Portland's embrace of good food and drink has made it an attractive place to launch food product companies. The willingness of local grocers to dedicate shelf space to homegrown sauces, condiments, snacks and specialty drinks is another plus.
Rajiv Harry debuted his line of plant-based sauces in November 2021. Plant Bomb products are made in Portland and are on shelves at Market of Choice, Basics Market and local products retailer Tender Loving Empire. The line will launch soon at New Seasons Markets. Harry hopes to expand nationally within a year.
Harry, a Portland native, spent 10 years working in catering — inspired by his father's passion for food and cooking — before leaving the industry to become a personal trainer and, eventually, a nutrition coach. These days he splits his time between his fitness business, Embrace Change, and Plant Bomb. He's also married with three young children.
Direct-to-consumer sales through the Plant Bomb website complement the growing grocery business. But challenges are a constant. Like the rising cost of, well, just about everything.
"We have seen the cost of things go up, like the cost of shipping raw ingredients ... and the price of glass has gone up over the last six to 12 months," Harry said. "And we often see manufacturers offering price breaks to (product makers) with large quantities, which can be a barrier to entry."
Plant Bomb's Caribbean Peppa, Garlic Tahini and Thai Almond sauces are co-manufactured by Community Co-Pack, which operates out of the The Redd on Salmon in the Central Eastside Industrial District.
"We've done R&D with them, and their team now produces our sauces in large batches," Harry said. "They cook it in their kettles and then they bottle and label it for us."
It cost about $1.09 to manufacture and pack each bottle, said Harry, adding that the services of Community Co-Pack play an important role in the success of the city's food products sector, many of which rely on the small batch manufacturer.
"I spent a couple of years on research and development and I knew I wouldn't be able to make the sauce myself, so having them is extremely vital," Harry said. "And they have lower fixed costs, which allows us to be more nimble and flexible in our business."
Harry is Plant Bomb's only full-time employee, but he has contract employees who help with marketing and design, and financial management. He also works with an Amazon consultant.
Running two businesses and parenting a 10 year old and two kids under age 3, Harry uses every bit of his expertise in fitness, nutrition and mental health to keep his batteries charged.
"I've created a discipline and habit of physical fitness that is true to me, and I feel better when I do it," Harry said. "It also helps having a purpose-filled business. I'm not building this to get rich or building a company to sell. I'm doing this to be impactful and I think that long-game mentality helps get you through the obstacles of building a brand and company."
