An organic fruit juice startup founded by a husband-wife team in Fairfield is seeking crowdfunding in the form of advance orders totaling $60,000 so it can grow.
Planet Fuel Beverage Co. co-founders Amy and Tom Barnouw said they expect new federal health guidelines, released Jan. 7, will increase interest in the company and their crowdfunding effort. The deadline for participating is Feb. 14.
Planet Fuel is reporting a boost in interest this year from the new guidelines that urge consumers to limit intake of added sugars. Planet Fuel features organic fruit juices, which the company said are “exactly the kind of snack drink recommended in the national dietary guidelines for Americans.”
“We started Planet Fuel because we were convinced that there is a need for healthier, organic options in the kids”™ beverage segment,” Amy Barnouw said. “We all occasionally need a refreshing boost but not with products loaded with artificial sweeteners, dyes and preservatives. The nation”™s health leaders are recognizing that nutritious juice is much better than sugary drinks. Choosing products made with organically grown fruits is even better. ”
In addition to funding production and distribution, the company plans to add a third flavor, Mango-Pear-Lime, to its existing lineup and will unveil a new packaging look.
“We”™re asking our loyal consumers and supporters to help fuel our growth by preordering Planet Fuel,” Tom Barnouw said. “In return we”™ve put together some great ways to say thanks!” By visiting PlanetFuel.com, supporters can select from several reward levels.
The promotional campaign will feature the company”™s new brand ambassadors from the television show, “American Ninja Warrior,” including James “The Beast” McGrath, Joe “The Weatherman” Moravsky and Drew Dreschle, billed as “Real Life Ninja.”
The company also partners with the Connecticut Food Bank, which allows supporters to pre-purchase product to donate directly to the food bank”™s kids”™ backpack program to bridge the weekend meal gap for school-age children who struggle with hunger.
“One in five children in Connecticut is food insecure,” Shipman said, thanking Planet Fuel. “We embrace the notion that all of Connecticut”™s school children deserve healthy options and we value the opportunity to work with this mission-driven Connecticut business to ensure that kids have the food and nutrition they need to thrive in school.”
“Already, one in seven calories consumed by youth are from added sugars in products like soda and sports drinks,” said Jane L. Delgado, president and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health. “The impact has been particularly harmful in Hispanic and African-American communities that are the subject of intense marketing by the sugar-sweetened beverage industry.”
