ButcherBox - Premium Grass-Fed Beef, Organic Chicken & Sustainable Seafood Delivery

Founded: 2015
Founder: Mike Salguero
Headquarters: 20 Guest St Ste 300, Brighton, Massachusetts, 02135, USA
Phone: 855-981-8568
Number of employees: 500
Website: www.butcherbox.com

Overview

ButcherBox is a subscription-based meat delivery service founded in 2015 by Mike Salguero. The company is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, and is committed to providing high-quality, humanely raised meat to its customers across the United States. ButcherBox offers a variety of meat products, including grass-fed beef, heritage breed pork, free-range organic chicken, and wild-caught seafood. Through its partnerships with family farms and fishing companies, the company is able to source its products sustainably and ethically.

Company History

ButcherBox was established by Mike Salguero, who was inspired by his own experience in purchasing grass-fed beef from a local farmer. Realizing that access to high-quality, ethically sourced meat was limited for many consumers, Salguero sought to make these products more accessible through a subscription-based delivery service. ButcherBox launched on Kickstarter in September 2015, raising over $200,000 from more than 1,000 backers.

Since its inception, ButcherBox has experienced rapid growth, with a reported 150% year-over-year growth rate in 2019. The company has expanded its product offerings over the years, introducing new cuts of meat, as well as wild-caught seafood. ButcherBox has also made a commitment to environmentally friendly practices, using recyclable packaging and eco-friendly insulation for its shipments.

Product Offerings

ButcherBox offers a diverse range of high-quality meat products to its subscribers. The company’s core offerings include:

A. Grass-fed and grass-finished beef:
Sourced from cattle that are raised on pasture and never given antibiotics or hormones, ButcherBox’s beef is both high in quality and ethically raised. The company offers a variety of cuts, including steaks, ground beef, and roasts.

Grass-fed and grass-finished beef, as offered by ButcherBox, has several health advantages compared to conventionally raised beef. Some benefits include:

1. Higher Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Grass-fed beef typically contains higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids than grain-fed beef. Omega-3s are essential fatty acids that play a crucial role in supporting brain function, reducing inflammation, and promoting heart health.

2. Higher Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) content: Grass-fed beef is a good source of CLA, a naturally occurring fatty acid that has been linked to various health benefits, such as reducing body fat, improving muscle mass, and potentially offering anti-cancer properties.

3. More Antioxidants and Vitamins: Grass-fed beef contains higher levels of antioxidants such as vitamin E and beta-carotene, which help protect the body against oxidative stress and promote overall health.

B. Heritage breed pork:
ButcherBox partners with farmers who raise heritage breed pigs, which are known for their superior taste and marbling. These pigs are raised without the use of antibiotics or growth hormones and are provided with a diet that is free of animal byproducts.

Benefits of consuming heritage breed pork include:

1. Better Flavor and Texture: Heritage breed pigs are known for their more marbled meat, which results in a richer flavor and tender texture.

2. Sustainability: Heritage breeds are often raised using more sustainable and humane practices, promoting a healthier ecosystem and improved animal welfare.

C. Free-range organic chicken:
The company’s chicken is sourced from farms that follow strict organic practices and raise their birds in a free-range environment. ButcherBox’s chicken is certified organic and non-GMO.

Some potential health benefits include:

1. Lower Risk of Antibiotic Resistance: Consuming antibiotic-free chicken reduces the risk of ingesting antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can lead to potential health issues in humans.

2. Higher Nutrient Content: Free-range chickens often have a more diverse diet, leading to higher levels of certain nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and some vitamins compared to conventionally raised chickens.

D.Wild-caught seafood:
ButcherBox offers a selection of sustainably caught seafood, including wild Alaskan sockeye salmon, wild-caught cod, and wild-caught scallops. The company is committed to sourcing its seafood from fisheries that use sustainable practices and adhere to strict quality standards.

Health benefits compared to some farm-raised alternatives. These benefits include:

1. Higher Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Wild-caught fish, such as Alaskan sockeye salmon, typically have higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids compared to their farm-raised counterparts.

2. Lower Contaminants: Wild-caught fish generally have lower levels of contaminants like pesticides and antibiotics compared to some farm-raised fish.

Funding Rounds

ButcherBox has raised a total of $40 million in funding across three rounds:

Series A: In November 2018, ButcherBox raised $20 million in a Series A funding round led by BoxGroup, with participation from FJ Labs, Endeavor, and others. The company used the funds to expand its product offerings and improve its supply chain.

Series B: In October 2020, ButcherBox secured $10 million in Series B funding. The round was led by Act One Ventures, with participation from BoxGroup, FJ Labs, and others.

Series C: In June 2022, ButcherBox raised an additional $10 million in a Series C funding round. The details of the investors in this round have not been disclosed.

Partnerships

ButcherBox has formed numerous partnerships over the years, primarily with family farms and fisheries that share the company’s commitment to high-quality, ethically sourced meat products. The company works closely with these partners to ensure that their animals are raised humanely and in accordance with strict standards for environmental stewardship. Some notable partnerships include:

Joyce Farms: This family-owned farm located in North Carolina raises heritage breed pork and poultry using regenerative agriculture practices. ButcherBox sources its heritage breed pork and some of its free-range organic chicken from Joyce Farms.

Sitka Salmon Shares: A community-supported fishery based in Alaska, Sitka Salmon Shares is committed to sustainable fishing practices and provides wild-caught seafood to ButcherBox subscribers. The partnership enables ButcherBox to offer wild Alaskan sockeye salmon, cod, and other seafood options.

White Oak Pastures: A sixth-generation family farm in Georgia, White Oak Pastures raises grass-fed beef using holistic land management practices. The farm is known for its commitment to environmental stewardship and animal welfare, making it an ideal partner for ButcherBox.

Awards and Recognitions

ButcherBox has received several awards and recognitions for its commitment to quality, sustainability, and innovation:

Inc. 5000 List: In 2019 and 2020, ButcherBox was recognized on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States. The company ranked #332 in 2019 and #1155 in 2020, highlighting its impressive growth trajectory.

Good Food Awards: In 2020, ButcherBox received a Good Food Award for its commitment to sustainable and ethical sourcing practices. The Good Food Awards are presented annually to companies that demonstrate a dedication to social and environmental responsibility in their business practices.

The Spoon Food Tech 25: In 2021, ButcherBox was included in The Spoon’s Food Tech 25, a list of the most innovative food tech companies shaping the future of food. The list recognizes companies that are using technology to address pressing issues in the food industry, such as sustainability, food waste, and access to healthy food options.

Green Business Certification: ButcherBox is a Certified Green Business, a recognition awarded by the Green Business Network to companies that demonstrate a commitment to environmentally friendly practices. The certification acknowledges ButcherBox’s efforts to minimize its environmental impact through sustainable sourcing, eco-friendly packaging, and efficient shipping methods.

Overall, ButcherBox has established itself as a leader in the subscription-based meat delivery industry, providing high-quality, ethically sourced meat products to its customers. The company’s commitment to sustainability, animal welfare, and environmentally friendly practices has earned it recognition and partnerships with like-minded organizations. Through its continued growth and innovation, ButcherBox aims to make access to ethically sourced and delicious meat more convenient for consumers across the United States.

Disclaimer: Please note that the names and positions of employees mentioned may be subject to change, as individuals may move to different roles or organizations. While we make every effort to keep our information accurate and up-to-date, we cannot guarantee that all employee details are current or complete. We encourage you to verify the identity and positions of any individual mentioned and check their Linkedin Profile before taking any action based on their role.