---
title: Doudlah Farms Cooked Bean Co-Packing
type: article
created: '2026-04-05'
updated: '2026-04-05'
source_docs:
- raw/2026-04-03-doudlah-farms-marketing-amazon-ecommerce-inventory-call-135275772.md
tags:
- doudlah-farms
- cooked-beans
- co-packing
- valley-foods
- bean-vivo
- product-development
- pricing
- vapg-grant
- food-beverage
layer: 2
client_source: null
industry_context: food-beverage
transferable: true
---

# Doudlah Farms Cooked Bean Co-Packing

## Overview

Doudlah Farms is exploring a cooked bean product line, driven by an inbound supply request from Bean Vivo and the availability of a co-packing partner in Valley Foods. The initiative is contingent on VAPG grant reimbursements to fund the development. As of the April 2026 strategy call, pricing, recipes, and co-packer terms are still being finalized.

See also: [[clients/doudlah-farms/_index]] | [[knowledge/food-beverage/doudlah-farms-new-brand-beans]]

---

## Opportunity Origin: Bean Vivo

Bean Vivo reached out directly requesting supply for new recipes, asking about availability of:

- Navy beans
- Yellow beans
- Small reds
- Pinks
- Pintos
- Cranberry beans

Bean Vivo's inquiry was framed around capacity constraints, not price — giving Doudlah Farms some negotiating room. They are an existing relationship with a prior price point around $1.10–$1.20/lb.

**Key constraint:** Bean Vivo has historically required ROC-certified beans. Non-ROC inventory cannot be sold into this channel without a separate brand strategy (see [[knowledge/food-beverage/doudlah-farms-new-brand-beans]]).

---

## Pricing Strategy

| Target | Price |
|--------|-------|
| Opening ask | $1.35/lb |
| Expected settlement | $1.25/lb |
| Prior relationship price | $1.10–$1.20/lb |

The rationale for pushing higher: Doudlah Farms' beans carry ROC and Demeter biodynamic certification, which commands a premium. The prior $1.10 price is considered below fair value for regenerative/biodynamic product.

**Negotiation approach:** Open at $1.35, expect to land at $1.25. Bean Vivo is accustomed to the lower range, so the increase requires justification via certification value.

---

## Co-Packing: Valley Foods

**Contact:** Justin Giambattista, Valley Foods

Valley Foods is the identified co-packer for cooking and packaging the beans. As of the April 2026 call, pricing and MOQ have been requested but not yet received.

### Status
- [ ] Mark Hope to follow up with Justin Giambattista on cooked bean pricing and MOQ
- [ ] Include DPI plain bean recipe in outreach

### Logistics Notes
- Valley Foods also has an outstanding invoice (~$51k, due ~April 7, 2026) — the follow-up serves a dual purpose
- Co-packing scope includes both plain and flavored bean runs (test batches)

---

## Recipe Development

Lucy Doudlah has a plain bean recipe ready. Additional recipe sourcing is underway:

- **School unit sizes:** Lucy is sourcing from Sherry Howard (likely for institutional/B2B channel fit)
- **Flavored options:** To be explored as part of the Valley Foods test run

The plain recipe will be shared with Valley Foods as part of the co-packing inquiry.

---

## VAPG Grant Dependency

The cooked bean initiative is explicitly tied to VAPG (Value-Added Producer Grant) funding. Approximately **$55,000 in marketing reimbursements** are currently delayed due to a difficult USDA inspector reviewing grant invoices.

- The inspector has flagged questions around total popcorn sales figures and the percentage of Asymmetric's marketing fees
- This is the second failed approval attempt
- **Action:** Mark Hope to schedule a call with Daniela (USDA grant contact) to resolve outstanding invoice issues

Unlocking VAPG reimbursements would relieve bank pressure (~$500k demand within ~6 weeks as of April 2026) and provide capital to fund the cooked bean development.

See also: [[knowledge/grants/vapg-grant-overview]]

---

## Key Decisions & Open Questions

| Decision / Question | Status |
|---|---|
| Bean Vivo pricing | Proposed $1.35 → target $1.25; not yet submitted |
| Valley Foods co-pack pricing | Awaiting response |
| Plain bean recipe | Ready (Lucy) |
| Flavored bean recipe | TBD |
| School unit sizing | In progress (Sherry Howard) |
| VAPG reimbursement unlock | Blocked; call with Daniela needed |

---

## Action Items

- [ ] **Mark Hope** — Email Valley Foods (Justin Giambattista) re: cooked bean pricing/MOQ; include DPI plain bean recipe
- [ ] **Mark Hope** — Schedule call with Daniela (USDA) to resolve VAPG invoice issues
- [ ] **Lucy Doudlah** — Finalize plain bean recipe for Valley Foods submission
- [ ] **Lucy Doudlah** — Source school unit sizes from Sherry Howard

---

## Source

Discussed in: [[meetings/2026-04-03-doudlah-farms-amazon-ecommerce-inventory-strategy-call]]