Pulp Pantry on 'Shark Tank': What is the cost, who is the founder, and how snacks can help the environment
Finding a suitable healthy snacking alternative isn't always easy. Nutrition aside, certain healthy options are known to be harmful to the environment, leaving you in a fix. Thankfully, there is a brand out there that is good for you and the world -- Pulp Pantry!
While Pulp Pantry has impressed customers so far, they are now set to impress Mark Cuban, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, Kevin O'Leary, and Emma Grede on 'Shark Tank'. The question is -- do they have what it takes?
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What is Pulp Pantry?
Looking for a way to binge on healthy snacks while helping the environment? Pulp Pantry is here to show you how! As per the website, "Pulp Pantry puts vegetables at the front of your pantry, in unexpected places like chips and more to come. We believe that healthy eating shouldn't be complicated. With a little ingenuity, we're here to see that vegetables make it to every aisle of the grocery store."
Who are the founders?
Kaitlin Mogentale is the CEO and founder of Pulp Pantry. She was previously a Teaching Assistant at Garden School Foundation and was a Volunteer Strategist before that. As per her LinkedIn, she is a "self-proclaimed food waste warrior and deeply passionate about the impact that food has on personal health and wellbeing, as well as sustainability and community."
She graduated from the University of Southern California and has a Bachelor's Degree, B.S. Environmental Studies, minors in Urban Policy & Planning and Social Entrepreneurship. As per the brand's website, Pulp Pantry began with a simple question, when Kaitlin watched a friend juice a carrot, leaving the pulp behind. The question was "what do you do with your pulp?"
Seeing that her friend had no real answer, "Kaitlin's inner food waste warrior couldn't help but want to rescue the carrot's better half. She happily took the pulp home to make her first-ever juice pulp carrot cookies. After calling up a few local juiceries, it was clear that many didn't have the capacity or resources to do much of anything with their pulp. Thus began the quest to find a more widespread solution, one that would ensure good food is put to good use: nourishing humanity."
She has certainly come a long way since then, seeing that the brand now "works with large manufacturers to turn overlooked resources like fresh-pressed vegetables into wholesome pantry staples that make it convenient and delicious to eat more servings of vegetables and fiber."
What is the cost and where to buy?
Available in a range of flavors, Pulp Pantry chips start from 4 packs, which retail for $20, 6 packs which retail for $30, and 12 packs which retail for $55. They also have a 'Shark Tank' special variety pack, which includes 2 Jalapeño Lime, 2 Barbecue, 2 Salt 'n' Vinegar, and 2 Sea Salt for $35. You can purchase the chips on the brand's website or at Target and Whole Foods Market across California and the West Coast.
So far, the brand has been a hit among customers, as one reviewer wrote, "I eat a pretty healthy diet overall but have a bad habit of snacking on lots of chips and crackers. I tried the Pulp Pantry Spicy BBQ chips to see if I could replace my cravings with something healthier and they certainly did the job. I wouldn't say they are as tasty as a Ruffles chip but you wouldn't compare a salad to buffalo wings either. I will certainly purchase many more bags going forward."
Another said, "I was a little skeptical when I ordered these. I didn't think I'd like them too much. Well, they got here & then I opened a bag, tried one chip & OMG they were THE best chip I've ever had! They sure don't taste healthy or like they're made from veggies. They're packed full of flavor. I chose Jalapeno Lime & yes that's exactly what you can taste. My new favorite snack. Oh and I wasn't left feeling bloated afterward like regular chips leave you feeling either!"
Another customer mentioned, "I was pleasantly surprised at how satisfying a few of your chips were in comparison to an entire bag of regular potato chips. I still get the salt and crunch, but knowing that they are also more nutritious makes them a "guilt-free" and healthier choice. I will definitely try other flavors, but for now, Jalapeno Lime is yummy!"
Where is Pulp Pantry now?
Pulp Pantry seems to be making waves, seeing that it is a favorite among those who want to eat clean while reducing waste. It has even gotten a seal of approval from Mindy Kaling, as seen in a post by the brand on Instagram.
Who will steal the deal?
It is hard to say who might take the bait depending on the numbers. However, there is a good chance Mark Cuban might be the shark to invest in the brand. Looks like fans will just have to wait and find out!
'Shark Tank' Season 13 Episode 22 airs on ABC on May 6, 2022, at 8 pm ET. Catch the latest episode featuring products like Pricklee, Pulp Pantry, Ooakshell, and Kawaii Lighting.
Missed an episode? Been wanting to catch up? Episodes can also be viewed the next day on demand and on Hulu. Not just that, you can also watch old seasons and episodes on Amazon Prime Video and iTunes.