Jay-Z-backed events curator acquires clean snacks supplier
California-based NatureBox supplies clean label and better-for-you snacks delivered directly to homes and offices.
The company recently raised close to $60m in funding – from Jay-Z’s Marcy Venture Partners, and celeb chefs Tom Colicchio and Ming Tsai, among others – which it used to boost its popular SnackPass model, which allows office workers to customise their snacks.
The company specialises in curating a portfolio of private-label snacks that are vastly more healthy and cleaner than the typical vending machine boodle, in the process garnering a customer base of over 3.5 million consumers and thousands of corporate clients.
Hungry for more
This is Hungry’s third major acquisition in as many years, including LocalStove and Ripe Catering. The NatureBox bolt-on will position the rapidly expanding events organiser at the forefront of America’s corporate food-tech industry and increases its national reach with a more diverse suite of better-for-you options.
Founded in 2017 by Eman Pahlavani, Shy Pahlevani, and Jeff Grass as a revolutionary platform for the $60bn events catering market, Washington DC-headquartered Hungry saw exceptional growth during the pandemic, earning a spot on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 and the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private US companies.
Through its partnerships, it has donated more than half a million meals to people in need and promotes environmental waste reduction through its Food Solutions programmes. It has also been honoured as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies and one of the Best Workplaces for Innovators.
“Adding NatureBox to the Hungry platform enables us to provide our clients with exclusive access to NatureBox-branded snacks,” said cofounder and CEO Jeff Grass.
“NatureBox’s healthy snacks will be an outstanding complement to Hungry’s business-catering solutions, creating a game-changing combination of exceptional quality and service. Companies right now are looking for one partner to handle all of their in-office food, snacking, and beverage needs, and now more than ever, Hungry is that complete partner for them.”
Added NatureBox CEO John Occhipinti, “We’re proud to join forces with Hungry and we’re excited that now even more people will be able to enjoy our amazing, healthy snacks all over the country.
“We’re grateful to Jeff and the whole team for believing in what we’ve built and taking it to the next level.”
