The Path to Progress Runs Through a RATIONAL oven
There are thousands of amazing food brands in this world that most will never hear of, either because they lack capital resources or adequate access to markets. But one company is working to change that. Based in Edmonton, Alberta, Uproot Food Collective provides a platform for small, independent companies looking to grow their brands. And at the heart of their operations you’ll find a RATIONAL iCombi Pro combi-oven that’s helping make that possible, increasing capacity, improving consistency and lowering the barriers for a lot of small companies who are ready to think big.
Uproot Food Collective provides a marketplace for emerging food brands — and the tools for their success, enabling small entrepreneurs to collaborate, innovate and acquire the capacity to upscale their operations. Through its online store, Uproot markets its three in-house brands and unique selections from more than 75 independent companies, providing direct consumer sales to 85% of Alberta.
Uproot Food Collective
Edmonton, Canada
Goal
Approach
Equipment
When Honest Dumplings, South Island Pies and Natural Delights Kitchen joined forces to create Uproot Food Collective, they built more than a brand, they created a platform for innovative food companies looking to expand.
“The whole idea behind Uproot was how do we build this platform, infrastructure, equipment, talent and services so we can leverage across other brands,“ says Uproot COO Allen Yee. And from their centralized kitchen in Edmonton, Alberta, they now have the resources to do that, thanks to a RATIONAL iCombi Pro 20-full that’s not only boosted their production, but given them the tools to help others do the same.
The bulk of the company’s sales comes through its online store, where they market their three in-house brands as well as a growing selection of unique products from other entrepreneurial brands. In less than a year, they’ve grown rapidly, giving more than 80 small, independent food brands direct access to consumers reaching 85% of Alberta.
The Power of Pie.
The company’s first RATIONAL oven has already transformed the production of one of its signature brands. Created by Uproot co-founder Jamie Scott, South Island Pies introduced Canadians to the delicious meat pies he enjoyed growing up in New Zealand. And the iCombi pro 20-shelf has taken production of the Kiwi cuisine to the next level.
The large RATIONAL oven replaced two less efficient, smaller models from a different company. And it delivered impressive results, allowing the company to produce 65% more pies in 40% percent less time. Not only was it faster, it was also consistent, eliminating the waste created by uneven production.
Before the RATIONAL, South Island Pies used to sell a selection of cast offs in a mystery box, marked at a reduced price. In a way, it provided a fun way for customers to discover new selections. “You didn’t know what you were getting,“ said Scott. “But since we’ve gotten the RATIONAL, we don’t have any seconds to sell. The quality of the pies coming out of the oven is so much more consistent. And it’s consistent every time.“
That consistency is largely driven by the RATIONAL’s iDensityControl. This helpful feature delivers smooth, even air flow, providing consistent results whether you’re baking one pie or 200. And with its iCareSystem, it’s also a breeze to maintain, with a 12-minute self-cleaning cycle that keeps it free of odors and sparkling like brand new.
The Key Ingredient to Growing Great Brands.
Allen says that their success in the midst of a global pandemic proved two things — that there are a lot of great local food companies out there, and more importantly, there are customers who are willing, happy and able to support them — as long as the quality is there.
In today’s crowded market, there are upwards of 60,000 great specialty food companies vying for shelf space in North America. But to be part of the Uproot Collective they have to have more than a great product. They need a great story and a passion to succeed. Once they have that, Uproot can do the rest using tools like the RATIONAL combi oven to help them successfully grow their brand.
One to Grow on.
The biggest obstacle to growth for most small companies is upscaling. When orders explode, it can be difficult for small companies and restaurants to increase production quickly without sacrificing quality. The RATIONAL solves that, providing both the capacity and consistency needed to evolve. No one knows that better than Uproot Collective, who’s been averaging more than 400 new customers each month since the pandemic began.
This past June, Uproot made headlines when it partnered with the Edmonton International Airport to convert a former flight kitchen into a federally-certified food production and contract packaging facility. Uproot is the first tenant of the Ag-celerator at EIA, and co-led the construction of the facility, which will help future generations of small Canadian companies find access to global markets.
Uproot already has plans to expand its operations to Vancouver, Toronto and the rest of Canada, creating mid- to large- sized production facilities along the way. Each of those facilities will be geared to handle different levels of production, providing small companies with a structured plan for growth. And if the past is any indicator, RATIONAL will play a large part in that growth
“The team is happy. Jamie is happy,“ said Allen. “And we’re barely scraping the surface of what the oven can do.“
