Photo by Joe LananeProduction halted to open new facility
An accidental business has become so popular that the company, called Food For Lovers, halted production late last year to develop its own manufacturing facility in East Austin.
The health-conscious, all-natural vegan queso and salsa producer will open a new certified allergen-free and organic 3,300-square-foot facility in May, said President Crystal Tate, who co-founded the business along with her husband, Chris. In the meantime, she said, several retailers—including Whole Foods Market, H-E-B and other national and international grocers—have experienced a noticeable shortage of Food For Lovers' core products.
"We're out all over the place, but retailers are willing to wait until May when we open our facility," Tate said. "They're not filling our shelf space or giving it away."
Tate started as a food blogger selling her recipes to cafes late last decade. An executive from Whole Foods got a taste, "loved it, and said, 'You should jar this,'" Tate said.
After outgrowing a co-packer service in Round Rock, the couple quickly found its own permanent space. The new facility will continue creating organic quesos and salsas, but Tate also expects Food For Lovers to increase its food-processing operation.
"We're really making our dreams come true, and we have a fire under us to get back to work," she said.
8107 Springdale Road, Ste. 108, 512-909-6157, www.foodforlovers.com
