BeanVivo Supply Chain Optimization
Overview
BeanVivo restructured its bean procurement process by routing purchases through its co-packer, Valley Food System (VFS), rather than buying directly. VFS now purchases ROC-certified black beans directly from Asymmetric, simplifying the supply chain and consolidating sourcing and production logistics under a single vendor relationship.
This change was finalized in a meeting between BeanVivo (Aldo Gonzalez, Gabriela) and Asymmetric (Mark Hope) in early 2026. See the source meeting: [1].
New Procurement Structure
Before
BeanVivo purchased beans directly from Asymmetric and coordinated delivery to Valley Food System for production runs.
After
Valley Food System purchases beans directly from Asymmetric, handling:
- Order placement
- Payment
- Truckload pickup coordination
BeanVivo remains the directing party — specifying product, volume, and timing — but is no longer the buyer of record.
Key Contacts
| Role | Person | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| Procurement lead | Justin (last name TBD) | Valley Food System |
| Supplier contact | Mark Hope | Asymmetric |
| BeanVivo liaison | Gabriela | BeanVivo |
Onboarding Requirements
Asymmetric requires VFS to complete a credit application and standard vendor setup forms (e.g., W-9) before orders can be placed. Gabriela is responsible for making the formal email introduction between Mark Hope and Justin.
Initial Order Details
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Product | ROC Tested Clean black beans |
| Quantity | ~60,000 lbs (potentially up to 80,000 lbs) |
| Order deadline | Early March 2026 |
| Production run | Week of March 16, 2026 |
| Lead time | Immediate — inventory is cleaned and on hand |
Asymmetric confirmed a large harvest, suggesting ample supply beyond the initial order. Exact inventory figures were to be confirmed by Mark Hope post-meeting.
Pricing
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Sale price | $1.10 / lb (firm) |
| Asymmetric COGS | ~$1.00 / lb (growing, shipping, cleaning, packaging) |
| Margin | ~$0.10 / lb |
The $1.10/lb price is non-negotiable. If VFS requests a volume discount, Asymmetric's position is that the margin is already minimal and the price cannot be reduced further.
Available ROC Bean Varieties
Beyond black beans, Asymmetric carries the following ROC-certified varieties that BeanVivo may source for future product lines:
- Pinto Beans
- Dark Red Kidney Beans
- Small Red Beans
- Canary Beans (yellow)
- Navy Beans
- Canola Beans (distinct species; similar appearance to cannellini)
- Cranberry Beans (speckled red)
Asymmetric also carries organic, non-ROC beans at better pricing, suitable for BeanVivo products that do not require ROC certification.
BeanVivo intends to evaluate these varieties for expanded product lines (e.g., charro beans, chili mixes, soups) and potential placement at Sprouts and Whole Foods.
Strategic Context
This procurement restructuring is the first step in a broader supply relationship between BeanVivo and Asymmetric. The initial ROC black bean order is a quality trial: if VFS is satisfied with purity and quality, they plan to expand ordering across additional varieties.
BeanVivo's product format is cooked, packaged beans — not dry beans — positioning them as a value-added processor rather than a competitor to Asymmetric's own dry bean retail business (e.g., Doodla Farms on Amazon).
A parallel conversation about Asymmetric managing BeanVivo's Amazon growth strategy is documented in [2].
Action Items (from source meeting)
- [ ] Gabriela — Email introduction: connect Mark Hope ↔ Justin (VFS Procurement)
- [ ] Mark Hope — Confirm exact ROC black bean inventory; report back to Aldo/Gabriela
- [ ] Gabriela — Compile full ROC variety list and share with BeanVivo team
- [ ] Aldo — Call Gabriela post-meeting re: VFS intro process and Jaina volume opportunity
Related
- [3]
- [4]
- [2]
- [5]