Hillsborough-based Seal the Seasons, which touts itself as the “farmer’s market in your freezer” plans to expand its services to four additional states after landing from Burt’s Bees a $10,000 cash prize and a berth in a startup accelerator.
“This prize will help our business launch new local products in Florida, Georgia, New Jersey and New York,” says CEO Patrick Mateer.
So far, Seal the Seasons is enjoying a fruitful 2017 with $700,000 in funding raised, Mateer tells WRAL TechWire.
Seal the Seasons won the Natural Products Launchpad Prize from Burt’s Bees as well as a berth in the second cohort of startups selected for the accelerator program, which includes mentorship support.
Launched in 2014, Seal the Seasons works to “bring local family farm produce–delicious blueberries, blackberries, strawberries and broccoli–to a frozen aisle near you.” It flash-freezes the produce.
The Burt’s Bees programs seeks to support companies that makes products “inspired by nature and driven by high standards for social and environmental responsibility.”
“This award is recognition of our team’s hard work building an innovative new local frozen supply chain,” Mateer said in the announcement, “We’re so thankful for Burt’s recognition of our social and environmental mission. It is so exciting when a larger business really sees value in your mission and product, that’s validation.”
Seal the Seasons partners with family-farms to freeze the best produce in season and sells these healthy fruits and vegetables to grocery stores every season of the year.
It now works with more than 700 stores, up from three just two years ago.
Customers include Harris Teeter, Whole Foods, Ingles and Sprouts. F
