OGEEZ, BACK IN STOCK

Good Morning, Shredder Cheddar Crew!

OGEEZ is back in stock... and I couldn't be more stoked!

Our original flavor—sharp, creamy, real cheese blend is back and ready to fuel your next run, ride, hike, road trip, adventure, and your little shredder’s lunchbox.

This has been one of those months where it finally feels like the good is outweighing the bad. I'm not going to sugarcoat it—bringing a first-of-its-kind product to market is equal parts exciting, exhausting, rewarding, and humbling. The highs are incredible, and the lows can make you question everything.

That's entrepreneurship.

The past few months have definitely tested me. While Shredder Cheddar never completely disappeared—we still had products on retailer shelves—I found myself without inventory for online sales while searching for a new co-packer.

Back in May, I realized it was time to make a change. I dreaded the search because it had taken me nearly two years to find my previous co-packer. I was preparing for another long road.

Instead, something unexpected happened.

After following a few leads, I posted exactly what I was looking for in a CPG startup Slack community.

One message changed everything.

"I have exactly what you're looking for, and we're located in Mobile, Alabama."

I immediately replied, "I'm in Pensacola... this could be perfect!"

Within a week, I was touring the facility, and shortly after, we were moving forward together.

Last Tuesday was trial-run day.

If you've never watched a food product come to life in production, it's equal parts patience and adrenaline rush. I spent eight hours in the kitchen without sitting down, barely drank any water, and completely forgot to eat. (Not my best nutritional decision!)

Handing your formulation to someone else is nerve-racking. You know your product inside and out, but you're also stepping into someone else's facility with equipment you've never used before. It's a balancing act between trusting your instincts and trusting the expertise around you.

One lesson entrepreneurship keeps teaching me is that vulnerability isn't weakness—it's part of building something great. There were moments I had to ask for help, admit I didn't know the answer, and lean on the incredible people around me. That's exactly what collaboration should look like.

And together...

We nailed it.

The very first trial produced exactly the flavor I'd been chasing. The pouches sealed beautifully. The labels looked fantastic. The product tasted exactly the way Shredder Cheddar is supposed to taste.

That moment was huge.

For perspective, my previous manufacturer needed four months and four separate trials before we reached an acceptable batch.

This time?

One trial.

That's a milestone worth celebrating.

If you've seen me lately, you've probably noticed something.

The passion is back.

I'm smiling again when I talk about Shredder Cheddar because I can finally see the path forward—and it feels better than ever.

One of the unexpected gifts from this new co-packer has been the incredible people they've introduced me to along the way.

They connected me with GulfCoast Packaging, and after searching for the right pouch solution for nearly three years, it finally feels like all the pieces are coming together.

I had a call with the owner of GulfCoast Packaging, and I trusted him from the moment we spoke. You can tell a lot about someone by the way they talk about their company, their family, and their customers. I can tell he genuinely cares about helping businesses succeed, and also believes in Shredder Cheddar. Finding out he has family in Oregon and Washington made for an even better connection.

The best partnerships are built on trust. You want people who not only believe in your product but also have your back when challenges arise. He understood exactly what I was looking for and, within just a few days, found a supplier willing to produce pouches in the quantities I actually need. Most companies require minimum orders of 100,000 pouches, but as a growing business, that isn't realistic. Gulf Coast Packaging found a solution that allows us to order in the thousands instead. This has been one of the biggest roadblocks I've faced since starting Hull-some Foods, and now I am on the other side.  

Lately, people keep telling me, "The universe has a way of putting the right people in your path." I don't know exactly how to explain it, but it certainly feels that way right now. I'm incredibly grateful for every person who has helped move Shredder Cheddar forward.

GulfCoast Packaging even expedited pouch samples so we could test them during our production trial.  We filled the sample pouches with Shredder Cheddar and quickly realized they weren't the right size. Back to the drawing board, and that's exactly why you test.

Not only did we have a successful production trial, we also learned valuable lessons about our packaging. Every step gets us closer to creating the best possible experience for our customers.

The momentum keeps building.

I recently applied for the CoCreate Pitch competition in Los Angeles and was selected to advance to the second round. The application included an extensive questionnaire and a five-minute video pitch. It had been a while since I'd stepped in front of a camera for a pitch, but I was excited to tell the story of Shredder Cheddar.

At its core, Shredder Cheddar is exactly what I was searching for on the trails—a high-protein, savory snack made with real cheese that gives athletes and adventurers a healthy alternative to the sugary products lining store shelves. We're creating an entirely new category of adventure snacking, and being selected in a global competition is an exciting validation that others are seeing the potential too.

As if that wasn't enough excitement for one month, I was also selected for the Built Oregon Level Up Retail Cohort, a 12-week accelerator sponsored by Whole Foods Market, New Seasons Market, Tender Loving Empire, Schwabe Law Firm, and Market of Choice.

Receiving a scholarship from Schwabe and Market of Choice made the opportunity even easier to say yes to. Bootstrapping a business means every investment matters, and I carefully evaluate each opportunity to make sure it fits within the budget. Their support made it possible to participate in a program I've wanted to join since starting Hull-some Foods, and I'm incredibly grateful for their belief in our journey.

I've already started working through the course material, and before the program has officially begun, I'm learning lessons I'll carry with me for years. One of the first webinars focused on reading and negotiating contracts—knowledge that couldn't have come at a better time after everything I've experienced with manufacturing.

Sometimes the right opportunity arrives exactly when you're ready for it.

This month wasn't just about work.

One of my closest friends from Texas came to visit after eight years.. We picked up exactly where we left off, as if no time had passed. In our early twenties, we backpacked through South America together, beginning with Peru before traveling by bus across the continent. She returned home after a month, while I stayed another three months exploring with four new friends I met while standing in a bus line.

Two of those friendships are still going strong today, even though we now live in different countries and across the United States. It's a reminder that some adventures last far beyond the trail.

I'm also lacing up my running shoes again and getting back to training for another 50K. I don't have a race on the calendar just yet, so if you have an October favorite, send it my way!

Life has made it challenging to prioritize long runs lately, but I'm finding my rhythm again—one run, one mile, one step at a time. Every run reminds me why I started, and I can already feel my energy, confidence, and peace returning.

Support and Follow us @hullsomefoods Purchase Merch to show off your Shredder Cheddar Style

It feels so good to be back.

Back on the trails.

Back with a co-packer.

And finally...

Back in stock.

Thank you to every mentor, partner, retailer, friend, family member, and member of the Shredder Cheddar Crew who has believed in this journey. Your encouragement, advice, and support have carried me through every challenge, and I truly wouldn't be here without you.

You can find Shredder Cheddar at WildCat Ultra, local events, Fleet Feet in Mobile, Pensacola, and D'Iberville, Trek Bikes Pensacola, and of course on our website.

https://www.shreddercheddar.com/product-page/ogeez

Know a store that would be a great fit for Shredder Cheddar?

Send them my way.

We're fueled up, back in stock, and ready for the next adventure.

Let's Go!

Meg