Niman Ranch Farmer Advocate Honored by Forbes
Elle Gadient, 27, farmer advocate for premium meat brand Niman Ranch, has been recognized on the prestigious 2023 Forbes 30 Under 30 Food and Drink list. The annual list features young leaders and entrepreneurs “redefining the way we eat, drink and think about consumption.” This acknowledgement honors Gadient’s dedication and passion for supporting independent U.S. family farmers and ranchers and sustainable agriculture.
“I am incredibly humbled and honored to be included on this list along with such impressive leaders,” Gadient said. “Growing up on a farm, supporting fellow small family farmers and sustainable agriculture has always been core to who I am. I am so thankful I am able to spend my days helping farming and ranching families, like mine, in the Niman Ranch network and beyond.”
Gadient grew up on her family’s diversified farm in eastern Iowa raising livestock, including Niman Ranch pigs, and will be the fifth generation in her family to farm in the Midwest. Gadient serves as farmer advocate at Niman Ranch, charged with providing support, education and community building among the brand’s network of hundreds of small to mid-size, independent family farms and ranches across the country. All Niman Ranch farms are Certified Humane and committed to raising livestock without antibiotics, hormones or crates.
“Since its establishment with the company’s founding farmers, Niman Ranch has built a model that ensures small, sustainable farmers have a market in a rapidly changing food system,” said Chris Oliviero, general manager of Niman Ranch. “Elle has taken the baton, providing a central hub and company voice for our farmer and rancher network, understanding firsthand the challenges farmers and rural communities face in today’s agriculture climate.”
While the average age of farmers in the United States is nearly 60, Niman Ranch’s average farmer age is 43 years old. This is credited to the opportunities and support the company, many led by Gadient, provide for beginning farmers. Since joining the Niman Ranch team in 2018, Gadient has been a key leader in several impactful farmer support programs including a farmer mentor program that matches beginning farmers with more seasoned producers as well as a new grant program to help young farmers improve their operations and adopt regenerative practices.
Gadient graduated from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, with majors in environmental science and business administration. Throughout college, Gadient was a Niman Ranch Next Generation Foundation scholarship recipient, including being awarded the first Phyllis Willis Pioneer Award in 2017, recognizing her passion for sustainability. In addition to her role as farmer advocate, Gadient serves as secretary for the Niman Ranch Next Generation Foundation and regularly travels back home to Iowa to help on the family farm.
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Pairwise Food Tech Company Adds Overly to Board
Pairwise, a food tech company that uses gene editing to develop new varieties of fruits and vegetables, has added its second independent board member, Harry Overly.
Overly serves as chief executive officer of Flagstone Foods, headquartered in Minneapolis, one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of private label snacks in North America. A portfolio company of Atlas Holdings, LLC., Flagstone is a leading supplier of innovative, premier snack mixes, mixed nuts and dried fruit products. Overly also serves as a board member of Flagstone Foods.
Overly serves as the executive chairman of the board at Sun-Maid Growers of California, where he served as president & chief executive officer for five years. He is best known throughout his 20-year career as a visionary, leading new product innovation for the category-leading food brands for which he has worked, with significant executive-level experience in marketing, sales, and strategy.
The addition of Overly to the Pairwise board of directors is timely, as his diverse leadership and expertise in introducing and managing healthy food brands and products will inform the launch of Conscious Greens, a portfolio of new varieties of colorful, nutrient-dense salad greens coming to the U.S. market in 2023.
“Harry’s experience leading organizations focused on delivering innovative healthy snacking and fruit products is key to our goal of bringing healthier snacking options to consumers,” said Tom Adams, chief executive officer and co-founder of Pairwise. “Harry’s strategic and operational leadership in the snacking industry will be key to our company’s success,” Adams said.
Prior to joining Sun-Maid, Overly was the CEO of North America for Deoleo, the seller of the world’s largest olive oil brands, best known in the US for Bertolli Olive Oil. Before leading Deoleo’s business, Harry was the chief customer officer of TreeHouse Foods, the largest private label-focused food manufacturer in the United States with sales of approximately $7 billion. Before TreeHouse, Harry held several positions within marketing, sales, and product innovation within Kraft Foods, The Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. and BestSweet, Inc.
In February 2021, Pairwise raised $90 million in a successful series B funding round, bringing total fundraising to $115 million when combined with the series A funding round. Additionally, Pairwise has a $100 million, five-year collaboration with Bayer Crop Science to advance gene editing tools in row crops. Pairwise is currently developing new types of leafy greens, berries, and cherries. In four years, the company has grown to over 150 employees with additional anticipated growth in 2023 as the company enters retail and food service.
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Buddy the Elf Headlines HelloFresh Spaghetti Kit
Meal kit company HelloFresh and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products are spreading holiday cheer like never before with the launch of limited-edition Buddy the Elf Spaghetti meal kits. Inspired by the dish featured in the beloved holiday film, Elf, these festive meal kits will provide fans – and anyone who shares Buddy’s affinity for elf culture – everything needed to make the sweet, syrupy, candy-filled spaghetti dish right in the comfort of their own workshops – we mean kitchens!
The HelloFresh version of the iconic dish famously devoured by Buddy the Elf stays true to an elf’s flavor palate, featuring notable ingredients – like candy and syrup – that are an essential part of an elf’s diet. Starting with Colavita spaghetti as the base, the HelloFresh recipe also includes maple syrup, chocolate syrup, marshmallows, chocolate nonpareil candies, crumbled chocolate frosted pastries, and more. With the option to eat with your hands or pair with a bottle of cola, Buddy the Elf Spaghetti is sure to make even South Pole elves smile.
“While drawing inspiration from the sweet spaghetti dish seen in the movie Elf, we created a chocolate-forward version that stays true to Buddy the Elf’s dish, incorporating crushed chocolate cereal, various chocolate candies, marshmallows, and of course, syrup,” said Michelle Doll Olson, HelloFresh culinary development manager. “Our goal is always to create recipes that are both tasty and fun to prepare, and we’re sure this over-the-top recipe will satisfy any elf’s sweet tooth while bringing the holiday spirit to your household!”
Starting on Dec. 5 at 12:25 p.m. EST, Buddy the Elf Spaghetti meal kits by HelloFresh will be available exclusively through www.HelloFreshElfSpaghetti.com with no subscription required. The kits are priced at $14.99 for two servings and include all of the pre-portioned ingredients and a step-by-step recipe card to make the dish in the comfort of your kitchen. A limited number of kits will be available for purchase each day from Monday, Dec. 5 through Friday, Dec. 9. Orders will be accepted on a first come, first served basis, regardless of whether you’re on the naughty or nice list. Orders open each day at 12:25 p.m. EST.
HelloFresh is also offering holiday-inspired recipes and winter-themed treats for every meal occasion this season featured on the HelloFresh menu and through the Market add-on store. Customers can check out www.HelloFresh.com and choose among a three-course feast, a selection of brunch options, special sides, decadent desserts, snacks, and more.
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