La Soupe

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.

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

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

• Food rescue services
• Nonprofit meal distribution
• Food waste reduction
• Medically tailored meals
• Culinary education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Cincinnati

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. Retail Food Sales (La Soupe To Go): Direct sales of soups, salads, and meals through Walnut Hills storefront and online ordering platform.
3. Catering Services: Corporate catering for events, meetings, and fundraisers featuring rescued food ingredients. Events require three weeks advance notice for menu planning.
4. 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

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core 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

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Last Mile Food Rescue (LMFR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Pilot 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 AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 April 2023La 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 HelpingscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership 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 KentuckycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst-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 HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPilot 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 HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUC Maternal Health Pilot Program providing Medically Tailored Meals to address pregnancy-related hypertension and reduce infant/maternal morbidity in Black women.
• Walnut Hills Redevelopment FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership 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 InitiativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for urban gardening shifts. Volunteers work at designated garden locations to grow produce for La Soupe kitchen.
• The Kroger Co.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenting 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 MealscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst member of Rescue Kitchen Network. Graduate of Capacity Building Program. Located in Dayton, Ohio.
• Black Power InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWalnut 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

Direct 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

• Facebookfacebook.com/lasoupecincinnati
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/la-soupe-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 La Soupe