What Kite Hill does

Kite Hill is a privately held, plant-based dairy alternatives manufacturer founded in 2008 and headquartered in Hayward, California. The company produces almond milk-based cheeses, cream cheeses (including a 2024 Protein Cream Cheese Alternative with 4g protein per serving), Greek and original-style yogurts, sour cream alternatives, ricotta, dips (queso, French onion, spinach and artichoke, tzatziki), and filled pastas (tortellini and ravioli). Core product technology rests on proprietary cultures and enzymes isolated by co-founder Pat Brown and grown on a vegetable-based medium, enabling dairy-like texture and taste using California-sourced almonds from the San Joaquin Valley.

The company sells exclusively through retail grocery and foodservice channels, with primary retail partners including Whole Foods Market (the founding distribution partner since 2014), Kroger, Sprouts Farmers Market, Publix, Target, and Wegmans. Online availability is provided through Amazon and Instacart, and foodservice distribution operates via Sysco Marketplace with fulfillment by Dot Foods. Marketing is executed through owned channels (Instagram, recipe blog, email newsletter) and influencer/creator collaborations, supported by industry recognition including VegNews 2018 Best Yogurt and NOSH 2021 Best New Product.

Kite Hill has raised approximately $75.45M across disclosed rounds in 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2019 from investors including 301 (lead), CAVU Consumer Partners, General Mills, and New Crop Capital. The company holds Whole30 Approved status for its cream cheese and ricotta SKUs, Non-GMO Project Verification across its portfolio, and Kosher certification (via Kof-K) for products excluding pasta. Leadership comprises founders Tal Ronnen, Monte Casino, and Pat Brown alongside CEO and Board Chair Rob Leibowitz, CMO Shannon Toyos, and CFO Susan McDonald.

Name

Kite Hill

Legal name

Kite Hill

Website

https://kite-hill.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kite Hill is a privately held, Hayward, California-based manufacturer of plant-based dairy alternatives—including cream cheeses, yogurts, ricotta, dips, and filled pastas—made from almond milk using proprietary cultures. Founded in 2008, the company sells through major U.S. grocery chains, foodservice distributors, and online platforms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Plant-Based Dairy Alternatives

NAICS

Dairy Product Manufacturing (3115), Dairy Product (except Frozen) Manufacturing (31151)

SIC

Dairy Products (2020), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Dairy Alternatives (Plant-Based Milk, Yogurt, Creamers) (CRADACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Refrigerated Dips & Spreads (Cream Cheese, Hummus, Salsa, Guacamole) (CRADACAG), Plant-Based Milk & Creamer Processing (Oat, Soy, Almond, Coconut, Blends) (AFAHAJAA)

Keywords

• Plant-based dairy alternatives
• Almond milk products
• Dairy-free yogurts
• Vegan cream cheese
• Plant-based ricotta

Headquarters

HQ city

Hayward

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Dairy-free food products: Kite Hill generates revenue through the sale of plant-based dairy alternative products including yogurt, cream cheese, ricotta, sour cream, dips, and pasta. Products are sold through retail grocery stores and foodservice distribution channels.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Kite Hill manufactures and sells plant-based dairy alternative products made primarily from California-grown almond milk using proprietary cultures and enzymes. Its product portfolio includes cream cheese alternatives, original and Greek-style yogurts, sour cream alternatives, ricotta and whipped ricotta, queso and vegetable dips, dairy-free pasta sauces, and filled pastas. Products are sold through major grocery retailers and foodservice distributors across the United States.

Product overview

Kite Hill is a dairy-free food company offering a comprehensive portfolio of plant-based alternatives to dairy products. The company manufactures almond milk-based yogurts (Original and Greek-style), cream cheese alternatives (plain and flavored varieties), sour cream alternatives, ricotta alternatives (regular and whipped), dips (queso, French onion, spinach and artichoke, tzatziki), and filled pastas (tortellini and ravioli varieties with ricotta filling). The products are made primarily from California-grown almonds and use traditional cheesemaking techniques including culturing and enzymes. Kite Hill holds Whole30 Approved status for select products and Non-GMO Project Verified certification. The company was founded in 2008 by Tal Ronnen, Monte Casino, and Pat Brown and is headquartered in Hayward, California.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cream Cheese Alternatives Non-dairy cream cheese alternatives made from almond milk using proprietary cultures, available in Plain, Chive, Everything, Garden Veggie, and Protein varieties. The Protein variant delivers 4g of protein per serving, double the protein of leading dairy cream cheese, and is made from almond milk and soy protein. Whole30 Approved.
• Almond Milk Yogurts Award-winning almond milk yogurt line made from California-grown almonds with live active cultures, available in Plain, Vanilla, Blueberry, and Strawberry flavors. Non-GMO Project Verified, Kosher certified, dairy-free, and soy-free.
• Greek-Style Almond Milk Yogurts Thick and tangy Greek-style plant-based yogurt with up to 17g of protein and 0g of sugar per serving, made with almond milk and soy protein isolate and containing live active cultures. Available in Plain Unsweetened, Vanilla Unsweetened, Strawberry, Mango, and Mixed Berry varieties.
• Sour Cream Alternative Almond milk sour cream alternative made with coconut oil and chickpea protein, designed for use on tacos, baked potatoes, and in baked goods.
• Almond Milk Ricotta Alternatives Silky and whipped varieties of dairy-free ricotta made from almond milk, versatile for savory dishes like lasagna and as a mascarpone substitute in desserts. Includes Almond Milk Ricotta Alternative and Almond Milk Whipped Ricotta Alternative.
• Plant-Based Dips Plant-based dips made with creamy almond milk, available in Queso (almond milk, ripe tomatoes, bell pepper, and jalapeño), French Onion (Whole30 Approved), Spinach and Artichoke, and Tzatziki (Whole30 Approved).
• Dairy-Free Vodka Sauce Creamy almond milk pasta sauce blended with ripe tomatoes and a splash of vodka, finished with Calabrian pepper flakes. Available at Whole Foods nationwide.
• Plant-Based Filled Pasta Plant-based tortellini and ravioli filled with award-winning almond milk ricotta alternative, including Tortellini, Spinach Tortellini, Butternut Squash Ravioli, Spinach Ravioli, and Mushroom Ravioli (filled with almond milk ricotta and Shiitake and Portabella mushrooms).
• Protein Cream Cheese Alternative High-protein plant-based cream cheese alternative delivering 4g of protein per 2 tbsp serving, double the protein of the leading dairy cream cheese. Made from almond milk and soy protein and fermented using traditional dairy-style processes.

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Whole30coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKite Hill is the exclusive Whole30 Approved Cream Cheese and Ricotta Partner. This partnership allows Kite Hill products to carry the Whole30 Approved seal, targeting consumers following the Whole30 elimination diet program. The partnership provides marketing co-branding opportunities and access to the Whole30 community.
• Sysco MarketplacecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKite Hill products are available through Sysco Marketplace for direct shipment to foodservice locations. Sysco handles billing while fulfillment is managed by Dot Foods. This enables restaurant and foodservice operator access to Kite Hill products.
• Whole Foods MarketcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary retail distribution partner and launch partner for new products. First retailer to carry Kite Hill products since 2014 and continues to be a key partner for product launches.
• InstacartminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOnline grocery delivery platform partner enabling consumers to order Kite Hill products for home delivery through the Instacart platform.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Miyoko's Creamery: Direct competitor in plant-based cheese and dairy alternatives, using cashew and other plant bases to produce cream cheese, aged cheeses, butter, and yogurts with Whole Foods distribution.
• Follow Your Heart: Plant-based dairy pioneer selling cream cheese, sour cream, and cheeses at Whole Foods and Sprouts; competes with Kite Hill across refrigerated dairy-alternative set.
• Daiya Foods: Plant-based dairy alternative brand (cheese, cream cheese, pizza, yogurts) with broad US grocery distribution and comparable product breadth in dairy-alternative categories.
• Forager Project: Cashew-based plant-based yogurt, milk, and sour cream brand sold at Whole Foods, Sprouts, and Kroger; directly overlaps with Kite Hill's yogurt and cream cheese SKUs.
• Violife: Global plant-based cheese specialist owned by Upfield, offering cream cheese alternatives, slices, and shreds sold at major US retailers including Whole Foods, Kroger and Target.

Broad incumbents

• Oatly: Dominant oat-based milk and yogurt brand with broad retail and foodservice distribution; competes for plant-based dairy shelf space but uses oats rather than almonds.
• Califia Farms: Almond and oat-based plant-based milks, creamers, and yogurts sold at Whole Foods, Target, Sprouts, and Kroger; broad incumbent in the same dairy-alternative category.
• Silk (Danone): Plant-based milk, yogurt, and creamer mega-brand owned by Danone with mass-market US retail distribution; competes on the same shelves as Kite Hill's refrigerated SKUs.
• So Delicious (Danone): Plant-based yogurt, milk, and frozen dessert brand owned by Danone, sold in mainstream US grocery; competes directly with Kite Hill's yogurt line at mainstream retailers.

Emerging players

• Good Culture: Premium cultured dairy brand (dairy and plant-based cottage cheese and sour cream) sold at Whole Foods, Sprouts, and Kroger; emerging player in adjacent cultured-dairy set.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/kitehillfoods
• Xx.com/kitehillfoods

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds5 records

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kite Hill