Tootie’s Tempeh: A Smart Start for Sustained Growth
Sarah and Barbara at Tootie’s Tempeh are setting their startup co-op up for a favorable start and sustainable growth. Diligent planning, resourcefulness, and collaboration permeates their efforts and investment in this dream of theirs. We are excited to highlight this new CMBA member as they are on their path to launch their line of locally produced tempeh. We are also very curious about how a startup co-op like Tootie’s is doing in these times of uncertainty, so we asked them:
Q. What is one thing you’re co-op has done that you are proud of and is helping to sustain your operation through these challenging times?
A. We are a new coop still in start-up/R&D phase, targeting to launch by year end. We have kept our nose to the grindstone and haven’t let up. We did get a PPP loan to help us while our industry partner (understandably) was delayed and slowed our R&D phase. We have successfully raised money in this period doing pitches on zoom, validated consumer interest via online surveys, and found a space for our food production while social distancing with realtors and building managers.
Q. When thinking about challenges in the current pandemic environment, what is the first thing that comes to mind and how are you addressing it?
A. We had hoped to do samplings and tasting events prior to COVID and that has not been able to happen. Instead, we have been delivering directly to people’s homes and will soon be scheduling virtual cook-alongs. This period calls on all of us to be more creative and flexible, which are great skills to hone and grow.
Q. Looking to the future, what are some of your business development ideas?
We first need to focus on our launch, making sure to get placement in coop grocery/local grocers and then grocery chains across Maine/New England so that vegan/vegetarians, as well as the growing market of flexitarians – people reducing their meat consumption for health or environmental reasons (55% of Americans) – can enjoy our tempeh and its value-added benefits: pre-spiced/easy to cook, locally sourced, organic, sustainably fermented and packaged, high protein, good for gut, etc. We will have 3 product options to start – Reuben Ready (fermented with caraway – and makes the most delicious Reuben sandwiches or dinners), Pasta-Ready (fermented with italian herbs – for making amazing meatballs, or using in sauces, etc), and Ready for Anything (traditional soy, unlimited options). Around year 3 of operations we will be forming an umbrella coop for business development. We plan to open regional Tootie’s Tempeh production facilities across the US so that wherever Tootie’s is bought the consumer is supporting local farmers, workers, and communities.
Q. Can you talk briefly about your work with Start.coop. How did you get connected? What are some key pieces that they have supported you with? What was the process and what were the people like? Would you recommend others to join their program? What is the cost, if any, of the program? What is your general assessment of their program?
A. We can’t say enough about how wonderful and supportive Start.coop is for early stage cooperatives. We met one of the founder’s at the Boston Fermentation Festival last summer during a seminar on the connection between fermentation and cooperatives. He told us about the program. It seemed like a good fit so we applied. It’s highly competitive so we were honored to be selected. They provide funding ($36K split between cash and in-kind), training, mentors, and coaching to a cohort of scale-able cooperatives annually. We have had amazing mentors, including Jonathan Rosenberg, co-founder of Equal Exchange. We have also raised money through their friendly pitch sessions, and fine-tuned every aspect of our business plan through their training and coaching. The network of other coops in the program is also a highlight of the program. Each one is from a different part of the US and from sectors including music, farming, finance, housing, hiring, and consumer foods (us). We feel very close to them and know we will be able to support one another for years to come. There is only a nominal cost to apply. They are a cooperative as well, so we are members and vested in their success.
We encourage you to contact Sarah and Barbara if you are interested in Tootie’s Tempeh or if you have questions about their process of becoming a co-op. To learn more about Tootie’s Tempeh visit: https://tootiestempeh.com
At CMBA, we hope these highlights will help other co-ops work through their challenges and prompt ideas on how to improve their operations. We also hope that you feel compelled to reach out to us with possible solutions to issues that you think can help Tootie’s Tempeh. If you are a CMBA member and have specific ideas or questions, or if you want to connect with Sarah and Barbara, email us at emmy@maine.coop.” — Cooperative Maine Business Alliance