La Soupe
La Soupe is a Cincinnati-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that rescues surplus food and transforms it into ready-to-eat meals, distributing to 150+ community partners, healthcare systems, and retail customers while operating medically tailored meal programs and replicating its model via the Rescue Kitchen Network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersCincinnati, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What La Soupe does
La Soupe is a Cincinnati-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit food rescue organization founded in 2015 by chef Suzy DeYoung. It operates a 10,000 sq ft Board of Health-certified commissary kitchen (expanded by 6,000 sq ft in 2024) in the Walnut Hills neighborhood, where professional chefs and a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist transform surplus food from grocers, farms, manufacturers, and distributors into ready-to-eat meals. In the most recent year, the organization rescued 1.4 million pounds of surplus food and produced 1.8 million meals, with weekly throughput of approximately 30,000 pounds.
The organization's core operating model—Rescue, Transform, Share—is delivered through four product lines: (1) a Community Share Partner program distributing free prepared meals to 150+ vetted 501(c)(3) nonprofits (food pantries, schools, nursing homes, shelters); (2) Nourish/Medically Tailored Meals (MTMs), DASH-diet-rooted and AHA-certified meals for patients with diet-related conditions, delivered via healthcare partnerships with Cincinnati Children's, UC Health, and Meals on Wheels; (3) La Soupe To Go, a retail storefront and online store selling soups, salads, and meals; and (4) corporate catering and Lunch & Learn programming ($15/person). Sub-brands include Nourish, Medically Tailored Meals, Rescue Transform Share, and La Soupe To Go.
Revenue is overwhelmingly philanthropic: individual donations, foundation grants (Joe Burrow Foundation, L&L Nippert, R.C. Durr, Butler, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Campbell's, Kroger Zero Hunger | Zero Waste), state funding (Ohio EPA, Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services, a committed $3M state investment), and earned revenue from retail and catering. The organization employs 40+ paid staff supported by 750 volunteers contributing 16,000+ hours annually, with volunteer food runners executing 120+ pick-up and delivery runs weekly via the Food Rescue US app. La Soupe is also actively franchising its model via the Rescue Kitchen Network and Capacity Building Program (partner: Second Helpings), with Miami Valley Meals in Dayton as the first network member.
La Soupe firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- La Soupe
- Legal name
- La Soupe, Inc.
- Website
- https://lasoupe.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- La Soupe is a Cincinnati-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that rescues surplus food and transforms it into ready-to-eat meals, distributing to 150+ community partners, healthcare systems, and retail customers while operating medically tailored meal programs and replicating its model via the Rescue Kitchen Network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
La Soupe industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Food Rescue and Meal Distribution Services
- NAICS
- Community Food Services (62421), Restaurants and Other Eating Places (72251), Caterers (72232)
- SIC
- Food And Kindred Products (2000), Retail-Eating Places (5812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Corporate/Workplace Meal Programs & Bulk Prepared Meals (CRAHAJAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Menu Planning, Nutrition & Dietary Accommodation Services (Allergens, Special Diets) (EDAEAEAD), Frozen Soups, Stews & Chili (CRADADAJ)
Keywords
Where La Soupe is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cincinnati
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
La Soupe business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Donations and Grants: Primary funding source from individual donors, foundation grants (including Joe Burrow Foundation, L&L Nippert Charitable Foundation, Ohio EPA), and corporate sponsors. Federal EIN: 47-4452384.
- Retail Food Sales (La Soupe To Go): Direct sales of soups, salads, and meals through Walnut Hills storefront and online ordering platform.
- Catering Services: Corporate catering for events, meetings, and fundraisers featuring rescued food ingredients. Events require three weeks advance notice for menu planning.
- Government Grants: Funding from government sources including Ohio EPA Recycle Ohio Grant Program, Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services, and state investments to expand food insecurity programs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Per event | Lunch & Learn Program - $15 per person |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
La Soupe product offering
Product offeringCore offering
La Soupe is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that rescues surplus food from grocers, farms, manufacturers, and distributors and transforms it into nutritious, chef-prepared ready-to-eat meals. Last year, the organization rescued 1.4 million pounds of surplus food and produced 1.8 million ready-to-eat meals, distributing them through a network of 150+ nonprofit Share Partners and healthcare partnerships, while also operating the La Soupe To Go retail storefront and corporate catering services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Nourish: La Soupe's line of medically supportive meals, rooted in the principles of the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension). These meals are designed to lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of diabetes, support healthy weight management, and improve overall health outcomes.
- Medically Tailored Meals (MTMs)
- Rescue Transform Share (RTS)
- La Soupe To Go
Products and services
- Food Rescue and Meal Distribution Program Core food rescue program that collects surplus food from grocers, farms, manufacturers, and distributors and transforms it into nutritious chef-prepared ready-to-eat meals and soups for distribution to community Share Partner nonprofits at no cost. Last year, rescued 1.4 million pounds of food and produced 1.8 million ready-to-eat meals.
- La Soupe To Go (Retail Storefront) Retail carryout storefront located inside the Walnut Hills commissary kitchen selling fresh and frozen soups, salads, and hearty meals crafted by La Soupe chefs. Open Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4pm. Menu changes weekly. Online ordering available through Square site. Every purchase supports the mission of fighting food insecurity.
- Nourish Medically Supportive Meals Medically supportive meal line rooted in DASH diet principles, designed to lower blood pressure, reduce diabetes risk, support healthy weight management, and improve overall health outcomes. Each meal is plant-forward, portion-controlled, rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and naturally flavorful without added salt, fat, or sugar. American Heart Association certified.
- Medically Tailored Meals (MTMs) Scratch-made meals customized by a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist to meet the specific medical needs of individuals living with serious, diet-related health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or high-risk pregnancies. Provided through referrals from healthcare providers or insurance plans. Six months of MTMs costs roughly the same as a single night in hospital.
- Corporate and Event Catering Catering services for corporate events, board meetings, and fundraisers featuring rescued food ingredients. Menu includes artisanal soups, salads, and sandwiches. Requires 3 weeks advance notice for menu planning. Contact via [email protected]. Lunch & Learn Program at $15 per person with sliding scale pricing for nonprofits.
- Give a Crock Culinary Education Program Culinary education program teaching students and community members cooking skills using slow cookers and rescued ingredients, supporting workforce development and food preparation skills.
- Rescue Kitchen Network and Capacity Building Program Replicable operational framework for food rescue kitchens offered to other nonprofits nationwide through the Capacity Building Program. Provides weekly training, operational guidance, and mentoring covering rescue & share partner development, inventory management, impact measurement, and volunteer engagement. Contact via [email protected].
Quantifiable outcome
- Rescued 1.4 million pounds of surplus food last year, diverting from landfills
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use La Soupe
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
La Soupe technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature3 records
La Soupe partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Last Mile Food Rescue (LMFR)corePilot partnership with LMFR to coordinate food rescue logistics. LMFR delivered 263 rescue runs to La Soupe in 2025, moving over 152,000 lbs of food. LMFR coordinates daily with La Soupe teams and delivers food directly to the kitchen. Pilot launching October 2025 with portion of volunteer runs coordinated through LMFR's platform.
- American Heart AssociationcoreLa Soupe certified by AHA. Nourish meals align with AHA dietary guidelines. Research partnership with Dr. Francoise Knox Kazimierczuk using AHA's Life's Essential Eight framework.
- Second HelpingscorePartnership in the Capacity Building Program. Second Helpings provides weekly training, operational guidance, and mentoring to help nonprofits expand food rescue operations. Focus areas include rescue & share partner development, inventory management, impact measurement, and volunteer engagement.
- Meals on Wheels of Southwest Ohio & Northern KentuckycoreFirst-of-its-kind partnership between Meals on Wheels America and a food rescue nonprofit. MOW seniors on Cardiac and Diabetic diets can select La Soupe MTM on weekly meal orders. Seniors receiving congregate meals can have Nourish desserts.
- Cincinnati Children's HospitalcorePilot study with Dr. Roohi Karofa's HealthWorks! clinic combating childhood obesity. La Soupe provides 10 nutritious meals per week for 12 weeks to children facing food insecurity. RDNs provide nutrition education. Also partnered with Dr. Francoise Knox Kazimierczuk's research study on cardiovascular disease prevention for Black/African American birthing people.
- UC HealthcoreUC Maternal Health Pilot Program providing Medically Tailored Meals to address pregnancy-related hypertension and reduce infant/maternal morbidity in Black women.
- Walnut Hills Redevelopment FoundationminorPartnership for urban gardening initiative. Volunteers assist in planting, weeding, watering, and building garden structures. Portion of harvest shared with La Soupe for kitchen use.
- Urban Farming InitiativeminorPartnership for urban gardening shifts. Volunteers work at designated garden locations to grow produce for La Soupe kitchen.
- The Kroger Co.corePresenting sponsor of 10th anniversary celebration. Major food rescue partner providing surplus food donations. Kroger Co. Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation supporter ($25,000-$49,999 range).
- Miami Valley MealscoreFirst member of Rescue Kitchen Network. Graduate of Capacity Building Program. Located in Dayton, Ohio.
- Black Power InitiativecoreWalnut Hills-based nonprofit serving approximately 600 people. Partnership for food distribution in underserved community. BPI rescued 36,445 pounds of food and served 12,300 people in past year.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
La Soupe competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Second Helpings: Indianapolis-based food rescue nonprofit that transforms donated food into meals for distribution. Direct operational peer — partner of La Soupe in delivering the Capacity Building Program for the Rescue Kitchen Network.
- Food Rescue US: National app-based platform connecting food donors with local agencies and volunteer food runners. La Soupe's volunteer drivers already use this platform to coordinate 120+ weekly pick-up and delivery runs.
- Last Mile Food Rescue: Cincinnati-area food rescue logistics nonprofit running volunteer-driven food runs. Pilot partner of La Soupe delivering 263 rescue runs and 152,000+ lbs in 2025; highly comparable operating model in the same geography.
- Miami Valley Meals: Dayton, Ohio food rescue nonprofit and the first member of La Soupe's Rescue Kitchen Network after graduating the Capacity Building Program. Operationally and structurally comparable as a smaller sister organization.
- Martha's Table: Washington, D.C. nonprofit that combines food rescue/scratch-cooked meals, healthy food access, and education programs. Highly comparable multi-program nonprofit model to La Soupe.
- God's Love We Deliver: New York-based nonprofit providing medically tailored meals to people living with serious illness. Closest peer in the MTM/healthcare food space with comparable RDN-led production and chronic-disease focus.
Broad incumbents
- Food is Medicine Coalition: National association of medically tailored meal providers of which La Soupe is an Accelerator graduate. Sets programmatic standards and convenes the MTM provider network — peer/incumbent in the healthcare-food channel.
- Meals on Wheels America: National network providing home-delivered meals to seniors. Direct partner of La Soupe (2024 Partner of the Year), and an incumbent in the medically tailored and congregate-meal delivery space La Soupe is moving into.
- Feeding America: Largest U.S. hunger-relief nonprofit and national food rescue/distribution network. Broad incumbent with overlapping donor and partner ecosystems though not a chef-led kitchen model.
- Community FoodBank of New Jersey: Large regional food bank distributing donated food through a partner network. Comparable distribution scale and partner-aggregation model, though not chef-led prepared meals.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
La Soupe social profiles
Digital presenceLa Soupe financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
La Soupe leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles18 records
La Soupe funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
La Soupe M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about La Soupe
What does La Soupe do?
La Soupe is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that rescues surplus food from grocers, farms, manufacturers, and distributors and transforms it into nutritious, chef-prepared ready-to-eat meals. Last year, the organization rescued 1.4 million pounds of surplus food and produced 1.8 million ready-to-eat meals, distributing them through a network of 150+ nonprofit Share Partners and healthcare partnerships, while also operating the La Soupe To Go retail storefront and corporate catering services.
Is La Soupe a public or private company?
La Soupe is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was La Soupe founded?
La Soupe was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is La Soupe based?
La Soupe is headquartered in Cincinnati, United States, in the North America region.
How does La Soupe make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Grants are the primary driver. The others are retail Food Sales (La Soupe To Go), catering Services and government Grants.
Who are La Soupe's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Second Helpings, Food Rescue US, Last Mile Food Rescue, Miami Valley Meals, Martha's Table and God's Love We Deliver. Broad incumbents are Food is Medicine Coalition, Meals on Wheels America, Feeding America and Community FoodBank of New Jersey.
Does La Soupe have an API?
No public API is recorded for La Soupe.
What industry is La Soupe in?
La Soupe's product category is Food Rescue and Meal Distribution Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAHAJAJ, Corporate/Workplace Meal Programs & Bulk Prepared Meals, with a secondary code of EDAEAEAD, Menu Planning, Nutrition & Dietary Accommodation Services (Allergens, Special Diets). Its NAICS code is 62421 and its SIC code is 2000.