JAMBAR Featured on CBS by Top Nutritionist as ‘Best Healthy Back to School Snack’
Renowned nutrition expert Mia Syn, M.S., R.D.N., highlights the balanced, organic whole food attributes of JAMBARs on CBS San Diego
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (Sept 29, 2024) – Mia Syn, a national on-air nutrition expert and one of the most recognized and trusted young dietitians in the country, featured JAMBAR as a “Healthy Back to School Snack” in the Aug. 23 airing on CBS San Diego. Syn has more TV appearances than any other young nutritionist in the country and has helped millions of viewers, readers and clients learn and implement healthier, sustainable eating habits.
"As a registered dietitian, I look for organic snacks like JAMBAR that are made with real food ingredients and offer a balance of protein and fiber to help keep kids from preschool through college satisfied and fueled between meals,” says Syn, M.S., R.D.N. “JAMBARs are delicious and don’t crumble or melt so they are perfect to toss in backpacks for lunch and snacks before or after sports. The Chocolate Cha Cha flavor is especially great for nut-free schools.”
Registered dietitian nutritionist Mia Syn
JAMBAR founder, food scientist and mother of six Jenny Maxwell estimates she’s made about 28,000 school lunches over the last two decades. So when parents tuck her JAMBAR energy bars into their kids’ backpacks, she knows they’ll fuel the school day in the most delicious and nutritious way possible.
"Having a nutrition expert like Mia recognize JAMBARs as some of the healthiest and most delicious snacks out there for kids is quite an accolade," says Maxwell. "Her advocacy for evidence-based nutrition is impressive. As a food scientist myself, I truly appreciate Mia's stamp of approval."
JAMBAR stands out with a unique blend of real-food organic ingredients that provide a nutritious option without compromising on the taste buds. Each JAMBAR provides 10g of protein and 4g of fiber, with no added oils or processed sugars. Every JAMBAR contains plant-based sunflower and/or milk protein, along with real maple syrup, honey and/or juices as sweeteners. All of JAMBAR’s five flavors are certified organic, gluten-free and non-GMO. Unlike other energy bars that crumble or melt, JAMBAR is made to endure, ensuring that they remain intact and tasty whether tucked into a bento box, lunchbox or backpack pocket.
JAMBAR founder and CEO Jennifer Maxwell is at center.
About JAMBAR
In 2021, Jennifer Maxwell founded JAMBAR with the goal of helping people feel good not only about the ingredients they put in their bodies, but also about the positive impact they can have on their local communities. JAMBARs are made in the U.S. and crafted in small batches in the company’s own state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Northern California. A woman-owned business and a mission-based “conscious CPG brand,” JAMBAR donates 50% of after-tax profits to organizations that support music and active living. JAMBAR is available in leading grocers and specialty and athletic stores including Whole Foods, Safeway (NorCal Division), Raley’s Supermarkets, Erewhon, Mother’s Market & Kitchen, Lazy Acres, Gelson’s Markets, Earth Fare, The Fresh Market, Good Earth Natural Foods, Mollie Stone’s Markets, Nugget Market, Cambridge Naturals, United Market, Scotty’s Market, Lucky’s Market, Bon Appetit, Fleet Feet, and more.
Learn more at www.jambar.com and follow JAMBAR on Facebook and Instagram.
About Mia Syn, M.S., R.D.N.
Mia Syn is a nationally recognized nutrition expert and author. She has been featured by dozens of major media outlets including Cosmopolitan and SHAPE and was named one of the top registered dietitians to follow on Instagram by Women’s Health magazine. You can follow her @nutritionbymia for daily nutrition tips and easy healthy recipes.
Media Contact
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel: 303.807.1042
JAMBAR Organic Artisan Energy Bars Now Available in Select California and Hawaii Whole Foods Market Stores
In keeping with Whole Foods Market’s mission of giving back to the community, JAMBAR donates 50% of after-tax profits to local music and active-living organizations
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (June 19, 2024) – JAMBAR®, the artisan-made organic energy bar company launched in 2021 by PowerBar® co-founder Jennifer Maxwell, continues to expand its nationwide retail footprint. JAMBARs will now be carried in select Whole Foods Market stores in Northern California, Southern California and Hawaii.
“JAMBAR is excited to be a part of the Whole Foods Market family. These organic energy bars not only meet Whole Foods Market’s high-quality standards, but they’re also delicious,” said JAMBAR founder and CEO Jennifer Maxwell. “Our company’s dedication to organic food and farming, along with its commitment to giving back, makes JAMBAR a natural addition to Whole Foods Market shelves,” she added.
Maxwell and her late husband, Brian, essentially created the energy bar category when they launched the original PowerBar in 1985. More than three decades later, Maxwell had a new vision. She put the KitchenAid mixer she used for the first PowerBars back to work, blending the highest-quality, most innovative organic ingredients into a new type of whole food energy bar.
The result is JAMBAR. Whole Foods Market will offer four flavors of JAMBAR – Malt Nut Melody, Musical Mango, Chocolate Cha Cha and Jammin’ Jazzleberry. JAMBARs are made with organic, gluten-free ancient grains, berries, fruit, nuts, fair-trade chocolate, proteins from sunflowers and organic dairy, and pure syrup, juices and honey as sweeteners. The Musical Mango and Jammin’ Jazzleberry varieties are 100% vegan and suitable for plant-based diets. All JAMBARs contain 10g of premium quality protein.
JAMBARs are made in the U.S. and crafted in small batches in the company’s own state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Northern California. A woman-owned business and a mission-based “conscious CPG brand,” JAMBAR donates 50% of after-tax profits to organizations that support music and active living. Runner’s World named JAMBAR the Best Protein Bar for runners in 2022 and also recognized JAMBAR with its 2023 Fitness Nutrition Award.
JAMBAR is distributed by leading natural and specialty foods distributors, including UNFI and KEHE. For wholesale inquiries, contact jammin@jambar.com, 877-JAMBARZ.
About JAMBAR
In 2021, Jennifer Maxwell founded JAMBAR with the goal of helping people feel good not only about the ingredients they put in their bodies, but also about the positive impact they can have on their local communities. A mission-based brand, JAMBAR donates 50% of after-tax profits to organizations that support music and active living. Runner’s World named JAMBAR the Best Protein Bar for runners in 2022 and also recognized JAMBAR with its 2023 Fitness Nutrition Award.
Learn more at www.jambar.com and follow JAMBAR on Facebook and Instagram.
Media Contact
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel: 303.807.1042
JAMBAR Making Waves With New Tropical Trio Flavor and Signing of Pro Surfer Tia Blanco
Organic Energy Bar Maker Also Announces Three-Flavor Vegan Box
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (March 6, 2024) – Organic energy bar maker JAMBAR today announced the launch of Tropical Trio – a new vegan flavor featuring a bright and breezy blend of banana, pineapple and coconut. In addition to this ensemble of island fruits, the new bar contains gluten-free ancient grains, walnut butter and 10 grams of plant-based protein. JAMBAR also revealed the signing of pro surfer, mother and plant-based athlete Tia Blanco, as well as the launch of a 12-bar vegan box that will include Tropical Trio, Jammin’ Jazzleberry and Musical Mango.
The new flavor was formulated by JAMBAR founder Jennifer Maxwell, a food scientist and co-founder of the original PowerBar®. Designed to take taste buds on an island escape, Tropical Trio features comforting notes of banana that meet the exotic with hints of coconut and pineapple.
Professional surfer Tia Blanco.
Attendees at next week’s Natural Products Expo West (March 13-15) in Anaheim, California, will be the first to sample Tropical Trio at the JAMBAR booth (N2140). New JAMBAR ambassador Tia Blanco will be at the booth on Wednesday, March 13, from 1-4 p.m. for a meet and greet and to sign autographs.“Finally! A bar that not only tastes delicious, but one I can trust to deliver clean, plant-based energy. JAMBAR is the perfect fuel to power my active lifestyle and motherhood,” said Blanco.
A professional surfer from Southern California, Blanco was the gold medalist at the International Surfing Association Women’s World Surfing Championship in 2015 and 2016. She also won ABC’s The Ultimate Surfer competition in 2021 and is an accomplished yogi, painter and entrepreneur.
The newest member of Team JAMBAR, Blanco joins top-tier athletes including Olympic Gold Medalist Jonny Moseley, professional running power couple Joe Klecker and Sage Hurta-Klecker, Stroller Mile World Record Holder Neely Spence Gracey, pro cyclist and Gravel Hall of Famer Ali Tetrick, and professional skier and biker Ryan McElmon.
Tropical Trio is JAMBAR’s fifth flavor, and its first new flavor since the company launched in late 2021. In addition to the three vegan fruit flavors, JAMBAR also offers two bars that contain whey protein – Chocolate Cha Cha and Malt Nut Melody. All five flavors are crafted in a dedicated, state-of-the-art production facility in San Rafael, California.
JAMBAR Vegan Box Now Available
The company also announced the availability of a new 12-bar box featuring four bars each of JAMBAR’s three vegan options – Tropical Trio, Jammin’ Jazzleberry and Musical Mango. Every vegan bar contains 10 grams of high-quality sunflower protein and is sweetened using only organic maple syrup and natural sugars found in fruit.
The new vegan box can be purchased online at www.jambar.com and via Amazon Prime, and will be rolling out to retail locations this spring.
“Our vegan flavors pack a serious nutritional punch without sacrificing taste,” said Maxwell. “With the new vegan box, people who are focused on a plant-based diet can enjoy variety while staying true to their clean eating lifestyle.”
About JAMBAR
In late 2021, Jennifer Maxwell founded JAMBAR with the goal of helping people feel good about the ingredients they put in their bodies, and about the positive impact they can have on their local communities. Made from only premium organic ingredients, the bars feature ancient grains, authentic natural sweeteners and high-quality proteins.The company donates 50% of after-tax profits to organizations that support the transformative pursuits of music and sports. JAMBARs are available at jambar.com, via Amazon Prime, and at select grocery and sports specialty stores including Erewhon, Safeway (NorCal Division), Raley’s Supermarkets, Mother’s Market & Kitchen, Gelson’s Markets, Earth Fare, The Fresh Market, Good Earth Natural Foods, Mollie Stone’s Markets, Nugget Market and select Fleet Feet and other running store locations. Learn more at www.jambar.com and follow JAMBAR on Facebook and Instagram.
Media Contacts
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel: 303.807.1042
Debbie Pfeifer, JAMBAR, debbie@jambar.com, tel: 206.669.3580
Woman-Owned JAMBAR®, Maker of Organic Whole Food Energy Bars, Expands Retail Presence with Erewhon
Founded by Jennifer Maxwell, creator of the original PowerBar®, JAMBAR certified organic energy bars are now available in all 10 locations of leading natural products retailer Erewhon. Rapidly growing its retail and distribution base, JAMBAR also recently appointed natural products industry sales veteran Darren Wagoner as national sales manager.
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (Feb. 6, 2024) – Independent, woman-owned JAMBAR, the artisan-made, organic energy bar company founded in 2021 by Jennifer Maxwell, is pleased to announce significant expansion of its line of certified organic, whole food energy bars. Maxwell, a food scientist, athlete and musician, together with her late husband, Brian Maxwell, essentially created the entire energy bar category when they launched the original PowerBar® in the mid-1980s.
Consumers can now find JAMBAR organic energy bars in all 10 Erewhon locations. Based in Los Angeles, Erewhon is renowned as one of the most innovative natural products retailers in the U.S. Erewhon will offer three JAMBAR flavors – Malt Nut Melody, Chocolate Cha Cha and Jammin’ Jazzleberry. By supporting local producers, ethical brands and sustainable farming practices, offering exceptional customer service and education, and fostering community, Erewhon has built a reputation that attracts healthy lifestyle consumers, athletes, entertainers and celebrities alike.
“With its commitment to quality, selection and service, Erewhon has become a ‘gold standard’ among grocers who sell natural products. As a mission-based brand committed to providing customers with premium quality organic products at an affordable price, we’re excited to partner with Erewhon,” said Maxwell, JAMBAR’s CEO and founder.
“We are pleased to offer JAMBARs to our customers,” said Vito Antoci, executive vice president of Erewhon. “First, they are simply delicious and nutritious whole food, certified organic energy bars that meet our high standards. Second, we support mission-based brands such as JAMBAR, which donates 50% of after-tax profits to organizations that promote music and active living.”
JAMBAR Featured in Leading Groceries, Specialty Retailers
In addition to Erewhon, JAMBAR is expanding its retail presence across the U.S. – the company’s artisan-made, organic energy bars are now available in leading grocers and specialty and athletic stores, including Safeway (NorCal Division), Raley’s Supermarkets, Mother’s Market & Kitchen, Lazy Acres, Gelson’s Markets, Earth Fare, The Fresh Market, Good Earth Natural Foods, Mollie Stone’s Markets, Nugget Market, Cambridge Naturals, United Market, Scotty’s Market, Lucky’s Market, Bon Appetit, Fleet Feet and more.
Using only certified organic, whole food ingredients, JAMBARs are crafted in small batches in the company’s own state-of-the-art facility. Made of organic ancient grains, berries, nuts, premium chocolate, proteins from sunflowers and organic dairy, and real syrup, juices and honey as sweeteners, JAMBAR delivers a convenient, incredibly tasty bar you can take anywhere. All four flavors of JAMBAR — Malt Nut Melody, Musical Mango, Chocolate Cha Cha and Jammin’ Jazzleberry — are also available online at JAMBAR.com and via Amazon Prime.
For wholesale accounts, JAMBAR is distributed by leading natural and specialty foods distributors including UNFI, KeHE and Chex Distributing. For wholesale inquiries, contact jammin@jambar.com, tel 877-JAMBARZ.
JAMBAR Appoints National Sales Manager
In related news, JAMBAR recently appointed natural products industry sales veteran Darren Wagoner as national sales manager. Wagoner’s experience includes serving as national account manager and key account manager for such leading brands as Activate Drinks, Purity Organic, High Brew and CB Gourmet Foods. The appointment reflects the company’s focus on building sales in key natural products markets as it expands manufacturing and distribution.
Visit JAMBAR at Natural Products Expo West, Booth N2140
Visit JAMBAR at Natural Products Expo West, the world’s largest natural and organic products trade exhibition, March 13-15, 2024, Booth N2140 in the North Hall’s Hot Products Pavilion at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. In addition, JAMBAR will be sampling its products at all Erewhon Southern California locations the week before Expo West.
About JAMBAR
In 2021, Jennifer Maxwell founded JAMBAR with the goal of helping people feel good about the ingredients they put in their bodies, and about the positive impact they can have on their local communities. A mission-based brand, JAMBAR donates 50% of after-tax profits to organizations that support music and active living. Runner’s World named JAMBAR the Best Protein Bar for runners in 2022 and also recognized JAMBAR with its 2023 Fitness Nutrition Award. Learn more at www.jambar.com and follow JAMBAR on Facebook and Instagram.
Media Contacts
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel: 303.807.1042
Debbie Pfeifer, JAMBAR, debbie@jambar.com, tel: 206.669.3580
JAMBAR Signs Running Power Couple Joe & Sage Hurta-Klecker
Kleckers Call Organic Energy Bar Created by PowerBar Founder a ‘Training Tool’
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (Oct. 10, 2023) – Organic energy bar maker JAMBAR announced today that it has signed a sponsorship deal with runners Joe Klecker and Sage Hurta-Klecker. The married couple ran track together at CU Boulder and now are teammates and pro runners for On Athletics Club. As new members of Team JAMBAR, the Kleckers join athletes including Olympic gold medalist Jonny Moseley, Stroller Mile world record holder Neely Spence Gracey, pro cyclist and Gravel Hall of Famer Ali Tetrick and pro freestyle skier Ryan McElmon.
The son of an Olympian and a record-breaking ultramarathoner, Klecker and his five siblings grew up as competitive runners. He advanced to the 10,000-meter finals at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and in 2022 won the US Championships at that distance. Klecker is currently preparing for the indoor track season and has his sights on the Olympic Team trials in June. His favorite JAMBAR flavor is Chocolate Cha Cha, and he uses the bars to keep his energy up between training sessions.
Joe and Sage Hurta-Klecker
"Coming from a running family myself, I really connect with the history and authenticity that Jennifer brings to JAMBAR,” said Klecker. “You can tell this was a product created by an athlete -- it's digestible, has a great nutritional profile, but doesn't sacrifice taste.”
Hurta-Klecker was also born into a family of runners. A four-time All-American NCAA Champion in cross-country, she won the indoor NCAA Mile in 2021. Her current focus is to build momentum going into 2024, with a goal of qualifying for the US Olympic Team. When it comes to JAMBARs, Hurta-Klecker’s favorite flavor is Malt Nut Melody. Her nutritional philosophy focuses on adequate fueling and quality ingredients. “It’s invaluable to have a high-quality energy bar on hand to keep me fueled for training and competition,” she said.
"I spend a lot of time traveling to races around the world and love that JAMBARs are so easy to pack — they don't melt or crumble. These bars have become an important part of my training routine both at home and on the road,” Hurta-Klecker continued.
“Joe and Sage both had incredible collegiate careers. It’s been really exciting to watch them now competing at international events, and we are thrilled to help fuel their journey to the Olympic trials,” said Jennifer Maxwell, creator and CEO of JAMBAR and co-founder of the original PowerBar.
Each certified organic JAMBAR packs 10 grams of protein, natural sweeteners and premium ingredients. JAMBARs include vegan and gluten-free options and come in four flavors: Malt Nut Melody, Chocolate Cha Cha, Musical Mango and Jammin’ Jazzleberry. The name is inspired by Maxwell's passion for music, and the bars are crafted in a dedicated, state-of-the-art production facility in San Rafael, California.
About JAMBAR
In late 2021, Jennifer Maxwell founded JAMBAR with the goal of helping people feel good about the ingredients they put in their bodies, and about the positive impact they can have on their local communities. Made from only premium organic ingredients, the bars feature ancient grains, authentic natural sweeteners and high-quality proteins. The company donates 50% of after-tax profits to organizations that support the transformative pursuits of music and sports. Runner’s World named JAMBAR the Best Protein Bar for runners in 2022 and also gave JAMBAR a 2023 Fitness Nutrition Award. JAMBAR is the official energy bar of the Collegiate Running Association and is proud to sponsor hundreds of races and events. JAMBARs are available at jambar.com, on Amazon.com and at select grocery, running and sports specialty stores. Learn more at www.jambar.com and follow JAMBAR on Facebook and Instagram.
Media Contacts
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel: 303.807.1042
Debbie Pfeifer, JAMBAR, debbie@jambar.com, tel: 206.669.3580
JAMBAR Inks Sponsorship Deal With Neely Spence Gracey, Stroller Mile World Record Holder and 4x Olympic Trials Qualifier
Organic Energy Bar Created by PowerBar Founder Helps Fuel Gracey’s Active Lifestyle
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (July 18, 2023) – Organic energy bar maker JAMBAR announced today that it has signed distance runner and four-time Olympic Trials qualifier Neely Spence Gracey as a sponsored athlete. Three weeks ago, Gracey shattered the Stroller Mile World Record by more than 30 seconds, coming in at 5 minutes, 24 seconds while pushing her 2-year-old son. On Team JAMBAR, Gracey joins athletes including Olympic Gold Medalist Jonny Moseley, pro cyclist and Gravel Hall of Famer Ali Tetrick and pro freestyle skier Ryan McElmon.
“JAMBAR was created by someone like me – a lifelong runner and a mom,” said Gracey. “It’s my go-to energy bar, and since JAMBAR has only clean ingredients, I can also feel good about giving them to my kids.”
Neely Spence Gracey
Gracey is currently training for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in the marathon, which will be held in February 2024. She has represented Team USA five times, including at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships and at the Pan American Games. In college, she was an eight-time NCAA DII National Champion. In 2016, she was the top American woman at the Boston Marathon. Gracey serves as head of running for Guava Family, the stroller brand she used to set the stroller mile world record.
She is the founder of Get Running Coaching and is celebrating 10 years as a coach for her business. She recently co-authored Breakthrough Women’s Running: Dream Big and Train Smart.
“Neely is an inspiring example of how motherhood and elite athletic performance aren’t mutually exclusive,” said Jennifer Maxwell, creator and CEO of JAMBAR and co-founder of the original PowerBar. “We’re so excited to be working with her and cheering her on as she trains for the Olympic Trials.”
Gracey said she was drawn to JAMBAR due to its commitment to organic nutrition and the fact that the company gives back. JAMBAR donates 50% of after-tax profits to organizations that support active living and music. The name is inspired by Maxwell's passion for music, and the bars are crafted in a dedicated, state-of-the-art production facility in San Rafael, California. Each certified organic JAMBAR packs 10 grams of protein, natural sweeteners and premium ingredients. JAMBARs include vegan and gluten-free options and come in four flavors: Malt Nut Melody, Chocolate Cha Cha, Musical Mango and Jammin’ Jazzleberry. “My favorite JAMBAR flavor? It’s chocolate,” said Gracey. “But my kids are all about the peanut butter taste of Malt Nut.”
About JAMBAR
In late 2021, Jennifer Maxwell founded JAMBAR with the goal of helping people feel good about the ingredients they put in their bodies, and about the positive impact they can have on their local communities. Made from only premium organic ingredients, the bars feature ancient grains, authentic natural sweeteners and high-quality proteins.The company donates 50% of after-tax profits to organizations that support the transformative pursuits of music and sports. Runner’s World named JAMBAR the Best Protein Bar for runners in 2022 and also gave JAMBAR a 2023 Fitness Nutrition Award. JAMBAR is the official energy bar of the Collegiate Running Association and is proud to sponsor hundreds of races and events. JAMBARs are available at jambar.com, on Amazon.com and at select grocery, running and sports specialty stores. Learn more at www.jambar.com and follow JAMBAR on Facebook and Instagram.
Media Contacts
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel: 303.807.1042
Debbie Pfeifer, JAMBAR, debbie@jambar.com, tel: 206.669.3580
Compass Coffee Talk Podcast to Feature Ibraheem Basir, Founder & CEO of A Dozen Cousins
Compass Coffee Talk™, a popular live webinar series featuring conversations with business leaders in the natural, organic and sustainable products industry, welcomes Ibraheem Basir, founder & CEO of A Dozen Cousins, a top Black-owned natural food brand.
What: Compass Coffee Talk™
When: Wednesday, July 19, 2023, 8:30 am PT; 9:30 am MT; 10:30 am CT; 11:30 am ET
Presented by: Compass Natural, Connecting Media and Markets in Natural and Organic Products
Sponsored by: Presence Marketing, Naturally Boulder, Naturally New York and Naturally San Diego
Register: Register for Free Here
BOULDER, CO (June 15, 2023) —Ibraheem Basir, founder and CEO of A Dozen Cousins, a natural food brand making beans, rice, sauces and more, will appear on July 19, 2023, on the popular Compass Coffee Talk™ podcast, which features lively conversations with natural products industry leaders, innovators and experts designed to help guide entrepreneurs and businesses to succeed in the market.
A Dozen Cousins, whose offerings hark back to the traditional Creole, Caribbean and Latin American dishes that Basir enjoyed in his childhood in the culinary melting pot of Brooklyn, N.Y., is named after Basir’s daughter and her 11 cousins.
Ibraheem Basir of A Dozen Cousins
Basir grew up in a large family where food was at the center of all celebrations and gatherings. After observing a gap in the market for authentic, nutritious cultural foods, Basir launched A Dozen Cousins to provide the comforting, flavorful recipes he grew up eating with his family. The brand’s flagship beans have become the No. 1 item in their category on Amazon and are sold nationwide at retailers including Whole Foods, Sprouts and Target, among others.
Hosted by natural and organic products industry veterans Bill Capsalis and Steven Hoffman, Compass Coffee Talk is produced by Compass Natural Marketing, a leading public relations, branding and business development agency serving the natural, organic, eco-friendly and hemp products industries. Capsalis and Hoffman will interview Basir to learn more about his and his company’s story.
Helping the Natural Foods Industry Evolve
Basir is a passionate advocate for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the consumer packaged goods industry and seeks to help the natural foods space evolve and grow to reflect the diversity of the United States. He is a founding board member of Project Potluck, a nonprofit that provides a range of mentorship and education programming in support of its mission to help people of color build successful companies and careers in the CPG industry.
Basir holds a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the university’s Wharton School of Business. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and daughter.
Project Potluck
While breaking into the natural and organic products industry isn't easy for anyone, Black, Indigenous and other people from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds can find it especially challenging to attract investors, find the right co-packers, refine recipes and garner placement on retail shelves. Enter Project Potluck, established by Ibraheem Basir, CPG veteran and founder and CEO of A Dozen Cousins, a leading Black-owned natural food brand, to provide the support that minority entrepreneurs in the natural products space need to succeed. In March 2022, Project Potluck won New Hope Network’s inaugural Justice Award for its efforts to promote justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in the natural and organic products industry. Read about the organization in Forbes magazine.
Register for Compass Coffee Talk with Ibraheem Basir
Register here for free to participate in the upcoming Compass Coffee Talk, Wednesday, July 19, 2023, 11:30 am – Noon ET.
About Compass Coffee Talk
Take a 30-minute virtual coffee break with Compass Coffee Talk™. Hosted by natural industry veterans Bill Capsalis and Steve Hoffman, Coffee Talk features lively interactive conversations with industry leaders and experts designed to help guide entrepreneurs and businesses of any size succeed in the market for natural, organic, regenerative, hemp-derived and other eco-friendly products.
Compass Coffee Talk™ is produced by Compass Natural Marketing, a leading PR, branding and business development agency serving the natural and organic products industry.
Previous Episodes of Compass Coffee Talk
View the entire library of Compass Coffee Talk episodes on YouTube. Co-hosted by natural products industry veterans Steven Hoffman and Bill Capsalis, Compass Coffee Talk has featured notable professionals such as Jared Polis, governor of Colorado; Steve Hughes, co-founder of Sunrise Strategic Partners; John Mackey, CEO and co-founder, Whole Foods Market; Miyoko Schinner, CEO and founder, Miyoko’s Kitchen; John Foraker, CEO of Once Upon a Farm; Emerald-Jane Hunter, founder of the MyWhy Agency; Heather Terry, CEO of GoodSAM; Milton Zimmerman, executive vice president, Presence Marketing; Jennifer Maxwell, founder and CEO of JAMBAR®, and more.
Contact
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnaturalmarketing.com
Founding an Industry: Q&A With Energy Bar Entrepreneur Jennifer Maxwell
In the mid-1980s, Jennifer Biddulph was a nutrition and science major and track athlete at the University of California, Berkeley. Her boyfriend, Brian Maxwell, who had been a track star at UC Berkeley a decade earlier, was an Olympic marathon runner.
Like many marathoners at that time, Maxwell was concerned about what to eat to avoid running out of carbohydrate fuel and “hitting the wall” during a race. He and Biddulph began experimenting with recipes that included amino acids, complex and simple carbs, and other nutrients that could not only help high-level athletes perform, but also get what Biddulph called “that extra 1% advantage.”
In 1986, Maxwell and Biddulph debuted PowerBar®—the world’s first energy bar. In the ensuing years, the duo grew their company into a nine-figure business, married and had a family, and eventually sold PowerBar to Nestle in 2000.
JAMBAR founder and CEO Jennifer Maxwell
But in 2004, tragedy struck. Brian, who had been diagnosed with a congenital heart condition as a teenager, died of a heart attack at age 51—leaving behind Jennifer and six children under the age of 15. Devastated, Jennifer turned to music as a healing force. She took up the drums and today plays in two bands. She also started running again, and in 2021, combined all of her passions into a new energy-bar company, JAMBAR®.
All of JAMBAR’s four flavors are certified organic and whole-food based, and Jennifer Maxwell donates 50% of the company’s profits to community, education, music and outdoor activities. She also funds a sustainability program and entrepreneurship scholarship at the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business.
Recently, Maxwell joined industry veterans Bill Capsalis and Steven Hoffman for their podcast Compass Coffee Talk. Read on to learn more about the genesis and evolution of PowerBar and JAMBAR, along with Maxwell’s thoughts on philanthropy, sustainability and the future of the natural products industry.
Q: You literally created the energy bar industry and an entire food category out of scratch. What was it like back in PowerBar’s early days?
We started in our little apartment from nothing, really from nothing. And we grew not just a great product that was innovative at the time, but also a company that was innovative, as well.
We had an employee stock-ownership program, so all of our employees owned the company. We also divvied up the profits among all of the employees, from the warehouse people to top management. And I think that was one of the things that led to our success—people really believed in what we were doing, and they were essentially working for themselves.
Q: How did you actually get PowerBars out there and into stores?
We started as a mail-order business; of course, there was no Amazon at the time. We figured the bar would sell itself, so we'd go to events and give out a lot of product, and also put flyers on windshields of cars at races. There would be a little coupon you could tear off and you'd send it in the mail and get your three dozen bars for $39.
I was still a student at Berkeley, so on breaks from classes, I’d go to the post office, get the orders in the mail, go back to our apartment and fulfill the orders and put them out on the porch for UPS to come pick them up. And all of a sudden, we'd have 20, 30, 40 boxes a day going out of our little apartment.
After we moved on from being a mail-order business, our main market was bike shops. We went down to the local bike shop, walked in, showed them the product. People were so receptive to our bars that we were able to do our own brokering. We'd have stores calling us to place an order.
Q: By the '90s, things were rocking and you ended up selling PowerBar. And then you had some life events occur, unfortunately. You took a break to take care of the family and play music. What led you to get back into the industry with JAMBAR?
JAMBAR came about as part of a conversation I was having with my daughter around the kitchen table. She said, "Mom, I know you like energy bars, and there's nothing out there that you want to eat for one reason or the other." And I said, "You're right. I'm a food scientist, so why don't I get back into the game and spend some of my knowledge and experience creating something that is great?"
It took me about four years of putting ingredients together to come up with a product I liked. My big thing is I wanted it to be organic, because I believe in preserving our earth and helping people avoid pesticides and eating the best that they can. That limits ingredients a little, because you have to have mass quantities of organic ingredients available.
And then I wanted to use all real food. I didn't want to use ingredients that I didn't know where they came from, that were somehow changed in a lab or created with mechanisms that I didn't really want to put in my body. I wanted ingredients that are close to nature and that taste great.
And, of course, there are a lot of ingredient options that we didn't have in the '80s, whether it's different grains, proteins, fruits, chocolate, and different ways of holding the product together. That’s a plus because one of the most important things I wanted to include in my portfolio of flavors is a lot of variety.
Each of the four JAMBAR flavors—Chocolate Cha Cha, Malt Nut Melody, Jammin’ Jazzleberry and Musical Mango—is very different from the other. Where other products on the market might take a base formulation and just add a little of this, a little of that and call it a new flavor, I didn't want to do that. So it made my formulation job very challenging—working with an array of very different percentages of all of these different ingredients, but keeping each bar similar enough that it's treated the same in the factory.
We have our own state-of-the-art manufacturing facility—which, interestingly, was once a Grateful Dead recording studio—so that gives us the ability to call our own shots. We can do a run of one flavor and then reset for the next run of a different flavor. We can say, “OK, it's Mango Bar Day.” We cut our own mango, and because it’s the second ingredient on the label, we have a lot of mango in there.
Q: What are some of the other major differences you see in the supply chain and business practices as you’ve come back into the industry with JAMBAR?
I think there’s always a lot to learn. I have a lot of experience and I have my own way of doing things, but I have to be able to adapt to a new way of doing things, which is full of technology. We came from an era of no technology to an era of everything's technology. So that's a pretty steep learning curve. Of course, I don't live in a tunnel or a cave, but in terms of really getting the most out of your resources, you have to be very savvy with your technology.
But the caveat to that is we have to be able to keep what makes us human. And that’s the challenge we are having today, in terms of really looking at what we want to accomplish. With JAMBAR, we want to accomplish supporting community, we want to accomplish manufacturing a great product full of real-food ingredients, and we want to accomplish having a type of work environment where people feel they can really make a difference and be a part of.
And the overall arching concept behind remembering what makes us human is communication. Sometimes, when you get a lot of technology involved, effective communication goes out the window. That's what I'm seeing with sales, in distribution and sometimes in marketing and brokering—communication can become very challenging, and you can lose a little bit of the essence of what you want to accomplish each day or each week or each month. That’s why I emphasize communication—it’s paramount to keeping the ball moving forward.
JAMBAR Sponsoring Pro Soccer Team Conrad & Beasley United Vying for $1M Prize at The Soccer Tournament
Organic energy bar brand sponsors Conrad & Beasley United, featuring retired U.S. Men’s National Team players Jimmy Conrad & DaMarcus Beasley, and provides nutrition for all 600 players
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (June 1, 2023) – As part of its ongoing support of athletes, organic energy bar maker JAMBAR is sponsoring one of the 32 teams competing for the $1 million prize in The Soccer Tournament (TST). This first-of-its-kind soccer competition brings together talented players from around the world in a series of 7v7 games that will take place June 1-4, 2023. JAMBAR’s team, Conrad & Beasley United, led by superstar players Jimmy Conrad and DaMarcus Beasley, is poised to be a top contender. Conrad played in MLS for 13 years and had 27 caps with the U.S. Men’s National Team, including a World Cup appearance. Beasley played for 16 years with MLS and the Premier League and had 126 caps with the U.S. Men’s National Team. Beasley is the only American man to play in four World Cups.
Photo: Conrad & Beasley United players training before the tournament begins.
“Anyone who likes soccer will have a blast watching this high-stakes, winner-take-all tournament full of soccer legends and celebrities,” said Conrad. “Our team, Conrad & Beasley United, is psyched to be fueled by JAMBAR.” JAMBAR is also providing energy bars at the tournament’s nutrition center for all 600 TST players for training and games.
JAMBAR organic energy bars are crafted with high-quality protein and fiber and are naturally sweetened for a healthier alternative to traditional energy bars. The great-tasting, highly digestible bars have a texture and nutritional profile that makes them perfect for training and in-game. This inaugural open-application tournament is being held in Cary, North Carolina, and will stream live on Peacock and CNBC on Sunday, June 4, at 5 p.m. ET. Thirty-two teams from eight countries will compete, with 16 advancing to the knockout round, where they will play single elimination games for the $1M grand prize.
About JAMBAR
In late 2021, Jennifer Maxwell founded JAMBAR with the goal of helping people feel good about the ingredients they put in their bodies, and the positive impact they can have on their local communities. Made from only premium organic ingredients, JAMBARs feature ancient grains, authentic sweeteners from nature and high-quality proteins. The company donates 50% of after-tax profits to organizations that support the transformative pursuits of music and sports. JAMBARs are available at JAMBAR.com, on Amazon.com and also at leading grocery stores, including Earth Fare, Good Earth, Jimbo’s, Mollie Stone’s Markets, Nugget Markets, United Markets, Berkeley Bowl, select Safeway stores and more. Learn more at www.jambar.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
About The Soccer Tournament (TST)
Launching in June 2023, The Soccer Tournament (TST) is the newest creation from The Basketball Tournament TBT Enterprises. TST is an open-application, million-dollar, winner-take-all competition. Teams will face off in a 32-team, World Cup model. It will feature a 7v7 format and host teams from all across the world. For more information on TST, visit TheTournament.com.
Media Contacts
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel: 303.807.1042
Debbie Pfeifer, JAMBAR, debbie@jambar.com, tel: 206.669.3580
JAMBAR Poised to JAM Through the Summer by Sponsoring Array of Top Music Festivals and Events
Organic artisan energy bar company JAMBAR donates 50% of profits to organizations that support music and active living
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (May 24, 2023) – As part of its commitment to make the planet a better place through music, the organic artisan energy bar company JAMBAR is partnering with more than 30 live music festivals and events in northern California this summer, including Mill Valley Music Festival, BOTTLEROCK Napa Valley, The Fairfax Festival & Ecofest, Sound Summit and KC Turner Presents Cookout Series at HopMonk.
JAMBAR was launched in 2021 by Jennifer Maxwell, a musician, runner, nutritionist and mom. Jenny was also the co-founder of the original PowerBar. Maxwell’s mission with JAMBAR is to fuel healthy bodies and healthy communities. Not only are JAMBAR’s energy bars made with premium organic ingredients—including ancient grains, natural sweeteners and high-quality proteins—but the company also donates 50% of its profits to organizations that support music and active living.
“Bringing music into more people’s lives has always been a central part of JAMBAR,” said Maxwell, who, in addition to serving as CEO of JAMBAR, is a drummer in two Bay Area bands. “The lineup of talent coming to the Bay Area this summer is incredible, and we’re going to do our best to keep the energy high by fueling festivalgoers and musicians alike.”
JAMBAR hosted a booth offering samples of JAMBARs to hungry Mill Valley festivalgoers. JAMBARs were also placed in musician green rooms, providing performers with clean, organic energy. Festivalgoers who chose to travel by bike received a complimentary JAMBAR at the Marin County Bike Coalition’s parking area.
Following the Mill Valley festival, JAMBAR will journey to Napa Valley for the BOTTLEROCK festival of music, food, wine and brews on May 26-28. Billed as “the first taste of summer,” the festival boasts a powerhouse lineup of more than 70 performers, including the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Post Malone, Lizzo, Duran Duran, Lil Nas X and the Smashing Pumpkins. JAMBARs will be featured in BOTTLEROCK musician green rooms, culinary suites, VIP suites and staff rooms. JAMBAR athlete, Olympic gold medalist skier and music fan Jonny Moseley will be at BOTTLEROCK on Friday, May 26, introducing culinary guests as part of this growing partnership.
On May 29, JAMBAR will kick off the KC Turner Presents 10th Annual Cookout Concert Series at the HopMonk Tavern in Novato, California. This summer concert series features over 25 shows from late May through October. Headliners include crowd favorites Toad the Wet Sprocket, Cracker, Maria Muldaur, Anders Osborne, Bob Schneider, Brett Dennen, Shawn Mullins and G. Love. Every concert attendee will receive a free JAMBAR as they exit each show. Perfect fuel after a long night of dancing! This is the second year for JAMBAR as the headline sponsor.
“KC Turner Presents and HopMonk are thrilled to be teaming up again with JAMBAR. Their support and love of live music make this a win-win sponsorship! We can't wait to Get Our Jam On at this year's Cookout Concert Series!” said founder KC Turner.
On June 10-11, JAMBAR will be an official partner at The Fairfax Festival & Ecofest in Fairfax, California. This funky, eclectic celebration of music and the arts features musicians, a parade, artist and artisan booths, a flea market and a family film night. JAMBAR will welcome festival attendees who ride their bikes with complimentary JAMBARs at the JAMBAR Parking Area with the Marin County Bike Coalition.
JAMBAR will close out the summer concert season with a booth and sampling at Sound Summit 2023 on September 9. This is the second year that JAMBAR will partner with this outdoor concert on Mount Tamalpais, which raises funds for the Mount Tamalpais State Park in Marin County, a popular hiking, running and biking destination. The lineup for this festival includes artists such as Lord Huron, Sierra Ferrell, Kevin Morby, Brokedown in Bakersfield and Vinyl.
About JAMBAR
In late 2021, Jennifer Maxwell founded JAMBAR with the goal of helping people feel good about the ingredients they put in their bodies, and the positive impact they can have on their local communities. Made from only premium organic ingredients, JAMBARs feature ancient grains, authentic sweeteners from nature and high-quality proteins. The company donates 50% of after-tax profits to organizations that support the transformative pursuits of music and sports. JAMBARs are available at JAMBAR.com, on Amazon.com and also at leading grocery stores, including Mollie Stone’s Markets, Earth Fare, Good Earth, Nugget Markets, United Markets, Berkeley Bowl, select Safeway stores and more. Learn more at www.jambar.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Media Contacts
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel: 303.807.1042
Debbie Pfeifer, JAMBAR, debbie@jambar.com, tel: 206.669.3580