Oatmeal had always been a staple in the Bartelson household. Tony, Patricia and their two boys loved creating new flavors to take camping, hiking or wherever their next adventure led them. When their youngest son developed severe food allergies, oatmeal was Patricia’s go to when traveling because restaurants were unable to accommodate his needs. Knowing there had to be others with similar dietary restrictions, the Bartelson’s launched Straw Propeller Gourmet Foods in 2011. Today, Straw Propeller offers a variety of flavors and has nut-free, gluten-free and vegan options.

With demand for its products in all 50 states, Canada and Guam, Straw Propeller needed to automate its packing line. Despite the company’s success, it was still considered a start-up and could not secure bank financing. Then Patricia heard about Craft3.

Craft3 provided Straw Propeller with a business loan to purchase manufacturing equipment and refinance existing debt. Our investment in Straw Propeller Gourmet Foods strengthens economic and family resilience by increasing entrepreneurship, supporting economic opportunity and investing in critical industries.

Straw Propeller Gourmet Foods,  a minority- women-owned manufacturing business, is located in a high poverty area and created 14 full-time jobs.

This loan was made possible through Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses. To learn more about Straw Propeller Gourmet Foods, visit www.strawpropellergourmetfoods.com.