Vote for Shredder Cheddar 🧀

Meg Hull
Feb 4
3 min read

Updated: Feb 8

Earlier this month, I had a VMS meeting with my mentors and they challenged me with a simple question:

How are people actually enjoying Shredder Cheddar?

At first, I tried the old-school route — a survey with purchases. Too much work. Not many responses. Then I emailed customers from the past year. Still crickets.

So I did what makes the most sense in 2026… I made it a quick social media poll.

Do you eat Shredder Cheddar straight from the pouch, or with other food?

And honestly? The votes are split right down the middle.

Some of you tear it open and snack straight from the pouch while exercising, hiking, skiing, camping, boating, or relaxing at the beach. Others pair it with crackers, apples, celery, beef sticks, or soft pretzels for an easy, savory snack on the go.

If you haven’t voted yet — go cast your vote! I want to hear from everyone who has snacked on Shredder Cheddar OGEEZ.

This month has been all about setting Shredder Cheddar up for success: events, website updates, new packaging research, and preparing for retail launch.

And here’s a fun milestone…

It has been exactly one year since I launched Shredder Cheddar at the Double Bridge Run on Pensacola Beach with Fleet Feet. Fleet Feet has been by my side ever since, and now we are so close to launching in their stores.

Within the next month, you’ll find Shredder Cheddar at:

Fleet Feet Pensacola
Fleet Feet Mobile
Fleet Feet Biloxi

I’ll be at the Double Bridge Run after-party with Fleet Feet at Sandshaker on Pensacola Beach on February 7, 2026, sampling and selling Shredder Cheddar with some fun giveaways to celebrate the one-year launch anniversary.

Join us Saturday from 8am–12pm at Sandshaker!

Not only have I been building relationships with retail stores, I’ve been building within our community — and these events are too good not to share.

Run Roast & Refresh started six months ago at Bodacious Brew with just 3 vendors and 20 runners. Fast forward to today, and it’s grown into a monthly event with 25+ vendors, giveaways, a 5K run/walk, and a whole lot of wellness and fun. You can find this event every month at Portside Pickle in Pensacola, and I’m proud to partner with them.

I also partnered with the Light Up the Night Glow Run 5K, which raises funds to fight human trafficking.

And you can usually find me on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Fleet Feet Pensacola Run Clubs.

These events aren’t just about educating people on Shredder Cheddar or making sales. They’re about showing up, building relationships, and being part of something bigger in our community.

Last month, I got my co-manufacturing bill and noticed a charge that was higher than expected. After looking into it, we realized a more expensive version of an ingredient had been ordered.

No one’s fault but mine.

I needed to slow down and make sure every box was checked.

This mistake was costly in a small production batch — but it would have been outrageous in a larger one. It was a powerful reminder of why these smaller trial runs are so important before scaling up. Working out the kinks now saves you from very expensive lessons later.

I feel incredibly fortunate to have Oregon State University’s Food Innovation team on my side. I lean heavily on Melanie Hanlon, and Bryan Gaspich has also been instrumental in helping commercialize Shredder Cheddar.

Looking back over the past three years, I’m amazed at how this all unfolded. A phone call to OSU’s agriculture department connected me with Sarah Masoni, who told me, “Your product has merit.”

Those words lit a fire in me to never give up.

I’ve now been working with a co-manufacturer for eight months, recently completed a successful scale-up, and the most rewarding part is seeing customers come back for more. It makes me incredibly grateful for every partnership along the way.

I’m so excited to expand Shredder Cheddar into the retail market.