FedUp Foods

Sixteen years,137 employees (with an expected 230 employees by 2025), and multiple facilities later, we’ve journeyed far from our humble beginnings. What started as small-batch home production in 2008 has evolved into the largest fermented beverage manufacturer in North America. Each chapter of our growth has been fueled by our determination to defy convention and push the boundaries of what a kombucha brewer and beverage manufacturer can achieve.

Through every challenge and success, one constant remains: our team is the heart and soul of FedUp Foods. They’re the driving force behind our success, creating a workplace where we nurture and develop every member who chooses to call us home. This is how we build a culture that invests in people first.

As Simon Sinek, an award-winning author and business leadership speaker, says, “When people are financially invested, they want a return. When people are emotionally invested, they want to contribute.” We believe it’s both our privilege and obligation to create an environment where our team feels deeply invested. After 15 years of learning, growing, and evolving, we’ve woven into our organizational DNA the programs that foster our team members’ personal and professional growth for as long as they’re with us.

Investing in Training and Education
One of our core values is continuous learning. In that spirit, during 2023 alone, we invested over 1,500 hours into training and continuing education. Our FedUp Foods Academy, which launched last year, focuses on educating, empowering and equipping our team with the tools, training and development they need and want. When our people grow, so does our impact and we’re proud of the 15 graduates we’ve had to-date!

Kaitlyn Cipriani, our Second Shift Packaging and Sanitation Manager, shares, “This is the best job I’ve ever had. It’s the only place where I’ve been supported through education, inside and outside of work.”

Connection Through Town Halls
Our quarterly all-hands Town Halls have been part of our DNA since our founding. They are more than meetings—they’re moments of transparency, shared purpose, and community. What began as casual potlucks in our founder’s homes (when we had less than 20 employees), has since moved to occupy our production floor, holding space for over 130 employees. This time serves as a chance to share a meal together, discuss company milestones, and realign with our values and purpose.

As Mary, a long-time team member, shared in a recent interview, “The moment I walked in the door, I felt at home. They listen to you, they make you feel important. You don’t feel like a number—you feel like a person.” Our Town Halls are just one way we support a culture where our team is seen, heard, and valued – creating a strong sense of belonging.

Inspiring Through Our Speaker Series
Our quarterly Speaker Series brings fresh inspiration to our team. These conversations are like an intimate fireside chat, led by our CEO, David Gray, offering opportunities for our team to learn and grow, providing a connective thread to our community, igniting imagination, and introducing new possibilities and ways of thinking. These events were offered not only to our internal team, but to vital members of our local community as well.

Influential speakers range from Madhu Mujoo, Managing Partner KPMG and named top 50 women in Technology, to Rear Admiral Zeita Merchant, a trailblazing military senior executive in the United States Coast Guard who became the first women of color to be a general.

Rewarding Dedication Through Unique Benefits
Time is our most precious resource, and we honor our team’s dedication with a unique anniversary program. Beyond competitive pay and benefits, we offer extra paid vacation hours (over and above typical PTO accrual) each year, as well as paid sabbaticals after 5, 10, and 15 years of service. It’s our way of saying, “Thank you for being part of this journey with us.” This program reflects our appreciation for our team and underscores our commitment to work-life balance.

Purpose-Driven Manufacturing: A Different Kind of Impact
What truly sets FedUp Foods apart is how we integrate and weave these initiatives into our purpose-driven manufacturing philosophy. We’re not just making products—we’re making a difference. By nurturing our team through education, connection, and meaningful benefits, we create a workplace where people are motivated to do their best work. And when our team thrives, so does our ability to make a positive impact on the world.

“Our vision goes beyond business success to being a force for good in the world. To provide job advancement and opportunities for our team, the local workforce, and contribute to the overall wellbeing of the communities in which we serve.”
Sarah Mullins, Co-Founder & VP of People & Purpose

About the Author

Taye Shobajo