicensed kitchen, they started Slow Goat Farm. Volume grew to the point in 2017 they needed to grow past their own home. Then in 2019, Brush Creek Ranch contacted them because the Ranch had put in an infrastructure to have a food-to-table program, including craft goat cheeses. The Ranch initially wanted Slow Goat Farm to supply them milk, but Slow Goat could not legally sell them milk, so the conversation turned to cheese and creamery production. Brush Creek wanted to start such a program and since Lindsey and Ben already had the business dialed in, it was a natural to have the couple start up the business inside Brush Creek. The timing was excellent as the couple helped finish the design of the creamery and cheese facilities then fell right into production. COVID lockdown slowed things temporarily but the license came through in 2021 for their new company, Medicine Bow Creamery at Brush Creek Ranch. Every business has startup pangs and Medicine Bow has had theirs. When cheese ages, it needs a specific level of heat and humidity. Wyoming is a dry climate and the first batches of goat cheese did not turn out as planned. However, the company has enjoyed strong sales with feta being a big favorite. Interestingly, Brush Creek Ranch is the biggest client, buying all the yogurt that is produced and much of the other production as well. But as Medicine Bow Creamery ramps up production, the couple is confident they will be reaching markets will outside of the Ranch. The couple is excited about all the varieties of cheese they are making as they experiment to find the cheeses that will be most popular when they are able to expand their marketplace. And the chefs at Brush Creek are terrific sounding boards. A quick look at the Brush Creek Ranch: Going back to its founding in 1884, the ranch has stayed alive by evolving into a luxury resort that has upheld its past and western ranch heritage. The spirit of recreation, adventure, and good times shared together prevails, from famous barn and campfire cookouts to cattle drives and fishing on the renowned Brush Creek. This authentic heritage is visibly apparent and despite a plethora of modern amenities, Brush Creek Ranch is still a true working cattle ranch. Lindsey and Ben keep those standards high with their herd of Alpine, Nubian, and Mini Nigerian goats. Guests can meet and learn how the milking process works from the Dairy Managers, play with the kids, shepherd the herd through a relaxing pasture walk, and get a behind the scenes tour of the goat operation. Their award-winning creamery masterfully instills complex flavors into a variety of cheeses, blending old-world and old-west traditions. Their fresh and lightly aged cheeses lack a strong “goaty” flavor due to special diets and gentle milk handling practices. Visit the website at: https://www.brushcreekranch.com/the-farm/medicine-bow-creamery. Follow them on: Instagram andFacebook: Slow Goat Farm Our hosts: Twitter - @sarahmasoni and @spicymarshall, Instagram - @masoniandmarshall. Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

It’s the middle of calving season for ranchers, and if you don’t know what that means, you’re not alone. Tyler and Angela McCann fifth generation ranchers and owners of Wyoming Cowboy Cuts can tell you. It’s when the cows are giving birth to their baby calves and as Tyler says, averages about three a day. That’s intense work and Tyler admits he’s rather tired as he gives his interview. Calves are born and raised on the undulating sagebrush steppe of the family’s Hancock Ranch and when weaned from their mother cows, travel 72 miles to Tyler and Angela McCann’s farm. There, the beef cattle reside in irrigated pastures, and, in addition to their grass diet, eat a corn, oat and barley grain supplement. The McCanns’ daughters, the family ranch’s sixth generation, often pet the beef cattle at their twice daily grain feedings.Here’s the family story on how all this came about. Angela’s grandfather and grandmother purchased the ranchlands where, today, the McCanns’ cattle graze. When Angela’s grandparents married, her grandfather owned a saddle and bedroll, and her grandmother had a few cooking pots and a sewing machine. The McCanns’ honor their family’s hard work by furthering the ranch business’s environmental and financial sustainability for the next generation — their daughters. The family is the epitome of the American Dream. Technically, the ranch is a commercial beef herd raising a mix of Red Angus, Black Angus and Hereford cattle. The idea of “finishing beef” started about 12 years ago when Tyler and Angela married. Finishing is a process of essentially fattening up the cattle with the corn and grain feed instead of selling off the cattle after only grazing them in the pasture. Deciding that they would be losing money on the grazed cattle by selling them at auction, they chose to keep and finish the cattle and found the taste after processing was incredibly good. That led to the path of selling their choice beef direct to the public and eventually added pork and lamb to the product line. Business must be good, as a look at their website shows they are sold out of almost every offering. The company will ship their products, but shipping from central Wyoming poses some challenges. Luckily, the McCann’s have experienced such high sales locally that they haven’t had to do much shipping. The process of landing that delicious piece of beef on someone’s plate is quite an odyssey. The McCann’s time their calving for the spring of the year and after the calves reach around six weeks of age, the branding activity begins. That’s when the company has a solid count of future cattle and the mothers will then continue to raise their calves through the summer. In the fall, the company begins gathering the herd in the pasture, which is 56 square miles in size. The cattle are in pairs, mother and calf, so the calves need to be weaned away then sorted into steers and heifers (boys and girls for us beginners). The ranchers then select the best heifers to keep breeding then sell the majority of steers to a backgrounder, someone who will take the steers from their weight of a little over 500 pounds and put them in a yearling program, meaning keeping them in pasture another summer. The McCann’s also take the cattle they keep and put them in the same program where the beef will grow to the 850-950 pound range. They are then brought to the pasture for the finishing stage, being grain fed twice a day and checked carefully for any maladies. Occasionally, the lucky ones even receive a name (check the website). The company has found that the grasses in their pastures produce a unique flavor and have been experimenting with the combination of grasses and cross-breeding to offer multiple flavors of their products. When products are available, buy online at: https://www.wyomingcowboycuts.com/. Follow them on IG: @wyomingcowboycuts, FB: @wyomingcowboycuts Our hosts: Twitter - @sarahmasoni and @spicymarshall, Instagram - @masoniandmarshall. Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

Today, we welcome a fifth generation farmer, Sara Woods of Wyoming Heritage Grains. Wyoming is great for spreading out and having lots of elbow room to be a farmer, as the population is not huge nor all that concentrated. The family came out to Wyoming in the early 1900s as homesteaders and their current farm, located in Northwest Wyoming, 70 miles east of Yellowstone, was established in 1946. They have grown just about every commodity crop that exists and also raise beef cattle and alfalfa hay. They are focused on regenerative practices and use multiple species of cover crops and mob grazing to ensure rich biodiversity, and healthy soils. As an interesting note, the land once belonged to Buffalo Bill Cody, and was used as a Country club at one point in time. Irrigation became possible from the Shoshone Water Project from 1899-1947,and the water is fed by the Yellowstone Eco-system. The family farm had started a malting company a few years ago and sold to beverage brewers quite successfully. The pandemic put a hold on that business, but the farm began milling flour as the lockdown put a huge demand on that commodity. Sara left the farm at adulthood, but after having a corporate life and kids, she desired a slower lifestyle. So Sara quit her corporate job and returned as the mill had become a thriving business. It turned out to be a very steep learning curve for Sara as producing flour is not the simple process it appears to be from the outside. The company now offers five to six different grains from their mill and their equipment has been upgraded as the company expands and becomes more efficient. Sara also has gone down the proverbial entrepreneur rabbit holes, experimenting with heirloom vegetables, varieties of animals and other commodities that in the end were not good business ventures. Sara points to our changing diet as a driver for their choices of grains. After World War II, wheat was hybridized in order to feed a growing population. That phenomenon has created a very large population of people who are now sensitive to gluten, so that has served to take wheat out of the mix of grains that can be raised and processed for Wyoming Heritage Grains. Now the older varieties of grains are more tolerable, but of course the yield per acre is smaller than the hybridized wheat, so it becomes a price/quantity/quality puzzle for Sara and the family. The big breakthrough has been finding customers who could not eat grains previously and can now eat Wyoming Heritage Grains every day. Filling that market segment of people who cannot tolerate wheat but want the “wheat experience” has been the family’s success to date. For example, their White Sonora grain was originally brought to the Americas in the 1500s and has been very easy to digest for people with gluten sensitivity. And since the company makes a pancake mix out of the flour, it’s a real treat for every family. Wyoming Heritage Grains also sells Einkhorn grain and flour, a grain that has stayed essentially the same for 10,000 years. The family also has experimented with red and blue corn kernels. There is some great news about cooperation amongst food producers who care about the consumer who is eating what they produce. The family communicates with other millers to coordinate what is being grown and milled to make sure consumers are supplied with all the healthy food they desire. You can find their products in farmers markets in Cody and others around Wyoming. They also are about to be stocked in Bayard Grocery stores. Be forgiving when buying online from their website, as it is being re-built and all the recipes were deleted in the process: https://www.wyomingheritagegrains.com/. Follow them on IG, FB and TikTok: wyomingheritagegrains. Our hosts: Twitter - @sarahmasoni and @spicymarshall, Instagram - @masoniandmarshall. Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

As the Meaningful Marketplace Podcast Show continues its mission connecting food entrepreneurs with resources for success, we explore the six-state Regional Food Business Center one state at a time. Having spent the first two months of this year with Oregon foodpreneurs, we begin learning from Wyoming’s best by joining with co-co host Melissa Hemken from Central Wyoming College. Melissa is the community food systems specialist at the college. Her role is to support market infrastructure and sales channels, boosting food companies from their current level to their next level. Wyoming has a state law that is a big help to entrepreneurs by allowing their cottage industry to flourish. Sounding similar to the Tennessee law discussed in episode #177, entrepreneurs can sell directly from their kitchen to the end consumer without licensing or inspection. The entrepreneur also can sell on consignment through a retailer, expanding their reach far past traditional farmers market sales. Melissa’s program also has put on well-attended multi-day workshops touching on all aspects of the food industry from farming to production to consumer acceptance. Today, the trio is interviewing Daniel Stewart, founder of High Country Fungus offering functional mushroom products for everyday living. They are a small, family-owned and operated business in Riverton, Wyoming and their goal is to offer the highest quality mushroom infused products plus fun merchandise. A physics major in college, Daniel was taking a botany class in 2012 at Washington State University. On an outdoor hike with a group of friends and family in Idaho one of the party came running up with their hat full of morel mushrooms, talking excitedly about all sorts of recipes and what they planned to do with them that week. Daniel had never seen a mushroom before and was fascinated. That moment was Daniel’s "ah-hah!" moment and sparked his continued love and curiosity for mushrooms. Idaho was a perfect spot for mushrooms to grow and while Daniel was working in a restaurant, he began foraging for them. He joined an association, started reading books and began introducing mushrooms into the restaurant. Daniel subsequently moved to Missoula, Montana and had been thinking about starting his own company for some time. He started his first company there in 2019 supplying mushrooms and offering not only mushrooms but also the necessary products for cultivating mushrooms. Then the “roadblock” hit, as happens to all entrepreneurs. It was the beginning of the foraging season for the business. Not only did COVID begin to hit, but while out foraging, Daniel stepped in a wasps’ nest, then blew out his knee running away, requiring surgery. Moment of truth: Keep moving forward to quit? For Daniel, he used the recovery time to think about his next move. The business did not survive, having missed the foraging season, so he and his family moved to central Wyoming, where his wife grew up. It was a high desert climate as opposed to the rain forest Daniel had experienced before. So naturally, he turned to indoor cultivation, which the scientist in him loved as it opened up a whole new world to explore. This was in April of 2021 and started in Daniel’s garage. Daniel has been fortunate to have many mentors along the way and encourages all entrepreneurs to find and work with a mentor if possible. High Country Fungus products are USDA Certified Organic, 100% Mushroom Fruiting Body Extracts. Their mix is made of Lion's Mane, Cordyceps, Turkey Tail, Reishi and Chaga. This mix is at the core of their lifestyle and the foundation of their infusions. The High Five Mix is for all-day energy and clarity; reduced inflammation, bloating, and over all wellness. Shop their products on their website: https://highcountryfungus.com/, Follow them on IG @high_country_fungus and FB@highcountryfungus. Our hosts: Twitter - @sarahmasoni and @spicymarshall, Instagram - @masoniandmarshall. Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

In this episode, our hosts interview yet another Oregon State University, Food Innovation Center “graduate”, Iliana Maura, Founder of the company that bears her name, Iliana Maura. The company produces dairy-free products for those who wish to or need to avoid dairy. From the start of the show Iliana credits the FIC, for which Sarah Masoni is the Director, for helping refine her product to be ready for the consumer market. The journey to the FIC was a familiar story. Iliana Maura comes from a family of experienced cooks and bakers. Fresh out of college, Iliana was one of the first entrepreneurs to start a line of fruit juice-sweetened cookies. She donated part of her profits from each sale towards helping animals. Her four flavors of gourmet cookies caught on quickly, were sold throughout California and ultimately gained national distribution. Passion for a healthy lifestyle and her love of animals and natural sustainability have always been a big part of who Iliana is. It was only natural for her to explore producing dairy-free products and after experimenting with recipes, began selling in local farmers markets. Iliana Maura foods were an instant hit and Iliana not only had a line outside her booth, but sold out every single week she attended. These markets are the genesis of many successful food products and any food entrepreneur (foodpreneur) who isn’t selling their products in one is urged to check out their local market. In this episode, Iliana has many survival hints for all those entering into farmers market for the first time. It was in that farmers market community she was introduced to and joined the Pacific Northwest Food and Beverage Group, a real family according to Iliana. People in the group told Iliana about the FIC and all the resources available to foodpreneurs. After an introduction to Sarah Masoni, Iliana worked with one of the food scientists and began the process of taking the recipe from kitchen to consumer sales. Iliana Maura currently offers “Divinely Dairy-Free Butter”, an incredible alternative to regular butter, and sugar-free protein bars. Iliana sells both online and currently has one local market carrying her products on the shelf. However, she is always thinking of new products to expand the line and urges the visitors to her website to sign up for her newsletter and offer recipe ideas. In fact, Iliana is launching a new and improved butter product this May, 2024. She has extended the shelf life to five months, for which she again credits the scientist team at the Food Innovation Center. Besides tasting good and a long shelf life, products need great packaging not only to get the consumer’s attention, but to emote an image of satisfying taste, healthy and sustainable processing and the hands-on, caring touch of the founder. Iliana’s logo mark is a stylized self-portrait and says it all for her. It is very feminine, a standout from the more generic butter and bar packaging and is a reflection of her desire to bring wholesome and healthy foods to the world. Besides the one store location and the farmers market, you can order online at https://ilianamaura.com/. Follow Iliana o Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ilianamauraofficial/ . Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ilianamaura/. Our hosts: Twitter - @sarahmasoni and @spicymarshall, Instagram - @masoniandmarshall. Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

We interviewed Donna Parker, founder of Blondy’s Baked Goods, back in March of 202l - episode 66 for all you baking enthusiasts. A quick background on Donna: Living with allergies for over a decade and always having to compromise on foods, Donna made up her mind to create and share delicious treats that cater to everyone, regardless of dietary restrictions. Her gluten allergy turned Donna into a self-taught cook and baker specializing in dairy and gluten-free baking. It’s been three years since we talked with Donna in Portland, Oregon, so what’s changed? For one thing, she’s moved to the Nashville, Tennessee area with her son and pretty much started her business again from scratch. At first, Donna wasn’t sure if she would restart Blondy’s Baked Goods. In Oregon, she had placed her baked goods in some excellent grocery stores, was in 20 different coffee shops and had kept the business alive during COVID. However, Nashville was an unknown in the gluten-free food category. Donna wanted to keep her company going, but also had a parallel career in the beauty industry and she finally had to choose one. It was a lot of effort and heartache to restart and keep going, but her passion to deliver healthy, nutritious treats was the spark to keep Blondy’s going. Now in her fifth year a big turning point was this January. Donna gave up her career in the beauty industry to be full time Blondy’s. There have been some big challenges. In the Portland area, there were lots of foodies who loved paleo and dairy-free and gluten-free foods but her new market was unknown. However, the town in which Donna now lives has more west coast people moving to the area and demand for allergy-free foods is increasing. Also, the one gluten-free bakery in the area recently closed down, leaving an opening for Blondy’s. Still baking from home, Donna is appreciative of the fact that Tennessee is more lenient when it comes to cottage law than Oregon, but she is extremely careful to have all her corporate papers, permits and licenses in order to be in full compliance. Right now, working from her home kitchen is perfect for the volume of business, but Donna knows she will need to keep an eye on possible expansion. Our host Sarah Marshall of Marshall’s Haute Sauce has a certified commercial kitchen in her family home and urges Donna to operate from her home as long as possible to work out the kinks of production and to keep down the headaches of overhead. And on top of the business at home, Donna is home schooling her son, so not doing a lot of commuting certainly helps Donna keep it together. Donna’s approach in her second business incarnation is backward from her first. In Oregon, she started out as a wholesaler; Donna went right into a commercial kitchen and right into wholesaling. But in Tennessee, she changed her mind after discovering the difference between the state laws. Donna still does wholesale business and caters to cafes and restaurants in the area but without needing a commercial kitchen. There are new items in the product line since our last interview. Many people had come up to Donna asking how to bake gluten free and then were overwhelmed with the number of ingredients it took to do so. That inspired Donna to create baking mixes to simplify home baking. First, Donna took her paleo chocolate chip cookies and turned them into a mix. Next, it was the Blondy Brownie mix and the journey has been very educational for Donna to show that baking paleo doesn’t need to be impossible. Being in this new market segment has also given Donna a chance to be in some fun specialty stores and expand her own professional background. Blondy’s Backed Goods are available in a half-dozen coffee shops in Donna’s local area and online along with the mixes on her website: https://www.blondysbakedgoods.com/. Follow Donna on: IG @blondysbakedgoods and FB @blondysbakedgoods. Our hosts: Twitter - @sarahmasoni and @spicymarshall, Instagram - @masoniandmarshall. Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

It’s been since 2021, episode number 76, that we interviewed Stacey Givens, Farmer/Chef/ and Owner of The Side Yard Farm & Kitchen, Portland, Oregon. The Side Yard Farm & Kitchen is a 1-acre plot of land located in a mixed business/residential core area of the city. This urban farm’s philosophy is seed-to-plate, meaning they grow and create meals all from the same plot of land. The company feeds around 15,000 meals annually through restaurants, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) boxes, donations, catering, and farm events. Stacy grew up in Southern California, the youngest child in a big Greek family. With that background, Stacy was immersed within a deep food culture. Her mother taught her how to grow, forage, and preserve food as women in Greece had done for generations before. Stacey gained her first experiences in the food industry at the age of fifteen working in kitchens from Los Angeles to San Francisco and then to Portland. It was in Portland that she found a home and community and founded the Side Yard Farm & Kitchen in 2009. Stacy worked the land and built her catering business up, gaining such notoriety such as winning the Local Hero Award, plus being been featured on Food Network’s Chopped, TIME Magazine and NBC’s Today as well. It took until May of 2020 for the company and the community behind her to purchase the land outright to solidify their place in the community and also preserve it for farmers of the future. Now to catch up to the present with Stacy; what’s changed? The biggest change has been personal with Stacy, she is now the mother of a soon-to-be one-year old. Not only has sleep deprivation been a big change for Stacy, becoming a mother has also affected her business. When she was around six months pregnant, her back began to hurt from the extra load on her body and she was not able to work the fields as much as before. Unfortunately, the pain has continued to haunt her and Stacy has needed a physical therapy regimen to deal with it. All this has changed her role at the farm and not being out there lugging a wheel barrel and joining in the planting and harvesting has taken away one of Stacy’s big joys in life for the time being. However, Stacy is determined to get back out there and you can bet that will happen. Stacy talks enthusiastically about the community outreach programs on the calendar that take place at the farm and she runs through the calendar of events that is jam packed for the next couple of months. The company has brunches, movie nights and other events where everyone is invited and can purchase a ticket online. One spotlight group is the grief group, where those in grief can gather. Many bring a dish that was the favorite of their lost one and can share both laughs and tears with others grieving for a lost one. You can follow the farm on Instagram and Facebook. If you want to attend one of their events, pull up their website: https://www.thesideyardpdx.com/. Our hosts: Twitter - @sarahmasoni and @spicymarshall, Instagram - @masoniandmarshall. Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

Amza. Say it. Now say it slowly with your eyes closed. It hums, it’s peaceful and rhythmic, isn’t it? It’s a beautiful word. It also is a region in Tibet and the birthplace of The Dalai Lama. And fittingly it is the name of Amza Superfoods a company founded by Jolma who is from Amza. Born and raised in Rebbong (རེབ་གོང་།), Amdo region of Tibet and growing up in Rebgong, Jolma was exposed to a vibrant cultural hub known for Tibetan arts (literature, painting & food). Jolma learned cooking at a young age from her beloved late grandmother, Sonam, who also raised her. Sonam was born a nomad and was illiterate her entire life. Still, she understood the value of education and told Jolma, "To discover the world, one must move beyond her own kitchen." Sonam’s determination inspired Jolma to become the 1st girl from her village to earn a college degree and was the impetus for Jolma’s journey from Asia to Europe and eventually to America. She learned English from the ABCs at age 30 and that drive to succeed continued as Joma sought to honor her grandmother and other disadvantaged Tibetan women like her by drafting a memoir cookbook, Beyond Her Kitchen, chronicling Tibet's healthy eating traditions and the stories behind each bite. It was more than a cookbook and more than a tribute, it was the book that her grandmother COULD NOT write because of her illiteracy. Jolma penned the book while working as a product user experience designer to support her son while he was going to a University. After he was done, Jolma then decided to go from cookbook to business. This seed from the cookbook bloomed into a meaningful food business, Amza Superfoods, from her Portland, Oregon kitchen. Amza Superfoods offers a family of nutrition-dense, tasty, sustainable nourishment that celebrates Tibetan culture. Amza prioritizes sustainability, social impact, and local sourcing of 100% natural, heirloom whole grains, delivered in eco-friendly packaging. They also empower underprivileged women and girls in Tibet through education. The hearty Tsamba snacks, barley breakfast mixes, and flaxseed spreads are handcrafted in small batches with Oregon bounty. They provide a convenient way to get high fiber, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids. There is a broad product line of bagged snacks and jars of flaxseed spread. Joma has added some warm spice to some of the spreads and the flavor warms the tongue without being too hot. And check out the health benefits of flaxseed when you have time. Jolma has been selling well at local farmers markets, but anyone can buy online at the website: AmzaSuperfoods.com. Follow Jolma on Twitter – @AmzaSuperfoods, LI - @AmzaSuperfoods, Instagram – @AmzaSuperfoods, Facebook – @AmzaSuperfoods. Our hosts: Twitter - @sarahmasoni and @spicymarshall, Instagram - @masoniandmarshall. Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

"Why can’t you have all the good wind-down and relaxed feeling alcohol gives you without the alcohol? That’s the question Thomas Angel had in 2020 along with his partner, Laura Melgarejo Silva. It started the quest for the Bend, Oregon founders to discover a truly delicious taste married with the wholesome ingredients that would offer that relaxed feeling without the after-effects. Thomas calls their company a pandemic baby because that’s the genesis. As you may recall, the isolation of the pandemic led to an increase in alcohol consumption, giving them a challenge to solve. And there was more incentive; both Thomas and Laura came from families that abused alcohol so they were even more determined to offer alternatives to alcoholic drinks but still offer the same relaxing and social benefits. As background: Both became ex-pats living in China, with Thomas having an aviation background. It was an exciting and glamourous life, going from one party to another, but they both soon became aware of the role alcohol consumption took in their lives. When the pandemic hit, they were caught in the quarantine and though most people increased their alcohol consumption, Thomas and Laura went the other way, figuring out how to get it out of their lives. They had always been active people and were in good health, so eliminating alcohol made them feel better. However, they still desired the relaxing part of having a beverage whether with a group of people or just the two of them. So when the quarantine was relaxed, they headed back to the Pacific Northwest and began their entrepreneurial journey. They looked around and saw a social scene that offered opportunity. When there was a social function involving beer, wine or cocktails, people could opt for a can of sparling water of course. However, there was an awkwardness for those people that Thomas and Laura noticed, and that was the gap they intended to close. They decided to move to Bend, Oregon, a beautiful high desert area in central Oregon and begin to chase their dream. Of course, a name was first on the agenda. Three elements went into the name. First, Bend is a high-altitude location. Second, they wanted to reflect the elevated feeling they were achieving in their brand. Last, it’s an ode to Thomas’ aviation background. And so the name: Altitude Beverages. They created routine based beverages designed for a “better you”. The drinks really taste incredible, too; no stevia, erythritol, or allulose and importantly, no metallic aftertaste. They started selling their home-crafted drinks at local farmer’s markets and have expanded to selling both online and select grocery stores in multiple states in the US. See them online and purchase any of their three mocktails or three lattes on: https://altitudebev.com/. Follow them on Twitter - @altitudebev, Instagram - @altitudebev, Facebook - @altitudebev, LinkedIn - Altitude Beverages. Our hosts: Twitter - @sarahmasoni and @spicymarshall, Instagram - @masoniandmarshall. Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

In episode 171, our hosts reviewed the Winter Fancy Food Show in Las Vegas. They will be attending the Summer Show in New York and so will this show’s guest, Laura Dadap, co-founder of Djablo Sauce. Laura and company will be in the Incubator Alley section and the trip to the show won’t be a long one; Laura was born and raised in Queens. For the genesis of the company, let’s start with the name, Djablo. It is Philippine in origin, and in the region where Laura’s father grew up, the letter “I” is replaced with the letter “j”. The original recipe came from Laura’s father and the letter “j” made the family think of a boxing jab punch, so the hot sauce with a punch made perfect sense. As with any business name or logo, one has to be careful with infringing on trademarks, especially those owned by mega corporations. Laura started quietly to make sure she did not raise the ire of big Taco Bell and their Diablo Sauce, which is sold by the bottle as well as inserted into food orders by the packet. Laura started by doing an Internet search for companies spelling the word using a “j” and saw an opening. Flying under the radar until they had some money to lay a strong legal foundation, she then hired an attorney with a solid background to file the trademark correctly. Laura and our own Sarah Marshall of Marshall’s Haute Sauce share a bond. Both were on season 22 of Hot Ones, the show about hot and spicy foods. And Bobby Flay, the Emmy Award-winning food TV pioneer and acclaimed restaurateur has recommended both Sarah and Laura’s hot sauces. Djablo Sauce is the first locally produced, family owned and operated small batch Filipino hot sauce in the United States. Their zesty ginger and garlic forward sauce packs a punch with round, comforting heat is the answer to the ingredient focused, flavor fanatic searching the shelves of their local grocery shop to make any food more interesting. They officially launched sales in June 2019 with 2 flavors in 2 sizes ranging from $10-20 for those who like a little bit of spice, to those who want a Djab on every bite. They use all natural superfoods like beet and spirulina to keep the colors consistent, and they hand pick all the produce that goes into the sauce. Laura also thinks out of the box, offering recipes to spice up foods you probably had never thought about. See those recipes and shop online at their website: https://djablosauce.com/. Follow them on IG: @djablosauce and TikTok: @djablosauce. Our hosts: Twitter - @sarahmasoni and @spicymarshall, Instagram - @masoniandmarshall. Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

Officially a business since 2019, Brittany Futrell, founder of Angel Wing Sauce, started years earlier experimenting in the kitchen making sauces. At the time, it was for a guy she was dating and she enjoyed cooking for him. Because her mother was an enthusiastic cook, Brittany got started creating recipes early in her life. She enjoyed using her date as her taste tester and when he was absolutely “floored” with her sauce as she says, she knew she was on to something. And that original recipe has stayed the same and now is the foundation of Brittany’s company. She brought the sauce to parties and showers and the reception was similar to that of her friend – hands down fabulous! Brittany took the next obvious step, seeing if people would actually pay for her sauce. She began selling door-to-door with great results, and then took a break in 2015 to figure out that next foodpreneur milestone: Going from kitchen to the store shelf. It wasn’t easy, being a single mom and doing research on starting a company, but she persevered and Angle Wing Sauce was born. The magic of her sauce is secret, but the ingredients start with a southern sauce base of molasses, then Brittany adds the heat on top of that. The taste is sweet at first and then you are in for a hot/sweet roller coaster ride. Not too hot, but warm and with a homemade taste. Her company operates out her home town of Raliegh, North Carolina and has become a destination for locals and food tourists. She has branched from multiple flavors of sauce and added a catering division that is very popular. At present, they focus on small events but are figuring out how to do large events in the near future. After a wedding event of 150 people, Brittany realized the company was not yet equipped to handle large crowds and so she has thoughtfully retreated to figure out how. The company continually adds to the catering menu with delights that are new, different and delicious. It isn’t only the food, either. Brittany and company strive to offer customer service above and beyond the call. As you would expect, they shop for the finest ingredients and provide a wholesome sauce, as well as a hot, hot flavor. Shop the different flavors on their website, https://www.angelwingsauce.com/ and have your order shipped just about anywhere. Brittany even ships outside the US. In addition, the sauce can be found in seven select grocery stores on the east coast. Follow Brittany and Angel Wing Sauce on IG: @angelwingsauce, FB: tanytws, Twitter: @agnelwingsauce and LinkedIn: anglewingsauce. Our hosts: Twitter - @sarahmasoni and @spicymarshall, Instagram - @masoniandmarshall. Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

For the third straight year, our hosts Sarah Masoni and Sarah Marshall attended the Winter Fancy Food Show in that magic town, Las Vegas. For a brief explanation of the show and the organization behind it, the show is where foodpreneurs connect with leading buyers, distributors, and retailers, network with peers and enjoy world-class educational programs. It’s a cost-effective and powerful way to grow business because it is an environment rich with the movers and shakers in the food industry. And everyone is there to spend every minute discovering the latest in culinary delights. So how was the show this year? It was a big group that attended along with our hosts, 21 companies to be exact. Take a look at the roster at the end of these notes. And what were the show favorites for our hosts? For Sarah Masoni, the number one attraction was the generosity of the exhibitors. In particular, the Japanese exhibitors were incredibly kind and generous. One exhibitor who produces a rice cracker snack pulled out a sack and filled it with bags of all the different flavors they offered for her. Sarah Marshall uses the connections at the show not so much as a place to increase distribution directly, but to interact with as many people as possible, get known and teach others how to use her hot sauces in cooking. She feels this spreads the word about her product in a roundabout way that ultimately leads to more magazine articles, blogs, IG posts and also more loyal customers. Another favorite was Mama O’s Premium Kimchi of Brooklyn. They sell kimchi and kimchi starter kits to make your own. They also have a paste that can be used for other spicy condiments and added to other main dishes for hot spice. But the big attraction was the interaction with their crowd. Sarah Marshall was given a starter kit to make her own kimchi, given a Mama O’s bag to pack it around with and then was photographed with the crew for social media posting. That pretty much made Sarah a lifelong fan and a great way of demonstrating how to create an experience, not just another sample taste. One of the big crazes of the show was frozen grapes, dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with assorted crunchies. They seemed to take off like wildfire. Another example of imagination is Athena, a very traditional Greek food company. They took their stuffed grape leave dish and put in Jalapenos for a very different type of fusion. Evidently, it was well received and a great example of never standing still in the food industry. Next show is June 23-25 in New York, so start planning your trip! The Fancy Food Summer Show link: https://www.specialtyfood.com/fancy-food-shows/summer/ Our hosts: Twitter - @sarahmasoni and @spicymarshall, Instagram - @masoniandmarshall. A partial list of the companies attending the show. All are from Oregon except Loren Lee from Waco, Texas: Linda Jodoin, Miss Hannah's Popcorn, [email protected], Nikki Guerrero, Hot Mama Salsa, [email protected], Lindsay Gott, Gateaux, [email protected], Lee Hedgmon, the Barreled Bee, [email protected], Kenny Baker, Sh'Mallow, [email protected], Willis Anderson, My Daddy's Sauces, [email protected], Loren Lee, Mirth, [email protected], Tina & Patrick Welch, The Pink Wagon, [email protected], Ginger McCabe, Chili Royale, [email protected]. Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

It’s the Sarah trifecta again on this episode. Sarah Marshall and Sarah Masoni interview Sarah Marcus, founder of Briar Rose Creamery, Dundee, Oregon. This is another check-in show, as Sarah was interviewed previously on episode #68, released in March, 2021. For background, Proprietor and Cheesemaker Sarah Marcus is a Bay Area native and started making cheese in her kitchen. In 2005 she took a chance and got a job as a cheesemonger at Cowgirl Creamery in San Francisco. It was there that she fell in love with the world of cheese and developed her palette. Her cheesemaking studies took her to England, Spain, North Carolina, and Vermont. In 2008 she and her husband moved to Dundee, Oregon with the intention to build Briar Rose Creamery. So what has changed with the business and the industry since we last talked? The Creamery did have sheep milk supplied to them for a short while and made a special cheese from it. However, the owners of the farm raising the sheep sold the farm and that product line ceased to exist. But the all-cows’-milk program is working great and the company is selling more cheese than ever before. The company sells whole wheels of cheese only and consolidates the wheels in a Portland, Oregon location where trucks are loaded along with other cheese makers’ products and delivered to the customers. The company is a small business, however, and subject to the ups and downs of circumstances beyond their control. For example, the local area recently suffered unusually cold weather, icing up roads and making travel difficult. It stopped milk supplies and kept employees from getting into work, so now Sarah is trying to balance increasing shifts to make up for the lost days, lost production and ultimately, lost revenue, all at the mercy of the weather. All cheeses from Briar Rose are artisan. As much art as they are food, most of the cheeses are soft and luscious. They are a golden color and the crusts take on that golden glow as well. And as the cheeses age, they get a deeper and deeper golden hue. They also get richer tasting and softer as they age, taking on a buttery experience and complexities similar to complexities found in fine wines. The company and its cheeses also have been featured in Food and Wine magazine as one of the top 50 cheese makers in the US. Sarah still does not know how that happened, as they must have been visited at either their Farm Store in Dundee or at one of the Farmers Markets they attend. So there’s a message here for all foodpreneurs: Treat everyone who shops your products as best you can, because you never know if they are customers or undercover reporters. In addition to the company’s Farm store, you can buy Briar Rose cheeses at local Oregon Farmers Markets and special markets and grocery stores up and down the west coast, including Alaska. Look at the amazing offerings of cheese on the company website: http://www.briarrosecreamery.com/. Follow Sarah and company on FB, https://www.facebook.com/briarrosecreamery/. On IG, https://www.instagram.com/briarrosecheese/. Our hosts: Twitter - @sarahmasoni and @spicymarshall, Instagram - @masoniandmarshall. Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

Welcome to the new, expanded format for The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast Shows. Starting with this show, we will be interviewing foodpreneurs from Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Montana, Idaho and Wyoming, thanks to the NW and Rocky Mountain Regional Food Business Center, https://nwrockymountainregionalfoodbusiness.com/ . This regional effort offers an incredibly rich center of information, education and connection to the food industry for mid-size growers, farmers and producers. It’s been since episode #81, May of 2021 that we interviewed Jana Jenkins who wears two hats. She is the founder of Oregon Ag, a food distribution company moving mostly local food specialties from producers whose stories and products are unique and interesting. Her other big hat is Sales Director for Oregon Wild Rice, a family-owned producer located in the fertile Willamette Valley of Oregon. We ask Jana, “What’s changed?”. Oregon Wild Rice is owned by the Langdon family who has been farming in the area for over a 100 years. For most of those years the family had drained the farmland to grow grass seed. But a few years ago they committed to a new plan to more effectively utilize their heavy clay soil and the abundant Oregon rainfall. In 2016 they chose to boldly plant Oregon Wild Rice. It took four years to expand the rice crop and to learn how to effectively process the high-quality rice for human consumption. Currently, they sell everything they produce locally. Recent numbers are 25,000 bags of wild rice sold last year in approximately 25 stores. Sarah Marshall also highlighted Oregon Wild Rice on a local TV program. As for changes in Jana’s Oregon Ag company, distribution is still a challenge. She is enthused however after the recent Fancy Foods Show held in Las Vegas (covered in Episode #140 released last March). The shows provide a plethora of offerings close together and in sections that make exploring for new products efficient and successful. Her greatest surprise was in the international section, where foods from Italy and Spain were particularly fascinating. Both the packaging and the foods themselves had incredible eye appeal and gave consumers new, rich food experiences. What does Jana look for in taking on new products? She loves the story and the passion of the maker behind the product, because it’s the story that appeals to the consumer looking for something new. So if you contact her, and she hopes you do, start by simply showing her what you make. If she takes on your product, her favorite stores for placement are Market of Choice, New Seasons, Zupans, Mckay’s Market and Ray’s Market. Jana also has placed products in quality venues such as Willamette valley Vineyards and Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. Her current client list includes Humblebee Honey, Kickin’ Pickles, Portland Salt Company, Nuts on the Run, Wildfire Elixirs, Fields Grassfed Beef, and Franklin and Sons Beverages London, England. Jana is particularly thrilled about Sh’mallow, the first aerosol marshmallow that tops any dessert or beverage. What’s Jana’s advice to all aspiring foodpreneurs? Take every opportunity you get. And don’t stop; no one is doing what you’re doing. Tell your story. Contact Oregon Wild Rice, IG: oregonrice.com. Website: oregonrice.com IG: oregonwildrice.com. Contact Jana, LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jana-jenkins-895683186/. Email: [email protected]. Our hosts: Twitter - @sarahmasoni and @spicymarshall, Instagram - @masoniandmarshall. Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

It was almost exactly 100 episodes ago we first interviewed Andrea Ludlow, founder of Showstopper Cookies; episode 69 released March of 2021 to be precise. She had started her business about six months prior to the show. Cookie companies are everywhere and they come and go like streetcars. So how has Andrea’s company endured and what makes her cookies legitimate showstoppers? Answer: Focus. Andrea makes only one, very large, special, salty chocolate chip cookie and sticks with her winning recipe. Every showstopper cookie is lovingly handmade and baked under supervision in their southeast Portland, Oregon location. They use only the best, tastiest ingredients including locally sourced flour and eggs and chocolate from the Guittard Chocolate Company. They source carefully from the Camas Country Mill for flour, the Cairnsprings Mill also for flour. They use only organic white and brown sugars, Maldon salt, unsalted butter. They buy local free range eggs, and to top it off, they use only Andrea’s homemade vanilla extract. Showstopper cookies aren’t made for dunking in milk while enjoying a TV show. They are for gifts and special occasions. When you visit their website you’ll see why, but their description paints the picture: “Showstopper cookies are dancing and singing their way into mouths across the country…a magical way to treat yourself…” Since launching Showstopper Cookies at our first interview with her, what has happened to Andrea and her company since then? For one thing, when asked how many cookies she’s sold since our last interview, Andrea has no idea! And Andrea gives a big thanks to our show hosts Sarah Masoni and Sarah Marshall, who urged her to learn to freeze her cookie dough to increase the production and shipping components of her business. Special occasion businesses have seasons of course and Showstopper is no exception. From May to October, Andrea attends one or more farmers markets which results in 600 or more cookie sales a week. Then it’s a lull until the Holiday season, then another lull from January until spring. The “lulls” aren’t completely bad either at this stage of Andrea’s business, because it gives her time to catch her breath, look ahead and also think of ways to eliminate the lulls. For example, a customer asked about ordering one giant cookie as a birthday cake. After some Instagram posts, Andrea saw she had a winner and has added that to the website recently. Birthdays are a “lull-resistant” product. Andrea is grateful for the advice she received from Meaningful Marketplace, and would like to pass on advice to other foodpreneurs now that she has had more time in the pilot’s seat. For one thing, ASK. Ask questions of everyone you meet everywhere. Whether it’s the vendor in the stall next to you at the farmers market or the distributor searching for new products. “Be friendly with error” is one of her quotes (I love the way she puts it, ed.) meaning get up every time you fall. Do favors for others and ask for favors, too. And because of COVID and the aftermath, Andrea also has made some big moves. She has spent some advertising money on a popular podcast show (Ask Ronna) and she has started going after corporate accounts, both new moves since our first interview. You can purchase Showstopper Cookies at local Portland area farmers markets and on online at: https://www.showstoppercookies.com/. Follow her at: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/showstopper_cookies/. Also on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/showstoppercookies. Our hosts: Twitter - @sarahmasoni and @spicymarshall, Instagram - @masoniandmarshall. Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

Today we reconnect with Hannah Crum, founder of Kombucha Kamp, with whom we had the pleasure of interviewing on episode #84, released in May of 2021. For a quick refresher, Kombucha is fermented tea, an ancient elixir consumed for hundreds or maybe thousands of years by civilizations all over the planet. The most commonly attributed Kombucha Benefits include better digestion, increased energy, and a clearer mind. Avid drinkers also report Kombucha helping with their digestive tract, liver detoxification, reduced cravings, and athlete support. Hannah got the idea to make kombucha a business when her landlord loved the delicious free organic k-tea that came with her rent check each month. So did her neighbor, who enjoyed sipping the Booch after yoga class as it made her knees feel better. Her husband was hooked and all of a sudden, she was struggling to keep up with the demand. It was time to educate the public on how easy it was to make kombucha to have plenty on hand. Kombucha Kamp was born, a company to show people how to make their own kombucha at home and also provide the products to do the home brew. So how has the business been operating these last years? Well for one thing, the scientific community is doing more and more validating of the health benefits of drinking kombucha, so the industry is not depending on testimonials or anecdotal stories for consumers to believe in its effectiveness. It’s being called the tea of long life, the tea of immortality and so forth, a big boost to all who are involved in getting it in the hands of more and more people. Kombucha is being recognized as a healing beverage, in particular protecting the liver and kidneys. The studies on humans have really put kombucha over the bar in not only acceptance, but in education as well as a benefit for living bodies. The studies are coming out of Georgetown University and Hannah was asked for a referral of a kombucha manufacturer who could provide not only kombucha for the study but also a placebo that tasted the same. Subjects consumed beverages for four weeks, then four weeks off, then another four week consumption, not knowing if they were drinking kombucha or the placebo. The sample size was small, but the findings dynamic enough that the scientists are seeking funds to conduct a much larger scale study. One big finding was that people with type two diabetes who drink kombucha daily for four weeks show significantly lower fasting glucose rates. The conclusion was that kombucha supported a healthier liver which helps metabolize sugar more effectively. Now, there is a mild controversy in that sugar is added to the tea to aid in fermentation to produce kombucha. The FDA has dictated that the label must show that sugar has been added, but Hannah points out that chemically speaking, the fermentation process changes the sugar molecules and do not produce the same reaction in the body as table sugar. Hannah has been a huge advocate for the industry and all the providers and continues to promote a healthier planet. Her giant book of recipes, “The Big Book of Kombucha” has sold over 375,000 copies worldwide, so she is definitely being heard. Get educated and check out their offerings online at: https://www.kombuchakamp.com/. Follow them on Twitter - https://twitter.com/kombuchakamp, Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kombuchakamp/, Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/KombuchaKamp. . Our hosts: Twitter - @sarahmasoni and @spicymarshall, Instagram - @masoniandmarshall. Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

Organ meats are nature’s multi-vitamin, according to James Barry, founder of Pluck. Pluck is seasoning for foods, but not just for taste and it’s not just any seasoning. Freeze-dried organ meats are mixed with spices and salts to not only increase the taste of the dish, but to provide a supercharge of nutrients. The flavor Pluck seasoning adds is more than just the spices too. The organ meats provide the savory Umami taste, a unique flavor. The principles of ancestral eating drive Pluck’s operations. The philosophy of nose-to-tail eating, no waste of the animal is primary in their mission. They feel people are missing out on the nutrition benefits when only the muscle is consumed. Or as James puts it, “As close to nature as possible”. There also is a connection to ancestral eating in James’ family as he found out. Apparently, his family lived in Brooklyn, ate liver and onions regularly and would go to the open market for items like chicken. They’d pick out a live chicken, then come back later after the chopping and plucking and take home a warm carcass. That’s about as close as you can get to the source. But organ meats aren’t widely consumed in the US, mainly because of the odd taste. That’s where James’ 16-years as a professional chef came in handy, to add the organ nutrition to any food without the traditional organ taste, the perfect gateway into capturing the nutrition of organ meats. That plus the fact he was a very picky eater as a child and young adult, not having an adventurous palate at all. He grew up eating fast food and frozen vegetables and microwave meals. But the real impetus for introducing organ meat nutrition to the world came when his two-year old daughter became afflicted with Shiga toxin, a life-threatening disease. She became extremely thin and weak as James and his wife struggled to get nutrition into her body. She survived and is a healthy specimen today, but the experience left James with his determination to provide a functional food product anyone could consume without having to step outside their comfort zone. James points to the book, “Eat Like A Human” to underscore his philosophy of consuming the entire animal to be completely healthy. In the book, the author points to the development of human beings, going back a few million years. Our ancestors were foragers, then scavengers; neither role amounting to much nutrition to aid development. Then around 2 ½ million years ago, they developed tools to be predators and that’s when humans started to evolve. They consumed organ meats, blood and fat, which led to larger bodies, more developed brains and the evolution into modern day humans. It was more nutrients with less effort. So James looks to provide the nutrition from organ meats to today’s consumer, but also wants the consumer to have quality organ meats. He sources only quality grass-fed, grass-finished, humanely treated, pasture-raised animals raised with no GMOs or hormones. He currently sources them from New Zealand as he has not had success finding that quality in the US, but he keeps looking. The spices and herbs come from sustainable farms as well. All this to make getting better nutrition as easy as replacing your salt and pepper with Pluck. And this daily habit is microdosing, which has a cumulative effect of making you healthier. You can find Pluck in special places in 17 states currently. Buy online at https://eatpluck.com/. Follow them on Twitter - @eat_pluck, Instagram - @eatpluck and Facebook - @eatpluck. Follow James on IG, @jamesbarry, FB @jamesbarry. Our hosts: Twitter - @sarahmasoni and @spicymarshall, Instagram - @masoniandmarshall. Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

As we continue to check in with guests from previous shows, we circle back to Carrie Solomon, co-founder of Greater Goods and, as we learn in this podcast, Microjoy as well. Microjoy is new since our last show with Carrie, episode #67, released in March of 2021. For a quick background recap, Carrie and her husband started a medical cannabis company in 2014 with a very potent and great smelling topical, and then quickly launched an edible line of truffles and chocolate bars. The products were a hit and they rapidly expanded in their home state of Oregon. That has continued into a thriving cannabis business in the recreationally legal market. In 2019 they took their creations to a wider audience of consumers outside of our the state, launching Greater Goods to provide high quality products that were also conscientiously crafted and joyous at the same time. Since Carrie and her husband are both food and CBD enthusiasts, they only use ingredients that are organic and delicious, including fine chocolate, locally and responsibly sourced inclusions to add fun flavor profiles to their products, as well as Oregon sungrown hemp oil. However, in 2020, as the couple rolled “profoundly into the depths of the pandemic” as their website says, they noticed what that they missed the small joys, the miniscule interactions, of daily, routine life and assumed there were many others who felt the same way. Those infinitesimal moments that had punctuated life without trying; the microjoys in life. And their second business was born. Microjoy offers uncomplicated remedies that actually work and taste good; each formula created to address a specific challenge meant to be effective, quickly. Handmade in their own facility ingredients are sourced from the best suppliers – same philosophy as Greater Goods – and created to help unveil a more calm, well-rested, resilient person. The couple’s background in CBD, hemp and dabbling in certain mushroom ingredients has helped create the mood-enhancing gummies in Microjoy and the candy selection, tinctures and gummies offered in Greater Goods. Carrie makes a big point that there are NO psychedelic ingredients or effects from any of the company’s products. The big difference between the two companies is the phenomenon called microdosing. The benefits of microdosing are leveraging the use of certain mushrooms to be sub-perceptual to merely sub-perceptual levels to assist in managing traumatic events or depression by creating more activity in the brain. In more pedestrian language, it helps prevent shutting down and going into a funk. Most people use this method episodically, but some use long term for more chronic situations. The couple has evidently hit on a hot market, as their Greater Goods and Microjoy products are available in 12 states in the US, with many locations in both Oregon and Texas. They also have gone international, now selling in both Amsterdam, Netherlands and in Australia. Of course, you can buy online at https://hellogreater.com/ and https://microjoyful.com/. Follow them on IG @grtrgoods, FB @hellogreater, IG @microjoyful. Our hosts: Twitter - @sarahmasoni and @spicymarshall, Instagram - @masoniandmarshall. Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

We first interviewed Lisa and Maly Douangphoumy, sisters in the family business Sao Noi, on episode number 54, released September, 2020. Their company produces flavored chili oils and flavored beef jerky, all originated from the family’s restaurant business in Hood River, Oregon. Their mother, Marnie and father, Tom started the restaurant and quickly became a staple for the community because of Tom’s peanut sauce and Marnie’s chili oil. The business name, Sao Noi literally means “little girl” in Laotian as Marnie is the youngest of her eight siblings. She began making her sauces from their cozy restaurant kitchen. The exotic flavors in Sao Noi‘s sauces reflect their Southeast Asian roots, evoking a nostalgia for the family’s traditional Lao and Thai culinary recipes. Marnie used her chili oil on one of the restaurant’s premier dishes and an employee commented the taste was so fabulous she should bottle it and sell it. The family did start producing the oil in jars and selling in small quantities. One day Maly took a jar to the CEO of the company where she worked and the next day he called her in to place an order for a jar for every employee in the company, 210 in all, the largest order the company had received up to that time. On top of that, the CEO had a recipe contest for everyone in the company and those recipes plus the family recipes went into what is now the “Sao Noi Kitchen” cookbook, available on the website and on Amazon. Much has happened to the family business since our last interview. The oil product line has expanded to three flavors, original, lemon grass and ginger. They also started a beef jerky line thanks to one of their food brokers. He came into town to call on them, and overnight dreamed they would have a line of beef jerky. The family liked the idea and the broker introduced them to a copacker who could make it happen for them. That was a relief to the family, as dealing with an animal product puts you under USDA regulatory control and the family did not have time for that learning curve. In addition to knowing the regulations, the copacker was instrumental in taking the three oil flavors and experimenting with the formulas to come up with the three scintillating jerky tastes. Although they started selling the oils in the restaurant in 2015, it was really 2017 when the family expanded out into the community and sold in farmers markets. Their popularity has led them currently to being available in 46 retail outlets in the Pacific Northwest, Midwest and East coast. Market of Choice, an Oregon grocer, has been their biggest volume seller and a superb supporter of the local community. Sauces and jerky are available for purchase online. The sauces are still handcrafted in small batches locally to ensure that “a whole ‘lotta love goes into every jar!” as their website says. Their website: https://www.sao-noi.com/. Follow the on: Facebook- @saonoipdx, Instagram- @saonoipdx. Our hosts: Twitter - @sarahmasoni and @spicymarshall, Instagram - @masoniandmarshall. Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

This show is another check-in with a former guest to see what’s changed since our last interview. Today we talk with Kelly Calabria, founder of Kelly’s Jelly. We last chatted with Kelly on episode #46, released in June of 2020. A quick background: Kelly’s Great Aunt Danny had a special recipe for peppery jelly that was irresistible and downright addicitve. However, part of it’s specialty was the difficulty in making it. The hot flavor came from the habanero peppers, which unleash and incredible burning sensation to skin and eyes when they are cut into. On top of that, boiling sugar water can also create a messy and dangerous situation. But Aunt Danny’s Habanero Pepper Jelly was worth the work and Kelly and husband Adam would create jars of it for family and friends for the Holidays. Then that same story you have heard before, everyone said “You should sell this!” and the entrepreneurial journey began. Starting in 2010, it was local Farmers Markets and the name change to Kelly’s Jelly, which had more market zing to it. Apologies to Danny. So what’s changed since our 2020 show? COVID caused many problems with food service and supply chain issues, which have improved but still haunt the company. Inflation is a bigger problem confronting the company now and distributor mergers have taken away choices and eliminated competition for distribution channels, meaning higher prices for the food producers. But the company has also countered with new products for their audience. In addition, they have come up with smaller sized jars of their pepper jellies to fit in cheese and deli sections where the shelf real estate is very valuable. Charcuterie boards also are a perfect place for specialty jellies, and the smaller jar fits right in with that venue. The newest product is a pepper honey product developed in cooperation with the Oregon State University’s Food Innovation Center (host Sarah Masoni is the Director) which just shipped the same week as this interview. In addition to the pepper honey, the product line is an assortment of delicious pepper fruit jellies and fruit spreads in individual jars and gift packs. Fruit flavors are pineapple, strawberry, blueberry lemon and marionberry, the company’s number one seller. All berries are Oregon grown and all ingredients are sourced from producers who represent the best of their local production. Kelly’s Jelly is family-owned and woman run (Kelly). Kelly loves the challenge of the CEO role, relishing the problem-solving of issues that face her company on a regular basis. She loves navigating the path through the food industry hurdles for a small company slaying the big dragons of the grocery store shelf. The big questions facing her now are: Go national? Distribute 100% through distributors? These are huge questions because they put a CEO in the position of committing a company to expenses and obligations that can sink the ship if things don’t go to plan. But Kelly and Adam seem to be faring very well to date. You can buy their jellies and spreads online at: https://kellysjelly.com/ You also can find them at local Portland area grocers, and national grocers on the west coast. Follow them: IG @kellysjellyoregon, FB @kellysjelly. Our hosts: Twitter - @sarahmasoni and @spicymarshall, Instagram - @masoniandmarshall. Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

Boba has been a highly popular addition to tea drinks worldwide for some decades now. Originating in Taiwan in the 1980s, it has taken the US by storm, served in restaurants, tea bars and sold in grocery stores. The popularity encouraged mass production. Enter Allison Sodha, founder of Better Boba, because Allison believes people deserve the best boba. If you are not familiar, boba is tea with pearl-sized nuggets that have a mild flavor offering a heartier drink than tea alone. The preservatives and additives that make up most packaged boba pearls in the US don’t match up to the natural, artisanal boba sold in Taiwan. Besides taste, the mass manufactured boba are not as healthy as those made with a few, simple, natural ingredients. That is Allison’s mission, to put soft, supple, easy to digest original recipe boba in the hands of US customers. It’s not only the health of the customers that is of interest to Allison, it’s also the health of the planet. She works to constantly develop more sustainable manufacturing and distribution processes. In addition, Better Boba has all-natural packaging to further stress her passion for sustainability. This all began with Allison’s tea shop, where the boba distributed through food services seemed hard for some of their customers to digest. It started her on a worldwide tour of the various manufacturing processes and led her to discover the artificial ingredients and shortcuts taken to produce boba faster and in larger quantities. The business reasons for this practice were rational, but Allison was not buying in. She went on a mission to put authentic boba within reach of the public by not only offering her products through participating tea shops, but also on grocery shelves where the consumer could take the boba home and enjoy the real thing. She is raising the education level and the boba pallet of the consumer. The pandemic also wound up being a friend to Better Boba. As boba supplies dried up with the withering supply chain, tea shops reached out to Better Boba just to stay in business. This made Allison realize that a US manufacturing facility up to her standards was needed and she embarked in the effort. This also opened up new possible worlds for people to enjoy healthy boba. It can be included in snacks and other versatile additions and now the company offers both drinks and snacks. You can shop for all those products online on: https://thebetterboba.com/. Follow Allison on IG: @thebetterboba. Our hosts: Twitter - @sarahmasoni and @spicymarshall, Instagram - @masoniandmarshall. Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch

We first interviewed Robin Rosenberg, CEO of Bobbie’s Boat Sauce on episode 64, released November, 2020. Actually created at sea on a sailboat, Bobbie’s Boat Sauce borrows its name from a repair concoction used by boaters, but not the kind of “sauce” you want to eat. While cleaning out the refrigerator on the boat and with some jazz playing in the background, Robin accidently created a flavor and zest she had never experienced before. The creation went fabulously well with the fish she was cooking, then the eggs she prepared the next day and a new flavor was born. As she says on her website, “Bobbie’s Boat Sauce is an addictive tomato-chili concoction enhanced with aromatics, lime, and fish sauce. Squeeze a little spicy, tangy, umami on everything you love to eat!.” Bringing the recipe back to Portland, Oregon, Robin formed a company and began the journey. That took her to the first road bump, the name Boat Sauce. Her legal consul determined the name was too broad and would be difficult to trademark, since many boaters, especially those with wooden boats, all had their own secret boat sauce they invented to make repairs on their particular boat. However, the bump was cleared and so were many others on the way to what is now national distribution of Bobbie’s Boat Sauce. But much has changed since our first interview with her. Back in 2020, Robin had one sauce flavor plus a hotter version of that flavor. Since then there has been an explosion of product offerings. Her first addition was a marinara hot version, tomato-forward but with a briny tang. The new flavor was actually a production mistake (another fortunate accident), as she was in the middle of changing co-packers and although the recipe was not followed correctly, it yielded an outstanding new product to the line. It’s the serendipity that happens to determined entrepreneurs like Robin. A very new venture is mixing the her sauces with cheddar and cream cheeses. Robin began doing this at Holiday season in a commercial kitchen and then selling it at markets and fairs. She now has distribution in three Portland stores and has many inquiries. However, she is still a company of one, as she says, and the aspect of scaling that part of the business is daunting. Going from a shelf product line to a refrigerated product line is a huge and complex step and takes lots of resources, including human resources, let alone all the extra space required for processing and transporting. The good news is that the cheeses freeze well, which makes inventorying for Bobbie’s and Bobbie’s distributors easier. Another idea at the back of Robin’s head was to create seasonings for her audience. So now she is launching Boat Dust seasonings! They are basically dehydrated Boat Sauce flavors in a two ounce shaker glass available in boutique food stores and small fairs. Ever the inventor, Robin continues to produce Holiday and special treats on a limited basis, always experimenting with the public to see what catches on. Check out the line on her website: https://bobbiesboatsauce.com/. Follow her: IG@bobbiesboatsauce. Our hosts: Twitter - @sarahmasoni and @spicymarshall, Instagram - @masoniandmarshall. Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch