Little Spoon
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Baby food, Subscription service |
| Founded | 2017 |
| Founder | Ben Lewis, Angela Vranich |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Organic baby food, toddler meals (Babyblends, Plates) |
Little Spoon, Inc. operates as a subscription-based direct-to-consumer business, focusing on organic and clean-label nutrition for infants, toddlers, and young children. Established in 2017 and based in New York City, the company distributes its products nationwide throughout the United States. A significant portion of its offerings hold USDA Organic certification and Clean Label Project approval, underscoring the brand’s dedication to delivering safe, high-quality baby food within a competitive market.
History
Founded in 2017 by food industry experts Ben Lewis and Angela Vranich, Little Spoon emerged from their recognition of a gap in the baby food sector. Co-founder Michelle Muller joined the team subsequently. Vranich was responsible for creating the brand identity, initial recipe development, as well as overseeing branding and packaging strategies. Meanwhile, Lewis managed supply chain logistics, operational functions, financing, and overall business expansion.
The company’s initial product launch featured Babyblends, a line of fresh baby foods. As the brand grew, it expanded its portfolio to include Plates—ready-to-eat meals designed for toddlers and older children.
In September 2024, Little Spoon distinguished itself as the first U.S.-based baby food company to implement the rigorous safety regulations established by the European Union (EU). It publicly committed to strict limits on more than 500 toxins and contaminants—including heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury—for its Babyblends range. Each production batch undergoes testing to verify adherence to these elevated safety standards.
Funding
Little Spoon secured $7 million in investment during February 2019, with Vaultier7 leading the round. By December 2020, it raised $22 million in a funding round headed by Valor Equity Partners, supported by Starbucks alongside other consumer packaged goods (CPG) and retail investors. In July 2021, the company announced a $44 million Series B financing round once again led by Valor Equity Partners and joined by Kairos HQ.
Further capital was raised in February 2023 through a round led by Valor Equity Partners and existing backers, elevating Little Spoon’s valuation to roughly $300 million.
Awards and recognition
- Included in Time magazine’s Best Inventions of 2018
- Positioned at #91 on Inc.’s Fastest Growing Companies list for 2022
- Recognized by Fast Company among Brands that Matter in 2022
- Named one of Inc.’s Best Workplaces in 2023
- Earned honorable mention at Fast Company’s Innovation by Design Awards in 2023
- Selected as a finalist for Retail Startup of the Year by Modern Retail in 2024
- Featured in The Lead’s Foremost 50 list for 2024