Chosen Foods Represents San Diego’s Healthy Food Industry on Inc’s List
Chosen Food #47 in America. Inc. magazine announced its 35th annual Inc. 500, an exclusive ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. Chosen Foods, a thriving natural foods brand that started the obsession with avocado oil, was ranked no. 47 in the nation. With less than 30 employees today and a humble start just five years ago, Chosen Foods now shares a pedigree with Intuit, Zappos, Microsoft, Suja and other notable alumni.
Started by a passionate, well-traveled Naturopathic Doctor as a superfood company in 2011, Chosen Foods has evolved into what is now a “real food” company with a product line that includes healthy fats, plant based proteins, superfood staples and on-the-go snacks.
“Its really just incredible what we’ve been able to accomplish in such a short amount of time. This kind of success doesn’t happen by accident either. It took an intense amount of passion for healthy eating and a team of people determined to do our part to help grow the natural food movement.” – Founder, Carsten Hagen
The real food movement is building steam, as is apparent by the food & beverage category this year, and Chosen Foods is leading the charge. Director of Marketing and Product Development, Natalie Morse, explains that she sees a shift as consumers are wising up to the dangers of consuming fat-free, chemical laden foods. She shares a personal passion for health and wellness with Carsten Hagen, both incredibly driven to spread their knowledge of nutrition and provide consumers with real food as old as time. “We are on a mission to get all people in the kitchen, creating meals that truly nourish,” Morse explains, “it’s time to put real, non-GMO food back on the table and into our bodies, and to make access to health food a reality for everyone. We won’t be able to do it alone, but being in the Top 50 on Inc 500 this year is such amazing validation for our mission and the hard work it’s been to get to this point.”
Carsten’s original ideals and commitment to health and well-being are alive and well at the Chosen Foods headquarters, too. Team members work in an open, collaborative environment with standing desks, Superfood Coffee and probiotic beverages on tap, as well as designated spaces for relaxation and yoga. The company practices what it preaches and its authenticity may be one of its keys to success.
For Chosen Foods, 2016 was a year of exciting growth and they anticipate seeing similar growth in 2017 and beyond. The goal is to make the Inc. 500 list again next year. It’s ambitious but CEO Steve Gallo is confidant stating, “We have such big things planned for the future. In 2016, we added 100% more jobs than the previous year and reached a goal of product distribution in more than 24,000 retail stores across the US & Canada. Next, we focus on launching exciting new products, educating and empowering our consumers on the benefits of true nourishment, and taking care of our communities.” In 2017, consumers can expect to see a lot more from Chosen Foods.
Chosen Foods will be featured in the September issue of Inc. magazine along with other Inc. 500 honorees.