MEDIA INQUIRIES
Chris Roberts, Co-Founder
P.O. Box 194
Stockton Springs, Maine 04981 USA
Call 207-449-1214 or click here to email.

Born on the coast of Maine, Chris Roberts was destined to work with food.  The son of a line of restaurateurs, he broke the mold to bake tasty goodies not for humans, but for dogs.  His affinity for fresh and local ingredients began when he met his partner, Renée Johnson. While living in Indiana for several years, they rescued two black lab mixes. Roberts used his love of baking to create wonderful treats for their pups and when they moved back to to their home state of Maine, Roberts turned this hobby into a business.

Barkwheats are grain-free buckwheat dog biscuits baked with local, organic & fair trade ingredients sourced directly from small-scale family farms. They offer four flavors, "SeaVegetable & Chamomile," "Ginger & Parsley," "Blueberry & Lavender," and "Pumpkin & Sage."  All the ingredients, with the exception of the ginger, is grown and harvested at neighboring farms in Maine. The ginger, unable to grow in Maine, is directly purchased from organic farmers in the Toledo District of Belize, thanks to a unique relationship with Maine-based non-profit, Sustainable Harvest International.  In November 2009, Barkwheats' "Ginger & Parsley" flavor became the first pet product on the market to carry the Fair Trade Certified™ label.

Barkwheats come in a 100% biodegradable package - a recycled box and inner cellophane bag that will bio-degrade in four to six months in your home compost. Since the cellophane bag is made from wood pulp, it can also be burned in a woodstove or fireplace.  Barkwheats are as healthy and safe for the earth as they are for your dog!

Founded by Chris Roberts and partner, Renée Johnson, Barkwheats Dog Products, LLC is located in coastal Maine.  They began selling biscuits online through handmade crafter site, Etsy.com, during the 2007 holiday season as a way to share the ginger treats Chris had been perfecting.  In January, they started getting calls from throughout the country asking to to place a wholesale orders.  Their customers had received the treats as holiday gifts and then recommended them to their local retailers.  Chris came up with a second recipe and together they began designing shelf-stable packaging in order to began selling the biscuits to local coops and markets.  It was not until Earth Day, April 22, 2008, once Barkwheats had their new packaging in hand, did they begin adding more wholesale clients.  By December 2008, Barkwheats could be found in 40 stores across the US. In March 2009 Barkwheats were picked up by natural food distributor Associated Buyers and were available in 100 independent pet stores and natural food stores nationwide. By October 2009, customers could purchase Barkwheats in over 330 stores throughout the US and Canada, in addition to 6 online retailers.  In November 2009, Barkwheats' Ginger & Parsley flavored biscuit became the first (and only) pet product on the market to carry the Fair Trade Certified™ label. At the same time, Barkwheats increased the package size to 10 ounces and have gave it a new dog-centric, fun look.  They commissioned Folk Dog artist Abby McMillen of Bozeman, Montana to paint the colorful dogs gracing the new package and marketing materials. In April 2010, Barkwheats moved out of the original basement bakery in the founders' home to a 4,000 square foot facility in Bucksport, Maine.

Barkwheats, a Certified B Corporation, uses the power of business to solve today's social and environmental problems.  Barkwheats is the first B Corporation in the Pet Industry and just the second in the state of Maine.  Purchasing from local producers, powering operations with wind energy provided by the Mars Hill Wind Farm and designing compostable packaging are just a few of the sustainable practices employed by Barkwheats.

MEMBERSHIPS
American Pet Products Association
B Corporation

2010 Rogue Element - Green Design Grant
2009 MaineBiz Next Award - 10 People Shaping the Future of Maine's Economy
2009 Common Ground Country Fair - Best Booth Award

2009 New England Product Tradeshow - New Vendor Best Booth Award

"It's rare to find everything I value wrapped up in one dog cookie, but you've done it – a quality product, made with top notch ingredients from LOCAL growers."

"I can't wait to throw the packaging in our brand new composter that just arrived today.  Start composting America!"

"My husband has Celiac's Disease. His skin was breaking out just from handling other dog biscuits. We were pleased to find Barkwheats, not only because it's much better for him, but because they are locally made and our dog loves them."

PRESS RELEASES
2009 December - Sustainable Harvest International & Barkwheats Join Forces to Bring First Fair Trade Certified Pet Product To Market
2008 December - Barkwheats™ Earns B Corporation Certification
2008 November - Barkwheats™ Now a Coop America Green Business Member
2008 July - Natureflex™ Barks Up The Right Tree For Dog Biscuit Producer
2008 May - Barkwheats™ Offers Sustainable Snack For Maine Dogs

For a full list of published articles and video, please visit our Media page.

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