23. Ember Snacks

Founders: Jack Mayhew and Harry Mayhew
Founded: 2017
Website: embersnacks.com

While most of the food industry zigs towards plant-based alternatives in response to environmental concerns, Ember Snacks has very much zagged towards creating meat-based snacks that are not only better for your health, but better for the planet.

Founded by brothers Jack and Harry Mayhew, Ember Snacks is on a mission to end factory farming and reduce environmental impact by producing high quality, sustainably-sourced meat products.

It does this by working with farmers who are committed to using high welfare and regenerative practices. For example, its Cracked Black Pepper Steak Slices uses beef from organic, regenerative, grass-fed farms, and its Smoked Paprika Lean Salami is sourced from a farm that puts aside 50% of its land to feed a million bees a year.

Ember Snacks is on a mission to end factory farming and reduce environmental impact by producing high quality, sustainably-sourced meat products.

Its range is also healthier than typical meat snacks: Ember Snacks claims its new charcuterie range has 40% less fat and 50% more protein than rival products.

Ember Snacks is now sold in more than 2,000 outlets across the UK, including Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, and online through Ocado, Amazon, and its own website.

What we admire about Ember Snacks is that, while there’s a big sustainability focus on cutting out meat all together, it recognises that many people still love and want to eat meat, so why not offer them a better, more environmentally-friendly option?

Its Smoked Paprika Lean Salami is sourced from a farm that puts aside 50% of its land to feed a million bees a year.

And, with seven Great Taste Awards, and a medal at the British Charcuterie Awards 2021, meat eaters are clearly agreeing.

It’s great to see Ember Snacks jump from 75th place in the Startups 100 2020 to 23rd this year. We can’t wait to see what it does next.