CORE + RIND

CORE + RIND, a women-owned food company, was established in 2016 by co-founders Candi Haas and Rita Childers. Their journey began after reconnecting post-college and discovering a shared passion for culinary nutrition. Haas holds a Culinary Nutrition Expert degree from the Academy of Culinary Nutrition, complementing a background in marketing and management. This shared interest inspired them to create a line of clean-label products. They initially developed 12 items and tested them at a local farmers' market in St. Louis, Missouri, where their dairy-free cheesy sauce quickly became a customer favorite.

The company focuses on producing plant-based, dairy-free cashew cheesy sauces. These products are designed for health-conscious consumers, adhering to paleo, vegan, and keto-friendly standards. The sauces are shelf-stable and made from whole, pronounceable ingredients, positioning them as a clean-label alternative in the market. The product line includes several flavors such as Sharp & Tangy, Bold & Spicy, and Rich & Smoky. Development was a meticulous process, with the final recipes resulting from over a year of experimentation and 150 variations to ensure both flavor and stability without using chemical additives or preservatives.

The business operates in the consumer packaged goods market, specifically within the growing plant-based and specialty foods sector. Revenue is generated through the sale of their sauces via multiple channels. A significant milestone was achieved in 2020 when the company secured placement in 52 Whole Foods stores across the Midwest, and by early 2022, their distribution had expanded to over 1,000 stores in the U.S. and Canada. Despite their growth and distribution success, the company has been marked as "Out of Business" as of June 2025.

Keywords: Core and Rind, cashew cheesy sauce, plant-based foods, dairy-free, vegan sauce, keto-friendly, paleo diet, Candi Haas, Rita Childers, clean label, food startup, St. Louis business, consumer packaged goods, specialty foods, Whole Foods supplier, shelf-stable sauces, culinary nutrition, natural ingredients