WholeMe

WholeMe is a specialty snack food brand founded in 2013 and headquartered in the St. Paul, Minnesota area. The company was co-founded by Mary Kosir and Krista Steinbach, two women who identified a gap in the market for grain-free, whole-food-based snacks that are both nutritious and genuinely delicious. The brand's origin story is rooted in a personal health need — specifically, the desire to find a clean snack option following a Type I Diabetes diagnosis in the founders' family — which gave rise to a product line built on transparency, minimal ingredients, and functional nutrition.

WholeMe specializes in producing nutrient-dense snack foods that are grain-free, gluten-free, and Non-GMO Verified. The company's products are formulated without preservatives, artificial syrups, or refined sugars, instead relying on natural sweeteners such as honey, maple syrup, and vanilla. Fat sources are derived from nuts, seeds, and organic coconut oil, aligning with paleo and whole-food dietary philosophies. The brand targets health-conscious consumers — particularly those following grain-free, paleo, or low-sugar lifestyles — who are seeking convenient snack options that do not compromise on ingredient quality or flavor.

Recipe development is a core competency at WholeMe, led by co-founder Krista Steinbach, a classically trained pastry chef and former bakery owner with deep expertise in flavor formulation and baking. This culinary foundation allows the company to continuously innovate its product lineup while maintaining strict ingredient standards. The brand gained early market validation through a Kickstarter campaign launched in 2014, which raised over $40,000 in just 30 days, demonstrating strong consumer demand for its positioning in the better-for-you snack category.

WholeMe's product philosophy centers on using only a small number of recognizable, pronounceable ingredients — a key differentiator in a snack category often dominated by long ingredient lists and artificial additives. The company formulates its products to support sustained energy and blood sugar stabilization, making them appealing to active, on-the-go consumers as well as those managing specific dietary health concerns. All products are free from many common allergens, broadening their appeal across consumer segments with dietary restrictions.

The brand operates in the competitive better-for-you snack segment and positions itself as a direct alternative to conventional, preservative-laden snack foods. Its target retail channels include natural and specialty food retailers, as well as direct-to-consumer online sales. WholeMe continues to expand its product range with new flavors and formats while staying true to its founding mission of redefining the snack food category through whole, honest ingredients.