Handout

Three value-based natural food companies will unite as one, backed by infusion of growth capital by Natural Food Partners, LLC

March 7, 2017 – Tribe 9 Foods is thrilled to announce that three innovative natural food companies – RP’s Pasta Company, Yumbutter, and Ona – will join the newly formed brand family, in addition to an infusion of growth capital by Natural Food Partners, LLC. This partnership of value-based companies will provide Tribe 9 with a larger platform for the perpetuation of consumer lifestyles that promote eating and living well. It will also expand retail lines for customer benefit, as well as contract manufacturing and private label opportunities for other start-up or established brands through the contract manufacturing label Real Food Innovations (RFI).

“Tribe 9 is focused on building brands that offer delicious, nourishing and functional natural food options across a variety of categories,” explains Brian Durst, Tribe 9 CEO. “The merging of these three innovative brands accelerates our efforts to deliver more outstanding products to our consumers and builds upon our dream to grow the Tribe 9 family and expand our social mission, whether through new product launches or acquisition of additional brands.”

All three leadership teams will remain substantial owners in Tribe 9 Foods and look forward to working in tandem to achieve a new level of growth – continuing the evolution of a tasty and innovative gluten free, grain free and nut butter product portfolio. The company also sees an opportunity to provide a much higher service level to brands working with co-packers. In addition to manufacturing their food, Tribe 9 Foods hopes to create partnerships in which they help grow and protect the interests of their customers.

Rich Ciurczak, who successfully oversaw the growth at RP’s Pasta for the last eight years and at Yumbutter for the last two years, will serve as Tribe 9’s President and CFO. Ciurczak notes: “We will continue to create the same high-quality foods our fans love as the brands they’ve come to value and trust over the years. RP’s Pasta, Yumbutter and Ona will each maintain their unique voice, deeply-rooted values and strong growth trajectory under the umbrella of Tribe 9 Foods.”

Tribe 9’s products can currently be found in over 6,000 locations, including Whole Foods, Target, Sprout’s, Wegmans, Safeway, Natural Grocers and many others nationwide. Visit all three natural food companies this week at Expo West: RP’s Pasta at booth #5565, Yumbutter at booth #8804 and Ona at booth #M319.

About Tribe 9 Foods

Tribe 9 Foods was formed in 2016 through the merger of three natural food companies, to create delicious, nourishing, and functional food to improve the lives of others. The Tribe 9 family of brands includes RP’s Pasta Company, Yumbutter and Ona and manufactures fresh pasta, organic nut butters and grain-free bars and cookies. Please visit tribe9foods.com for more information.