559 Matt McLean: Founder of Uncle Matt’s Organic

Innovation

Matt McLean, founder of Uncle Matt's Organic, highlights the company's commitment to innovation by introducing new products like organic tea and lemonade. He emphasizes the importance of listening to consumer demands and ensuring high-quality offerings, such as their new organic premium refrigerated brewed teas, which are lightly sweetened and boast a bold flavor profile 1. Matt's wife, who chairs the innovation team, plays a crucial role in the brand's creative process, designing labels and contributing to product development. Reflecting on the organic industry's growth, Matt recalls the early days when organic certification was less common, and how the USDA organic seal has since become a significant part of their business 2.

   

Distribution

Scaling distribution for Uncle Matt's Organic posed significant challenges, particularly with maintaining a cold chain for their perishable products. Matt McLean shares the journey of achieving glyphosate residue-free certification, an extra step to assure consumers of their product's purity 3. Initially relying on co-packers, Matt eventually established their own facility, which allowed for greater control over production and distribution 4. The transition to organic farming in Florida was a pioneering effort, requiring innovative solutions to supply chain issues and the development of a network of organic growers 5.