Today we’d like to introduce you to Therese Moore.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My European upbringing and love of cooking inspired a discovery of steel-cut oats as all-day meals. I experimented with various recipes dedicated to gluten-free friends at a dinner party, substituting steel-cut oats for a pasta recipe (which then became the Orso Toscano flavor). Encouraged by an enthusiastic acknowledgment and responding to their challenge, I brought 4 recipes to a winter farmers market in 2016, serving them hot out of a big red kettle and expanded to additional farmers markets in 2017. The positive reaction led to my winning the local Maker to Market program which led to my acceptance into local Co-ops in the Twin Cities in 2018. Since I’ve added more flavors and continue to iterate with feedback from farmers markets and retail, now available at local supermarket chains, like Lunds and Byerlys.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As an entrepreneur of a fledgling food business, the road is rough and full of potholes. Committed to honoring our mission offering an organic, locally sourced, environmentally sustainable product to serve our local community at a reasonable price in the marketplace is an obvious struggle. We continue to work on lowering our costs in order to reflect our efforts for the consumer. Along with other local makers, we’d like to challenge local retailers to further support the needs of the smaller Minnesota made manufacturers.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I graduated as an art/art history major and think of myself as a creative person. I began my career, however, as a magazine advertising salesperson in New York. What I loved most about sales was connecting with potential clients and the ability to share the advantages (from our perspective) our product offered. Selected as part of the launch team for Hearst’s newest publishing venture, I was energized by the challenge of introducing a new product into the market and enjoyed the competition! After 10 years, my husband’s career offered a great opportunity in Minneapolis.
Once settled, I began a new career as a middle school French teacher which I pursued lovingly for 12 years. Inspired by my students’ curiosity and my ability to inspire them, I have always been grateful for their engagement and the “magic” of teaching! Surprisingly, both careers have served me well for this next chapter. The power of clear communication and willingness to take positive risks were part of my sales training. Currently, I also welcome the opportunity to “teach” consumers about the overwhelming health benefits of steel-cut oats and potentially a new way, as a savory all-day meal, to eat them. Such skills are advantageous in bringing a unique product into an already choice-crowded environment.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I appreciate the tremendous support I have already received from places like The Good Acre, the commercial kitchen where I’ve been producing 3 Bear Oats since 2018 and the various local farmers markets in particular, The Mill City Farmers Market where I’ve been showcased since 2017. Lakewinds Co-op will always hold a special place in my heart as the first retailer to take a chance on us. I received continued agency from other co-ops like The Wedge and Linden Hills. We’re now also available at Lunds & Byerlys and Jerry’s Foods.
In addition, I appreciate organizations like yours for covering companies like mine in order to promote them. I would, however, challenge the majority of grocers to do the same and encourage more customers to buy locally and commit to educating the consumer on the “real” cost of good food while supporting the small producer with long term commitments on the shelf and more reasonable financial contracts to support the small producer.
Pricing:
- Store pricing varies from $5.49-$6.99 in the freezer case with $1.00 off promotions
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://3bearoats.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/3bearoats/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/3bearoats
Image Credits
Dani Loomis
The Good Acre
Libby Kapsner
