Seven Sundays

Seven Sundays is a Minneapolis-based food company aiming to transform the breakfast cereal market with nutrient-dense, sustainably sourced products. Founded in 2011 by Hannah and Brady Barnstable, the company was born from an inspiring honeymoon trip to New Zealand, where they discovered muesli. Upon returning, Hannah, then an investment banker with experience in the food sector, identified a gap in the U.S. market for this type of wholesome breakfast option and decided to leave her finance career to launch the business.

The company's journey began at local Minneapolis farmers markets with four muesli recipes. For the initial years, Hannah bootstrapped the business, using a friend's restaurant kitchen after hours. Her husband, Brady, a former environmental consultant, joined the company full-time in 2013 to oversee supply chain, operations, and branding. His background has been instrumental in shaping the company's commitment to sustainability, leading its transition to a Certified B Corporation in 2019, a certification that legally requires balancing profit with social and environmental goals.

Seven Sundays' business model is centered on creating breakfast foods from whole ingredients, positioning itself as a healthier alternative to the highly processed, sugary options that dominate the cereal aisle. The company generates revenue through a multi-channel strategy, selling its products directly to consumers via its website and through major national retailers like Whole Foods, Target, Costco, and Kroger. Since its inception, Seven Sundays has raised $8.97 million over four funding rounds, with the latest being a $6 million Series A in June 2023, intended to support product development and expand its sustainability initiatives.

The product line has expanded from its original muesli to include a variety of gluten-free and grain-free cereals, protein oats, and granola. A key differentiator is the company’s focus on clean labels with short, recognizable ingredient lists, such as cassava, sunflower protein, maple syrup, and coconut oil, avoiding artificial flavors and refined sugars. Seven Sundays is also notable for its use of upcycled ingredients, such as utilizing the sunflower protein that is a byproduct of sunflower oil production. A core component of its mission is a commitment to regenerative agriculture, working directly with Midwest farmers to source crops like oats, buckwheat, and sunflowers. This approach not only ensures high-quality ingredients but also supports a more resilient and transparent supply chain. The company has set a goal to verify regenerative agriculture practices across 100% of its agricultural supply network by 2030.

Keywords: breakfast cereal, muesli, regenerative agriculture, sustainable food, clean label, non-GMO, gluten-free cereal, plant-based, upcycled ingredients, B Corporation, direct-to-consumer food, healthy snacks, natural foods, farm-to-table, food system, sunflower cereal, oat protein, soil health, family-owned business, ethical sourcing, eco-friendly packaging, Midwest agriculture, food innovation, sustainable farming, healthy lifestyle brand