Women's Bean Project

What Women's Bean Project does

Women's Bean Project is a Denver-based nonprofit social enterprise founded in 1989 that provides transitional employment and job training to women facing significant barriers to work, including justice involvement, substance use history, homelessness, and abuse. The organization operates a food manufacturing business at a single Denver facility, producing soup mixes, chili mixes, baking mixes, spice blends, coffee, tea, snacks, and ancillary products such as dog treats and tote bags. Products are verified non-GMO, certified Kosher, and many are vegan or plant-based; flagship items include Firehouse No. 10 Chili (named after the organization's former 26-year home at a decommissioned Denver firehouse) and a Lentil Soup recipe developed by Food Network chef Giada DeLaurentiis.

Revenue is generated through three commercial channels — direct-to-consumer e-commerce on a Shopify storefront, a dedicated wholesale partner portal supplying grocery stores and specialty retailers (including Whole Foods Market), and $75 seasonal subscription boxes — supplemented by charitable donations. The organization reports that 93% of program graduates remain employed one year after completing the program and that 100% transition into community jobs. Participant intake is sourced from referrals through correctional facilities, halfway houses, Dress for Success, and similar community partners, while post-program employer placement is illustrated by cases such as a graduate hired by CoorsTek.

Operationally, the organization runs with 11-50 employees, is governed by an independent Board of Directors (chaired by Ellen Stein Wallace), and underwent a CEO transition in June 2024 when Shelby Mattingly succeeded long-time CEO Tamra Ryan. Distribution is domestic only, with explicit geographic restrictions excluding international and military-base shipments. The model ties commercial product revenue directly to the employment program, with donations and grant funding (including a March 2024 grant from Share Our Strength) supporting the mission.

Name

Women's Bean Project

Legal name

Women's Bean Project

Website

https://womensbeanproject.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Women's Bean Project is a Denver-based nonprofit social enterprise, founded in 1989, that provides transitional employment and job training to women facing barriers to work by manufacturing and selling soup mixes, baking mixes, spice blends, and snacks through e-commerce, wholesale, and subscription channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Foods

NAICS

Bakeries and Tortilla Manufacturing (3118), Coffee and Tea Manufacturing (311920)

SIC

Miscellaneous Food Preparations & Kindred Products (2090), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Baking Ingredients & Desserts (Flour, Mixes, Frosting, Gelatin) (CRADAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Canned Beans, Legumes & Pulses Manufacturing (AFAKACAC), Meal Kits & Recipe Box Subscriptions (AFAIANAA)

Keywords

• Social enterprise food manufacturing
• Transitional employment program
• Nonprofit specialty foods
• Workforce development services
• Artisan soup baking mixes

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Retail Product Sales: Direct-to-consumer sales of food products through the company's e-commerce website. Products include soups, chilis, baking mixes, spice blends, snacks, and gift items. Revenue is generated through individual one-time purchases and subscription boxes.
2. Wholesale Product Sales: Bulk sales to retail partners including grocery stores and specialty shops through a dedicated wholesale partner portal. Orders ship within 3-5 business days (5-8 during holiday season) with free shipping on orders of $650 or more.
3. Subscription Boxes: Seasonal subscription boxes offered at $75 each, providing recurring revenue from customers who sign up for regular product deliveries.
4. Donations: Charitable donations from supporters to fund the organization's social mission of providing job training and employment to women facing barriers to work.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Women's Bean Project is a nonprofit social enterprise that manufactures and sells food products — including soup mixes, chili mixes, baking mixes, spice blends, instant meals, snacks, coffee and tea, gift bundles, and seasonal subscription boxes — produced by women enrolled in its transitional employment program. Product revenue funds on-the-job training, life-skills classes, career services, case management, and job placement support for chronically unemployed women facing barriers such as justice involvement, substance use history, homelessness, and abuse. Products are sold direct-to-consumer online, through wholesale to grocery and specialty retailers, and via a dedicated subscription program.

Product overview

Women's Bean Project is a nonprofit social enterprise that operates a food manufacturing business tied to a transitional employment program. The company sells high-quality food products made by women facing employment barriers. The product portfolio includes: Soups & Chilis (10 Bean Soup, Firehouse No. 10 Chili, Lentil Soup, Old Fashioned Chili), Baking Mixes (Golden Cornbread, Gluten-Free Cornbread, Snickerdoodle, Chocolate Chip Oatmeal, Cream Scones), Spice Blends (Garlic & Herb, Red Curry, Southwest Salsa, Dill), Coffee & Tea, On-The-Go Snacks, Gift Boxes, and Specialty Items (dog treats, cotton totes, subscription boxes, e-gift cards). Products are sold online direct-to-consumer and through select retail partners across the U.S.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 10 Bean Soup Mix A hearty soup mix featuring ten different varieties of beans, made by women in the Women's Bean Project transitional employment program.
• Firehouse No. 10 Chili Mix Proprietary spicy chili mix named after Denver Firehouse No. 10, featuring chipotle, chili powder, crushed red pepper, kidney, pinto, and red chili beans; verified non-GMO, certified Kosher, and vegan.
• Lentil Soup Mix (recipe by Giada DeLaurentiis) Mediterranean-style lentil soup using a proprietary recipe submitted by Food Network chef Giada DeLaurentiis, featuring Italian spices with yellow split peas and brown and red lentils; verified non-GMO, certified Kosher, and vegan.
• Golden Cornbread Mix Best-selling Southern-style cornbread mix made with premium cornmeal balanced with organic flour; yields approximately 16 slices.
• Gluten-Free Golden Cornbread Mix Allergen-free alternative to Golden Cornbread Mix; does not share equipment with wheat products and yields approximately 16 slices.
• Snickerdoodle Cookie Mix Classic snickerdoodle cookie mix with cinnamon and cream of tartar, made in the Women's Bean Project program.
• Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookie Mix Oatmeal cookie mix with chocolate chips, handmade in the Women's Bean Project program.
• Cream Scone Mix English-style scone mix for breakfast or tea time.
• Garlic and Herb Spice Blend Signature spice blend featuring garlic, onion, parsley, black pepper, rosemary, and oregano; packaged in a reusable aluminum tin with a QR code linking to recipe ideas.
• Red Curry Spice Blend (Malaysian-inspired) Malaysian-inspired spice blend featuring chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, coriander, cayenne pepper, and ginger; packaged in a reusable aluminum tin with recipe card.
• Southwest Salsa Spice Blend Colorado-inspired spice blend featuring medium red chili, cilantro, garlic, onion, and cumin; packaged in a reusable aluminum tin.
• Dill Spice Blend Dill-based spice blend for seasoning a variety of dishes.
• Instant Cilantro Lime Rice with Black Beans Ready-to-make rice and bean cup dish.
• Peanut Butter & Molasses Dog Treats Handcrafted dog treats made by women in the Women's Bean Project program.
• Two Cookie Mix Gift Bundle Gift bundle featuring Snickerdoodle and Chocolate Chip Oatmeal cookie mixes, shrink-wrapped with a colorful bow for easy gifting.
• Seasonal Subscription Box Seasonal subscription box featuring curated Women's Bean Project food products, sold at $75 per box and shipped on a recurring annual cadence.
• E-Gift Card Digital gift card available in various denominations with a $10 minimum, redeemable on the Women's Bean Project storefront.
• Women's Bean Project Printed Cotton Tote Canvas tote bag with the Women's Bean Project logo printed on it.
• Fair Trade Coffee & Instant Tea Collection of fair trade coffees and instant teas sold alongside the broader food product line.
• On-The-Go Snacks (Popcorn, Plantain Chips) Portable snack items including popcorn and plantain chips sold under the On-The-Go collection.
• Premium Gift Boxes & Gourmet Gift Bundles Curated premium gift boxes and gourmet food gift bundles assembled from Women's Bean Project product lines.
• Transitional Employment Training Program Mission program that combines on-the-job training in food manufacturing with life-skills classes, case management, GED preparation, peer specialist training, and job placement support for chronically unemployed women facing barriers including justice involvement, substance use history, homelessness, and abuse.

Quantifiable outcome

• 93% of graduates are still employed one year after completing the program
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• CoorsTekminorOthersCoorsTek in Golden, Colorado hired Jazzmine, a Women's Bean Project graduate, after she completed the program. Because Jazzmine had her GED prior to graduating, she started in a higher paying position with full health and dental benefits.
• TrustpilotminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTrustpilot review platform used to display customer reviews and build credibility for the e-commerce storefront.
• Dress for SuccesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen's Bean Project participants attend Dress for Success programming to help prepare for job searching and interviews as part of the comprehensive employment preparation services.
• Denver Fire Department (Historical)minorOthersThe organization was headquartered at Denver Firehouse No. 10 for 26 years, a decommissioned firehouse built in the 1920s, inspiring the name of the Firehouse No. 10 Chili product.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Tony's Chocolonely: Mission-driven chocolate brand focused on slave-free cocoa supply chains, sold in U.S. natural and grocery channels. Comparable mission-first CPG brand model with strong storytelling, though different category (chocolate vs. soup/baking) and for-profit structure.
• Rishi Tea & Botanicals: Direct-trade tea and botanicals brand sold in specialty grocery, foodservice, and DTC channels. Comparable in fair-trade/direct-trade credentials, premium specialty-channel positioning, and overlap with WBP's Coffee & Tea category.
• Lotus Foods: B Corp rice and noodle brand focused on sustainable, smallholder-farmer sourcing. Comparable in values-driven CPG positioning, premium/specialty grocery distribution, and plant-based product credentials that overlap with WBP's non-GMO/vegan positioning.
• Alter Eco Foods: Certified B Corp and fair-trade packaged food company (chocolate, quinoa, rice) sold through natural and grocery channels. Comparable in mission-aligned, fair-trade packaged food model with overlapping retail and e-commerce GTM.

Broad incumbents

• Dr. Bronner's: Family-owned, certified B Corp personal care company with strong social/activism mission and premium pricing. Comparable mission-driven brand model and B Corp values positioning, though different product category (personal care vs. food).
• Ben & Jerry's Homemade: Iconic mission-driven ice cream brand (Unilever-owned) known for progressive social values tied to product and sourcing. Comparable social-mission + CPG positioning at massive scale; different product category but analogous brand-as-advocacy model.
• Newman's Own: Founded food company that donates 100% of profits to charity. Comparable in the social-mission + branded CPG food model, but operates at national scale across many categories (salad dressing, pizza, cookies) versus WBP's focused Denver-based soup/baking portfolio.

Direct peers

• Greyston Bakery: Nonprofit social enterprise bakery in Yonkers, NY that uses an Open Hiring model to employ people facing barriers to work. Highly comparable to Women's Bean Project in mission, structure, and product (baked goods), with a much larger revenue scale (~$15–20M reported).
• Just Coffee Cooperative: Worker-owned coffee roaster focused on fair-trade, transparent-sourcing coffee sold wholesale and direct. Directly comparable as a small-scale, mission-driven coffee brand with values-aligned sourcing and overlapping coffee/tea product line.
• Equal Exchange: Worker cooperative sourcing and selling fair-trade coffee, tea, chocolate, and snacks. Directly comparable as a mission-led food brand with cooperative values, a coffee/tea product line, and wholesale and gift-channel distribution that overlaps with WBP's portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/womensbeanproject
• Facebookfacebook.com/womensbeanproject
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/women's-bean-project
• Instagraminstagram.com/womensbeanproject
• Pinterestpinterest.com/womensbean
• Xx.com/womensbean

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 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 Women's Bean Project