OAKLAND, Calif., Feb. 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Back to the
Roots, the fastest growing organic food & gardening company
innovating the way families are connecting with food,
announces today its $3M series C led
by Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ: CENT), the country's leading
lawn, garden and pet company. Central was joined by new investor
Blue Scorpion Investments, a NYC-based consumer-facing venture
capital fund. Back to the Roots will be using the capital to fuel
its growth as leaders in the indoor gardening market with over a
dozen new products in que to launch in 2019 and thousands of new
retail partners including Walmart, Bed Bath & Beyond,
Bloomingdale's, Petco and Costco.
Today's fundraising and retail expansion comes on the heels of a
banner 2018 for Back to the Roots that included a game-changing
licensing deal with Nature's Path to bring organic cereal to every
school in the US, a partnership with best-selling cookbook author,
Ayesha Curry, and nationwide
launches into 5000 new retail stores.
"Central Garden & Pet is continually looking for innovative
and passionate companies to invest in and help take to the next
level. Back to the Roots embraces the future of both of our
segments," says George Roeth, CEO of
Central Garden & Pet. "We look forward to a great partnership
and helping spread the mission of making organic gardening
accessible to families everywhere."
Along with the infusion of capital, Back to the Roots has
increased its national retail footprint over the past year with a
national launch into Target stores. The brand's best-sellers and
fan favorites Mushroom Grow Kit, Kitchen Herb Garden and Windowsill
Tomato Planter hit Target shelves this February 2019. This new distribution into Target
stores expands Back to the Roots' current national
availability in retailers such as The Home Depot, Lowe's,
Amazon, Whole Foods Market, as well as online at
BacktotheRoots.com.
"Food is so personal, and we're seeing this huge wave of
interest from families wanting to interact and engage with food in
new ways they haven't before – from knowing the story of each
ingredient, to growing it themselves," says Co-founder and Co-CEO,
Alejandro Velez. "We're going to
help setup over 1,000,000 new organic gardens in homes and
classrooms this year and continue to reach kids through
our #GrowOneGiveOne campaign where Back to the Roots
donates grow kits and STEM curriculum to US elementary school
classrooms."
"It's a really exciting time for the company," continues
Co-founder and Co-CEO, Nikhil Arora.
"What started off as a college project has grown into a national
brand that's re-connecting millions of families back to where their
food comes from. Our whole team is incredibly inspired by the
opportunity to help every family and kid experience the magic of
growing their own food. As we look to 2019 and beyond, we're
excited to offer Back to the Roots in even more national retailers
and make organic gardening accessible to all — no backyard or
green thumb needed!"
Back to the Roots Director & Managing Partner at Acre
Venture Partners, Lucas Mann adds,
"this partnership with Central Garden & Pet will only
accelerate Back to the Roots' innovation pipeline as they help
redefine gardening for a new generation. Central has already proven
to be a great partner and can meaningfully strengthen Alex and
Nikhil's vision for the category."
For more information on Back to the Roots, please visit:
www.BacktotheRoots.com.
Facebook: @BacktotheRoots
Instagram: @BacktotheRoots_Official
Twitter: @BacktotheRoots
ABOUT BACK TO THE ROOTS:
Founded in 2009, Back to the
Roots is based in Oakland, CA and
is an organic food & gardening company. The company is on a
mission to "undo food" and reconnect families back to where it
comes from through its award-winning line of ready-to-eat breakfast
cereals and ready-to-grow indoor gardening kits. Back to the Roots
products are distributed in national retailers including The Home
Depot, Target, Lowe's, Whole Foods, and the NYC Public School
System where it helps feed 1.1M kids
per day as the first organic cereal ever offered in US Public
Schools. Its products include the Water Garden, a home aquaponic
ecosystem, Mushroom Grow Kits, and a range of windowsill herb &
veggie planters for schools and homes. For more information, please
visit: www.BacktotheRoots.com
MEDIA CONTACT:
Ashley
Tom
The Rose Group
ashley@therosegrp.com
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SOURCE Back to the Roots