# #213 - The Rise of Almonds with Daily Crunch and Philosopher Foods

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2025-09-09
- Length: 52m
- Episode: 192
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-09-09-213-the-rise-of-almonds-with-daily-crunch-and-philosopher-foods
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/53333936

## Summary

Laurel Orley, Co-Founder of Daily Crunch, and Tim Richards, Founder of Philosopher Foods, discuss their respective innovations in the almond snacking category. Orley explains how Daily Crunch uses a sprouting and dehydration process to create a unique crunchy texture and flavors like turmeric and sea salt, scaling from a kitchen R&D effort to conventional retail. Richards details the accidental creation of Gut Nuts, the first fermented almonds, which use lacto-fermentation to deliver probiotics and a sourdough-like flavor profile, and his strategy for national expansion into retailers like Sprouts and Whole Foods.

## Outline

1. Introduction: Daily Crunch and Philosopher Foods
2. Daily Crunch: Sprouting Process and Texture Innovation
3. Daily Crunch: Flavor Development and Sourcing
4. Daily Crunch: Omnichannel Distribution and Airport Strategy
5. Philosopher Foods: The Accidental Birth of Gut Nuts
6. Gut Nuts: Fermentation Science and Consumer Appeal
7. Philosopher Foods: Manufacturing, Regenerative Sourcing, and Growth

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Daily Crunch (company)
- Philosopher Foods (company)
- Gut Nuts (product)
- Almond Board of California (company)
- Meijer (company)
- Whole Foods (company)
- Sprouts (company)
- Chibo Express (company)
- WH Smith (company)
- Thrive Market (company)
- Amazon (company)
- Wheat Under (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [350 - Beyond the Dieline - Dr Juan from PNuff Crunch joins Tom Seymour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2026-05-27-350-beyond-the-dieline-dr-juan-from-pnuff-crunch-joins-tom-seymour) (People of Packaging)
- [How I Built Resilience: Justin Gold of Justin's](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-10-31-how-i-built-resilience-justin-gold-of-justins) (How I Built This)
- [nutpods: Madeline Haydon](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-05-13-nutpods-madeline-haydon) (How I Built This)
- [Advice Line with Ben Goodwin of Olipop](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-09-03-advice-line-with-ben-goodwin-of-olipop) (How I Built This)
- [Justin’s Nut Butter: Justin Gold. He Was Waiting Tables, Then...He Reinvented Peanut Butter.](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-05-25-justins-nut-butter-justin-gold-he-was-waiting-tables-then-he-reinvented-peanut-b) (How I Built This)

## Citing this page

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