Within the newest episode of our ‘Meals Founders’ podcast sequence, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Jared Spencer of Riddim Snacks, a model making waves on this planet of Caribbean-inspired vegan and free-from snacks. Jared shared the tales behind his revolutionary vary of snacks, his inspirations, and the way he’s created an award-winning model of ‘free from’ snacks with punchy, genuine flavours. His snacks haven’t solely captured style buds however have additionally obtained some extremely revered seals of approval. The key ingredient? Meals that tells a narrative.

Based in 2022, Riddim Snacks attracts its inspiration from the flavours and the tales of the Caribbean. The model advanced from Jared’s ardour and expertise of coaching and dealing within the meals business. On the core of its distinctive enterprise mannequin is genuine Caribbean illustration. Riddim prides itself on being an inclusive model that goals to teach shoppers on the tales behind Caribbean tradition whereas presenting novel ideas and flavours that excite on a regular basis foodies, the West Indian diaspora, and the rising vegan group.

What’s the story behind the award-winning model?

Rising up in Barbados with dietary allergic reactions, Jared’s first reminiscence of meals is maybe each baby’s nightmare – seeing his share of birthday cake changed with an apple cinnamon rice cake at a celebration on account of his allergic reactions. This sense of exclusion ignited his want to create meals with a component of inclusion that would converse to a broader vary of individuals.

“It was that exclusion from meals that made me wish to pursue meals and meals sciences, and that pushed me to launch Riddim, which is dietarily inclusive. I additionally wished it to be one thing that the West Indian diaspora and West Indies again house may be pleased with – to see a product that speaks to them and their tradition and has a component of social inclusion.”

Creating meals that tells a narrative

Jared grew up in Barbados, in what he describes as a strict meals family that homed within the function that meals performs within the trigger, prevention and administration of persistent illness from an early age. At college, he explored this thrilling interaction. Nonetheless, exploring the connection between meals, well being, and persistent illnesses quickly advanced right into a fascination with how meals tells tales and pertains to society.

“Meals is such a robust gateway into a rustic or a area’s tradition and historical past. I wished to discover that and, primarily, how can we inform the tales of the place we come from by way of the meals that we eat. I believe that for those who’re growing merchandise, you may inform the story of no matter you’re making an attempt to say by way of the meals.”

From idea to actuality

Throughout his third yr of examine, Jared was challenged with making a product that put sustainability on the core of its enterprise mannequin. Riddim was established as a car to inform genuine meals tales of the Caribbean. Jared defined that the model was born as a result of he was dissatisfied with how Caribbean tradition is represented within the British business house. He realised that each product he developed was a chance to inform a real story about his house.

The model’s Vegan Scotch Bonnet Cheddar Plantain Chips are impressed by a fusion of British mustard and scotch bonnet chillies that might be unfold on cheese cutters (the Jamaican model of a sandwich). To Jared, it encapsulates the wealthy historical past of Caribbean condiments in a contemporary snack. In the meantime, Riddim’s latest product is a vegan coconut caramel popcorn spiced with hints of cinnamon and ginger, impressed by beachside coconut snowcones and heat Bajan candy bread. Stuffed with thrilling flavours, they’re additionally free from all 14 main allergens.Award-winning model