User:Thefarmersdog/sandbox

The Farmer’s Dog is a is a subscription-based pet health brand backed by Shasta Ventures with headquarters in Brooklyn, New York. Established in 2014 and launched in 2015 by Brett Podolsky and Jonathan Regev,   The Farmer's Dog aims to “make dogs happier and healthier” by providing them with pre-portioned, fresh, human-grade food, right to their doorstep.

History
The company first started when Brett’s Rottweiler, Jada, began suffering from stomach issues as a result of store-bought kibble, prompting him to begin home-cooking for her in his East Village apartment. After seeing a greater need from other concerned pet-owners in New York, Brett and Jonathan began cooking and delivering fresh meals locally, “looking to raise the bar for the unregulated pet-food industry that’s been freely using additives, preservatives, and artificial flavors.”

In 2016, the company raised $2M in Seed Funding, with participation from Forerunner Ventures, Collaborative Fund, and SV Angel, which led to the company's nationwide expansion and a move into a large, commercial kitchen.

In May of 2017, Brett and Jonathan raised $8.1 million in Series A funding in a round led by Shasta Ventures, that again included Forerunner Ventures, Collaborative Fund, and SV Angel.

Since its official launch in 2015, the company has delivered more than 3 million meals nationwide, and services all states apart from Hawaii and Alaska. In that time, the Farmer's Dog has also been involved in a number of charitable causes, such as mobilizing and feeding displaced dogs from Hurricane Harvey.

Product
The company currently offers three recipes: pork, beef, and turkey, all of which consist of “USDA and FDA-inspected ingredients that are prepared in facilities with safety standards usually reserved for human food.” The fresh, veterinarian-designed food is then pre-portioned and delivered in personalized and ready-to-serve meals within days of preparation. The meals also include a variety of vitamin-rich vegetables and necessary, AAFCO-approved supplements.

Technology
The Farmer's Dog leverages smart technology and proprietary algorithms to create customized meal plans based on a dog’s individual profile including age, breed, size, activity level, and sensitivities.

Delivery
By shipping directly to their customers via subscription, The Farmer’s Dog circumvents retail stores and makes their food fresh, reducing their costs for superior ingredients and offering their customers a higher food quality at an affordable price point, with meal plans starting at $11.00 per week.