R.e.d.d.

R.E.D.D., an acronym for Radiant Energy Deliciously Delivered, operates in the functional foods market with a focus on plant-based nutrition. The company originated in 2010 when its founder, Alden Blease, was a student at the University of Maine. Facing a tight budget, Blease began creating his own nutrient-dense snacks by purchasing ingredients like coconut, goji berries, and cacao in bulk. This personal project to create affordable, healthy food quickly gained popularity among his friends, who became his first customers.

Sensing a business opportunity, Blease left school to develop the product commercially. After a period as a male model, he returned to Maine and used funds from a car accident settlement to launch a bar line initially called "Rawgasm". The brand was officially launched as R.E.D.D. in June 2014, securing early distribution in Whole Foods in Portland, which led to a regional expansion. The business model centers on the production and sale of these nutritional products through various retail channels, including natural food stores, conventional supermarkets, and direct-to-consumer online sales. A significant milestone occurred in April 2022, when LesserEvil, a snack company focused on functional, better-for-you options, acquired R.E.D.D. This acquisition was intended to leverage LesserEvil's operational expertise and production capabilities to foster growth.

R.E.D.D.'s product line primarily consists of plant-protein based bars. Each bar is formulated to be low in sugar, containing only 3 to 5 grams, while providing 10 grams of protein from a blend of pea, pumpkin seed, and hemp. The bars also contain 10-13 grams of plant fiber, which includes prebiotics and probiotics to support gut health. A key differentiator is the inclusion of functional ingredients like adaptogenic mushrooms, which are intended to help the body manage stress. Initially, the bars contained caffeine, but a 2018 brand overhaul removed it and significantly reduced the sugar content to optimize the nutritional profile. The company has also explored other product formats, such as powdered elixirs, through an online testing platform called REDD Lab.

Keywords: plant-based nutrition, protein bars, functional foods, Alden Blease, LesserEvil, adaptogens, probiotics, low sugar snacks, vegan protein, gut health, superfoods, healthy snacks, meal replacement, on-the-go nutrition, natural ingredients, direct-to-consumer, retail food, food and beverage, wellness products, clean ingredients, sports nutrition