The Abbot's Butcher

The Abbot's Butcher operates in the plant-based food sector, focusing on producing premium meat alternatives. The company was founded in 2017 by Kerry Song, who serves as the CEO. Song's journey into the food industry was driven by personal health challenges; after being diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder, she adopted a clean, low-inflammation diet. This experience, coupled with her frustration over the lack of plant-based proteins made from whole-food ingredients, inspired the creation of the company. Her background is in finance and brand strategy, with a degree in Economics from Princeton University and roles at Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, and as a Brand Strategist for Tony Robbins. This diverse experience provided her with a strong analytical foundation and marketing skills to build her own brand.

The company's business model involves both retail and foodservice channels. Initially launched in Southern California farmers markets, the products gained traction and expanded into grocery stores and restaurants. The Abbot's Butcher generates revenue by selling its line of plant-based meats to consumers through retailers like Whole Foods, Sprouts, and Target, and to foodservice partners, which range from local chains like Urbane Cafe to larger partnerships. A pivotal milestone was a Series A funding round in October 2021, led by Melitas Ventures and including investors like Unovis, SOSV, and celebrities Woody Harrelson and Owen Wilson, which aimed to fuel national expansion.

The product portfolio consists of plant-based alternatives for ground beef, chorizo, and chopped chicken. A key differentiator is the commitment to a clean ingredient list. The products are crafted from a base of pea protein and feature whole-food ingredients such as vegetables, herbs, spices, extra virgin olive oil, and vinegars. They are intentionally formulated to be free from soy, gluten, canola oil, gums, methylcellulose, and artificial or natural flavors. This focus on minimal, recognizable ingredients has led to achievements like becoming the first plant-based meat to be Whole30 Approved. The products are designed to replicate the taste and texture of conventional meat, with the ground "beef" using porcini mushrooms to create an earthy, umami flavor.

Keywords: plant-based meat, vegan protein, clean label food, Kerry Song, pea protein, meat alternatives, whole-food ingredients, foodservice supplier, retail food products, non-GMO, soy-free, gluten-free, Whole30 Approved, Melitas Ventures, plant-based chorizo, vegan chicken, plant-based beef, natural ingredients, food-tech, sustainable food