Problem
Açaí bowls are expensive and hard to make at home
If you’re like most people, you’ve probably had an açaí bowl from a juice bar and loved it. According to Forbes, in 2017, açaí bowls ranked as the fifth most popular food trend. In fact, açaí is growing at 12.6% CAGR. Açaí bowls remain a popular food item for these reasons: 1) they taste incredible, 2) they’re so beautiful they’re Instagram worthy, and 3) they are extremely healthy!
High quality açaí bowls, however, are cost prohibitive, averaging $15 per bowl. Most people can only have this as a special occasion meal. The only other alternative is to make your own bowls by purchasing a frozen fruit pack at a supermarket, but most people underestimate how difficult it is to make at home
These customer pain points amplify the major market niche that exists for on-the-go, delicious, organic açaí currently underserved by current products on offer.
Solution
Açaí sorbet that can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere
Launched in 2017, Açaí To-Go has redefined the way people eat açaí by proudly selling ready to eat wild harvested organic açaí in recyclable paper tubes that you can enjoy anytime, anywhere.
For a true taste of the Amazon, enjoy Açaí To-Go straight from the tube or squeeze out into a bowl for the easiest juice-bar-quality açaí bowl ever, all organically and locally sourced and produced.
The product is made from wild harvested, organic açaí berries from the Pará state of the Amazon rainforest. Each tube is filled with over 115 açaí berries to create a delicious, hassle-free snack you can feel good about enjoying. This one of a kind blend offers its consumers a delicious combination of vitamins, antioxidants and omegas 3, 6, & 9 in just one serving! The team refined the recipe nearly 50 times until three official blends or flavors were chosen: Original, Banana, and Blueberry.
Product
Açaí To-Go: Standing for sustainability and social impact
We specialize in recyclable packaging and community engagement. Learn more about our latest social engagement project!
Sustainability
Açaí To-Go supports the local economy by purchasing wild harvested açaí straight from the local açaí market in the Amazon, empowering local business, preventing deforestation, and preserving native plants. When it comes to packaging, they specialize in using recyclable paper tubes to reduce the plastic waste around the world. Currently, the team is working on creating 100% compostable packaging as part of their mindful business practices.
Social Impact
"Spreading the purple love" is Açaí To-Go’s term for giving back. The brand focuses on empowering the families of the Amazon by funding projects that break barriers and inspire academic success. In 2019, the team successfully completed their first give back assignment: “The Library Project”. In a projected time period of one year, Açaí To-Go exceeded expectations and built a library in two months, immediately serving 27 communities along the Amazon river, providing children and adults with access to books, periodicals, newspapers, databases, and more.
In the words of the founders, “We believe empowered communities ignite an empowered world! When you support us, we support them.”
Traction
Hitting national distribution and reaching over 1,000 stores
In the past two years, Açaí To-Go has seen considerable growth, launching nationwide and doubling sales each year. We’ve signed retail partnership agreements with some of the biggest names in the grocery industry. Currently, we retail in 1,000+ stores across 20 franchises including, Whole Foods, 7-Eleven, ShopRite, and more.
Today, the brand averages 4.6 units per skew into their account, and we have seen 79% year-over-year same store growth.
In 2021, Açaí To-Go has already landed some major partnerships that will allow us to continue doubling sales. We are in the final stages with major club stores around the country, including H-E-B, which serves the entire state of Texas.
Customers
Consistently rated "5-stars" and "a buy again product"
Açaí To-Go has received tremendous support from their customers, especially their loyal customers who tend to buy more than 1 unit at a time. The brand has seen 5-star reviews on all products across their distribution offerings and many of their clients name Açaí To-Go as a ‘must buy again’ product for their lifestyle. Parents in particular praise the delicious, healthy offerings, and fun packaging for encouraging smart snacking in their children.
Business model
Açaí To-Go is growing at 140% through COVID-19
Açaí To-Go employs a simple and effective omni-channel business model. We sell through both wholesale retailing and our new D2C platform. Currently, sales show Açaí To-Go is at a 140% growth trend through COVID, outpacing growth in the novelties category. Consumers are drawn to the superfruit for its immunity boosting properties and snacking fun, and they've seen demonstrable stickiness through our product promos. In addition to retail success, we’ve launched a new D2C platform, which allows consumers to subscribe or purchase one-time quantities of our products.
Market
$2B+ market opportunity
Since 2019, products that contain açaí have grown at 150.9%. The açaí berry market is growing at a CAGR of 12.6%. Consumer consciousness and demand for this superfood has risen in recent years, driving market growth and product penetration. Açaí To-Go enjoys an unprecedented market opportunity due to our fresh take on the superfood. We project a TAM of $2B by 2025.
Competition
Newcomer product to fresh market
Açaí To-Go is poised to dominate the snack açaí market. Conventionally, açaí is served in bowl form. Our line of products enjoys a competitive advantage due to our convenient packaging. Our closest competitor is Dole, which launched an açaí product similar to ours at the same time. Four months later, Açaí To-Go had eaten their entire space and dominated sales.
Vision and strategy
Expanding not only business, but also how we give back
Açaí To-Go has immediate plans for phenomenal growth. We want to continue expanding to all 50 states and then target an international product launch. Equally important, however, is giving back to communities in an empowering and sustainable way. Our product is tied to the health of the Amazon Rainforest and its communities, and we plan not only to expand our business ventures, but also to support philanthropic efforts as well.
Funding
Raising funds to complete commitments to new retail partnerships
Açaí To-Go is currently raising money to support our retail expansion. We have commitments to launch with six major food distributors, such as Costco, Safeway and Kroger. Funds will go towards new item fees, inventory build up and investing in our ecommerce membership program.
Founders
A seasoned team
Açaí To-Go was founded in 2017 by Rodrigo Lima and Jayson Fittipaldi, two Brazilian friends with a passion for healthy living, surfing, and açaí.
Rodrigo owns his own food distribution company called, Crown Group, focusing on importing premium fruit from Brazil to the US. Jayson is a seasoned marketing professional, having co-founded Nobox, a digital agency with clients like Netflix, Reebok and Gatorade, over 18 years ago.
Countless morning surf sessions passed until they began discussing the transparent gap in the market for authentic, non-diluted, açaí in the US. Motivated by their complimentary backgrounds and inspired by their newfound mission to create something new, Rodrigo and Jayson joined heads to create high-quality açaí that you can enjoy anytime, anywhere! Açaí To-Go was born.
Today, Açaí To-Go's mission is to continue empowering the local community in the Amazon through their sustainable and innovative business practices and give back program. In recent months, the "familia" has grown, attracting açaí lovers to join the team and help spread the purple (açaí) love around the nation. The team is stoked to share this journey with you!