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The 2013 LOVE Book is a documentation of happenings at Love Grown Foods during 2013 -- a year that was a true milestone in the history of Love Grown Foods! Meet our founders, see customer feedback, check out recipes and MORE in our 2013 LOVE Book!
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2 0 1 3 L O V E B O O K
2 2013 LOVE Book | Letters from Alex & Maddy
1. Stephanie, Claire & Maddy enjoy LOVERs Lunch at the LOVE Pad 2. Claire & Maddy play a game of ping-pong at the LOVE Pad 3. The LOVE is spread at Denver Startup Week 4. Founders Maddy & Alex 5. Maddy speaks at the New York launch of Cooking Up A Business 6. Maddy checks out the Love Grown Foods story in Cooking Up A Business in Barnes & Noble 7. Celebrating the book launch of Cooking Up A Business in NYC 8. The LOVE Team goes bowling 9. Katie, Maddy & Kristen spread the LOVE at Expo West 10. Claire ships out some LOVE 11. Maddy & Alex sit on the panel at the Colorado Book Launch of Cooking Up A Business 12. Maddy visits with LOVE Blogger Dory 13. The ‘Vision Board’ 14. Maddy signs her name tag at the Colorado Book Launch of Cooking Up A Business 15. Claire, Maddy, Alex, Mike, and Christina enjoy LOVERs Lunch at the LOVE Pad 16. The LOVE 17. The LOVE Team celebrates the holidays with a White Elephant Gift Exchange & and Ugly Sweater Contest
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Maddy D’AmatoFounder, Chief Love Officer
Alex HasulakFounder, CEO
3Letters from Alex & Maddy | 2013 LOVE Book
was a true milestone in the history of Love Grown Foods®. It started with launching our second product line, Hot Oats. We had patiently devoted ourselves to growing our foundation with our Oat Clusters, and finally were ready to expand into new products. The Hot Oats took the nation by LOVE Storm! As a small (but mighty), nimble company we are able to bring ideas to market in a snap of the fingers. People LOVEd our Hot Oats, but kept asking if we offered a “plain” flavor. Plain oatmeal is pretty boring, but when we had the idea of creating a blend of oats, chia seeds, quinoa flakes, and amaranth flakes, our third product was born: Super Oats. We successfully launched Super Oats in the fall of 2013, and it too has taken the nation by LOVE Storm!
In addition to expanding our product offerings, in 2013 we also made awesome additions to our team. As we grew our team, we also further developed our company culture. In 2013 we started LOVERs Lunch, a regular team lunch where one person brings homemade lunch for the entire team and we eat family-style and then play ping-pong. We also created our Vision Board, where team members pin their visions/goals/targets for what we want to accomplish and make happen.
This year, Rachel Hofstetter’s book, Cooking Up A Business was published by Penguin, which features an entire chapter on Love Grown Foods®, how we met in college, fell in love, and started the company! Reading our story in a published book is a surreal experience. This is an incredible honor, especially because the book features awesome companies such as Justin’s, Popchips, Evol, and Vosges Chocolate.
We are wrapping up the year by finalizing and preparing to launch our fourth and most innovative product yet. It is exciting to continue to put the ‘foods’ into Love Grown Foods®!
We can’t wait to see what 2014 brings! Here’s to spreading even more LOVE!
Spread LOVE,
Letter from Maddy & Alex
Q&A with Maddy & Alex
Products
The LOVE Team
2013 Timeline
Passion
2013 LOVE Notes
Recipes
LOVE Bloggers
Press
What’s next for 2014?
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142013
MADDY & ALEXIf you were to go back to December 2012, what would surprise you most about Love Grown Foods® in 2013?Maddy: That we launched two new products and developed and are preparing to launch our fourth—and most innovative product yet! Alex: The rate the company continues to change and how much more confident I am in my abilities. In terms of my industry knowledge, I feel like I jumped from kindergarten in 2012 to
5th grade in 2013. It is a very humbling experience to feel like I have learned so much in the past year, but then realize that I haven’t even finished the first chapter. I feel we tend to think in short time frames, but when we take a step back and look at the bigger picture, possibilities are boundless.
What was a typical day like for you in 2013?Maddy: It was never the same! I may have been traveling across
the country calling on our nation-al accounts to gain more distribu-tion. I may have been in the office working with our team on every-thing from new product devel-opment, packaging designs, so-cial media campaigns, or PR. Or I may have been in classrooms educating kids on the impor-tance of healthy eating. No mat-ter what it was, there was a lot of LOVE-spreading involved!Alex: In 2013, every day was different. Many of my days in-volved working with our manu-facturing team to trouble shoot production and shipping, de-
veloping new products and designing packaging for those products, reviewing our financ-es, reading legal documents, and hiring team members.
You’ve had a lot of big wins over the years, but what was your biggest “win” in 2013”?Maddy: We picked up a thrilling account in 2013…but won’t be hitting the shelves until 2014. I never count my eggs before the hatch, but all I will say is that this is a big breakthrough for Love Grown Foods®!Alex: Our biggest win in 2013
4 2013 LOVE Book | Q&A with Maddy & Alex
Questions by Rachel Hofstetter, author of Cooking Up A Business.
5Q&A with Maddy & Alex | 2013 LOVE Book
was the development of our internal (and external) team. I feel like we have found the right ground/base to pour our foundation.
There is a lot of handmade power here in the LOVE Pad, from standing desks to a Vision Board. Tell me about what you’ve created in 2013, beyond the obvious business success.Maddy: We have creative a natural food brand that has a presence. Granola is only one di-mensional, and in 2013 we really
made a point to grow and ex-pand into a natural foods brand. We were advised to stick in the cereal category—for now—which was great advice and have taken that advice and run with it! Next up: boxed cereal!Alex: We have built a more con-sistent brand image. We have a much more defined path to the look and feel of our brand.
What was the biggest lesson you learned in 2013?Maddy: I learned the benefits of being a nimble and quick com-pany and how to use it to our
advantage. We developed and launched our third product line, Super Oats, in less than 4 months and are able to leverage the ability to act fast and run with a great idea when we have it!Alex: The biggest lesson I have learned in 2013 is the impor-tance of timing. Timing is critical to the success of new products and being even just a month late can push everything back a year.
It wouldn’t be a yearbook without a look towards the future: What are you most excited for in 2014?
Maddy: I am most excited to continue to build our product offering as well as our team. It is so much fun growing a collabo-rative, fun, hard-working team. Together we are propelling this business forward and it is so exciting to see it unfold! Alex: I am most excited about our newest and most innovate product that will launch in early 2014. I believe it will finally get people passed the perceived “granola company” connotation to seeing Love Grown Foods® as a true natural foods company, which was ALWAYS the goal.
6 2013 LOVE Book | Products
PRODUCTSIn 2013, we launched Hot Oats & Super Oats!
7The LOVE Team | 2013 LOVE Book
LOVE TEAMthe
Meet the people working behind the scenes to spread the LOVE!
Top Row:Bill - Eastern Regional SalesKatie - Western Regional SalesMike - Controller
Middle Row:Claire - Sales and Operations CoordinatorStephanie - Multimedia DesignerChristina - Bookkeeper
Bottom Row:Melissa - Midwest Regional LOVE AmbassadorSweet Pea - the LOVE Prius
MarchLove Grown Foods® attends the 2013 Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, California.
MayInterns Johnny & Matt do a one month internship at Love Grown Foods®.
JulyLove Grown Foods® participates in the 4th Annual Race for the Cure in Aspen, Colorado.
JuneAlex, Mike, Stephanie & Claire enjoy the weekly LOVERs Lunch at the LOVE Pad.
AprilLove Grown Foods® begins R&D on the third product Super Oats to be launched in September 2013.
FebruaryHot Oats hits the shelves in Whole Foods Market!
8 2013 LOVE Book | 2013 Timeline
2013 TIMELINE2013 was a busy year! Check out some of our milestones from 2013!
SeptemberThe LOVE Pad expands.
SeptemberMaddy speaks at the Denver Startup Week Kick-Off Event.
DecemberLove Grown Foods® is featured in Rachel Hofstetter’s book Cooking Up A Business.
OctoberSuper Oats and Hot Oats hit shelves nationwide in Kroger.
AugustLove Grown Foods® releases its third product: Super Oats.
SeptemberAlex builds standing desks for the team at the LOVE Pad.
92013 Timeline | 2013 LOVE Book
10 2013 LOVE Book | Passion
11Passion | 2013 LOVE Book
We believe for-profit companies have a responsibility to lead change. Our passion is kids’ health and we believe too many kids are not educated on how to properly fuel their bodies, yet these are the life tools that help them grow up to be healthy adults. It’s so much harder to change our eating habits in our 20s, 30s, and 40s. That’s why we are dedicated to ensuring that kids learn healthy habits that they will keep for life.
Our passion for health is unyielding, and it breaks our hearts to know that the majority of illnesses plaguing our nation today are preventable. That’s why we are visiting classrooms and working with kids to show them early on that healthy food can taste delicious.
In the classroom, we talk about how to properly fuel our bodies to help kids perform at such a critical time of their lives. We are actively working to bring health education to the youth of our nation so they may grow up to be happy and healthy adults.
We are driven to motivate people, especially kids and their parents, to eat healthier, live a more active lifestyle, and to live a life they love.
PASSION
LOVE NOTES2013
12 2013 LOVE Book | 2013 LOVE Notes
Completely hooked on your Hot Oats! Chrissy S.November 13
I just opened a bag of Sweet Cranberry Pecan Oat Clusters and I must say my taste buds are im-pressed! I am fight-ing with my 1 and 2 yr old for control! Thank You!Ashley T.October 23
Oh my goodness - first time trying the new Love Oats (great for a quick, nutritious work snack) and its more then I could ever have imagined! Perfect, perfect, perfect! Sara T.February 21
I absolutely love your breakfast op-tions! I love them so much that I reached out to my local New Seasons market and begged them to start carrying your products. There’s nothing I like more than supporting an amazing brand with fabulous products. Thanks for offering such a healthy choice for people like me who prefer foods without refined sugars and gluten. You guys rock! Alisha R.June 16
You guys make the best granola! It changed my breakfast!Megan P.March 15
Just started eating your product... Amazing!! Love itAdam G.January 8
My 16 month old loves your products and so do I!Jenn B.February 28
I just tried your Cocoa Oats for the first time this week-end and I loved it!!! I almost couldn’t put the bag down & almost finished it in one day!!!Galen H. August 19
Just tried my first Love Grown Foods product - the apple walnut clusters. So delicious! So per-fectly sweetened so that it’s not over-sweet.Suzan K.April 16
Thank you so much for the gluten-free granola! My boys miss it the most in their GF diet. You made our day!Pamela E.September 6
Thank heavens for LOVE GROWN FOODS! I FINAL-LY found you at our local Smith’s Marketplace and am overjoyed (I bought all 4 flavors that they had!)! I’m currently munching on the ever so delightful Raisin Almond Crunch granola! Thank you, thank you, thank you for quality, clean, and great tasting granola! Amanda F.July 2
I’m officially an addict!Sherry F.May 20
Just found out I have Celiac and I was wanting to find a snack, so I picked up your Sweet Cranberry Pecan Oat Clusters! SO SO delicious!!! I’m planning to contin-ue munching your products. Thank you for making healthy foods yummy.Haley E.January 15
Love, love, love your granola!!! Sweet Cranberry Pecan is my favorite, but they’e all delish. The first time I tasted it, I felt as if I was eating a delicious crunchy cookie, and a healthy one at that. I enjoy it as a crunchy addition to oatmeal or yogurt, and of course, straight out of the bag. Laura G.Feb 26
132013 LOVE Notes | 2013 LOVE Book
Just wanna say I’m in LOVE with your Super Oats Chia - perfect complex carb for my morning protein shakes!43fitnessOctober 3
Just bought my first bag of Love Grown Oats - Cocoa Good-ness. I’m addicted!!! Thanks for the wonderful product.Dorie D.May 10
Thank you for making such a great tasting product such as the oat clusters. Bought my 1st bag this evening! Great breakfast cereal & snack! And gluten & GMO free to boot!Robert B.March 8
CANT STOP ... MUST STOP ... BUT...SO GOOD!!!!! #raisinalmondcrunchMeg P.July 11
Just picked up the Sweet Cranberry Coconut Pecan and it is the best, my 5 year old son can’t get enough of it. We both love it with coconut milk!Jayme S.April 14
Your Hot Oats Blueberry are now my weekday morning routine. Easy, tasty, healthy and low (est) in sugar. I add warmed goat milk on top!Lan N.April 12
A little shout out to LOVE GROWN FOODS for helping me get through my mornings while I was kitchen-less during house renovations! You guys rock!Ashley S.September 25
Tried the raisin almond crunch granola today & it’s phenomenal!! My new fave!! XoxoDiane P.June 4
I was thrilled to find your products. I find it very difficult to feed my family non-GMO. Thank you.Rebecca D.November 11
I am loving your chocolate granola. It is the best I have ever tried! Michelle S.June 20
We receive so much LOVE from fans on social media! Check out some of the LOVE Notes from 2013!/ LOV EG ROW N FO O DS
Super Oats Pumpkin PancakesMakes about 6 four-inch pancakes
2 eggs1 teaspoon vanilla1 tablespoon milk
1 can (14oz) pumpkin pie filling* (reserve remaining pumpkin for the
Greek Yogurt)1 cup Super Oats Simply Pure blend
1 teaspoon baking powder1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoon brown sugar, firmly packed1 pinch of salt
coconut oil (to grease the pan)2/3 cup plain Greek Yogurt
Pomegranate seedsRaspberries
*Pumpkin Pie Filling is slightly sweetened and also has added spices, you can always use plain
pumpkin puree and just add a little maple syrup and cinnamon.
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, vanilla, milk, and 1/3 cup pumpkin. In a separate bowl, mix together the Super Oats, baking powder, cinnamon, brown sugar, and salt. Combine the dry ingredients with the wet. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium-high heat. Scoop batter onto the griddle, using approximately ¼ cup for each pancake. Cook until lightly brown around the edges and bubbly, flip and lightly brown the other side. In a small bowl mix the plain Greek Yogurt with 1/3 cup of the remaining canned pumpkin. Serve pancakes hot with a dallop of pumpkin Greek yogurt, pomegranite seeds, raspberries, and maple syrup.
RECIPES
14 2013 LOVE Book | Recipes
Try some of our favorite LOVE-filledrecipies for yourself!
1/2 cup Super Oats1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt2/3 cups almond butter (dry roasted,
no sugar added)1 egg
1/2 cup brown sugar1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup mini chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350°F. In a small bowl, combine the Super Oats, baking soda, and salt. In a kitchen aid mixer (or large mixing bowl) beat together the almond butter, egg, and brown sugar until mixed. Scrape down sides. Slowly mix in the Super Oats mixture until mixed. Mix in the chocolate chips. Using a tablespoon measuring spoon, drop dough by the heaping spoonful onto an ungreased cookie sheet (will make 12 cookies). Bake for 8-12 minutes (or until golden brown on the edges). Remove from cookie sheet and let cool on drying rack.
1 Hot Oats cup (any flavor)1 egg
1 tablespoon milk2 1/2 tablespoons frozen berries
Shake Hot Oats cup to evenly distribute ingredients. Remove lid and seal. Using a fork, mix in egg until evenly mixed and there are no dry oats. Mix in milk. Fold in the frozen berries. Microwave for 1.5 minutes on high. If muffin is too runny, microwave in additional 15 second intervals until oats are firm to the touch. Carefully remove cup from microwave.* Loosen muffin from sides of cup with a knive and remove. Let cool and enjoy warm. *Caution, cup will be hot! Be careful removing from the microwave.
Almond Butter Super Oats CookiesMakes 1 dozen cookies
Hot Oats MuffinMakes 1 muffin
15Recipes | 2013 LOVE Book
BrittanyEating Bird Foodeatingbirdfood.com
Fitness goal:Pull-ups
BrittanyA Healthy Slice of Lifeahealthysliceoflife.com
Favorite fitness gear:Anything from Athleta
AmandaRun to the Finishruntothefinish.com
Favorite exercise:Running
AllieLive Laugh Eatlivelaugheat.com
Favorite fitness gear:CEP Pink Compression Socks
AlyssaLife of Blysslifeofblyss.com
Favorite kitchen appliance:Vitamix
LOVE BLOGGERS
16 2013 LOVE Book | LOVE Bloggers
Our LOVE Bloggers are an awesome extension of our team, spreading the LOVE one blog post at a time. Check out our LOVE Bloggers’ favorite flavor of LOVE & a fun fact about each of them!
AngelaEat Spin Run Repeateat-spin-run-repeat.com
Currently reading:Marathon Womanby Katherine Switzer
BobbiN Her Shoesbobbimccormick.com
Food obsession:Avacado onWhole WheatToast
Kristin Stuft Mamastuftmama.com
Favorite kitchen appliance:Stove Top Espresso Maker
LindsayThe Cotter Crunchcottercrunch.com
Currently reading:Greaterby Steven Furtick
SarahThe Smart Kitchenthesmartkitchenblog.com
Favorite kitchen appliance:Cuisinart Food Processor
LindsayThe Lean Green Beanleangreenbean.com
Favorite fitness gear:Reebok Nanos
17LOVE Bloggers | 2013 LOVE Book
ColleenThe Lunchbox Diariesthelunchboxdiaries.com
Favorite exercise:Body Pump
CourtneySweet Tooth Sweet Lifesweettoothsweetlife.com
Food obsession: Peanut Butter
DoryLiving With Healthy Hungerlivingwithhealthyhunger.com
Favorite fitness gear:Lululemon Speed Shorts
HeatherDietitian On The Rundietitianontherun.com
Favorite exercise:Cross-fit
HillaryNutrition Nut on the Runnutritionnutontherun.com
Food obsession:Green Smoothies
KateSimply Nutritious by Katesimplynutritiousbykate.com
Fitness goal:More Defined Arms
ChelseyClean Eating Chelseycleaneatingchelsey.com
Favorite kitchen appliance:Immersion Blender
ClareFitting It All Infittingitallinblog.com
Favorite exercise:Yoga
18 2013 LOVE Book | Press
Love Grown Foods® is featured on Parents.com in December when Rachel Hofstetter’s Cooking Up A Business is named as a “Mom Must Read.”
Love Grown Foods® is mentioned in the December 2013/January 2014 issue of Fast Company.
Love Grown Foods® is featured in Rachel Hofstetter’s book Cooking Up A Business, released December 3.
“”
Love makes everything taste
better. It’s the secret sauce.
-Maddy D’Amato
Love Grown Foods® Hot Oats are featured in Natural Food Merchandiser in April 2013 as a top pick for a high-protein food option.
PRESS Love Grown Foods® received some excitingpress in 2013! Check it out!
In August, Today Food featured Love Grown Foods® Cocoa Goodness Oat Clusters as a healthy snack option.
“”
Loaded with hearty chunks of gluten-free oats–and chocolate chips!–this granola is
hard to resist.
Delicious Living Magazine named Love Grown Foods® a finalist for Best Breakthrough Brand in July.
19What’s Next | 2013 LOVE Book
WHAT’S NEXTFOR 2014?
We are thrilled to announce that in 2014 we will be launching our fourth and most innovative product yet!
/LOVEGROWNFOODSwww.lovegrownfoods.com
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