A bar that gives you energy
… while giving back to our planet and community
An idea starts to grow: how our story began…
For years, Thad Cummings had made his own simple snacks on the go – always tinkering with new, innovative ways to find the balance between health, nature and taste. But a paradigm shift happened when Thad found himself in Ukraine confronted by the reality of thousands of kids without food.
Back home, working in the Emergency Department – where shifts could surpass 15 hours – his colleagues typically had no time for meals, choking down candy bars to get by. Racing in triathlons for kiddos with disabilities, sugar gel packets were the saving grace. Processed junk was prevalent everywhere.
Amidst all this, Thad was consumed by a thought, a hope – isn’t there a better way? A way of providing sustainable, sustaining nutrition. Nutrition that doesn’t destroy our health or our planet and can make a meaningful difference to the lives of those most in need?
From this research, Rethink Nutrition was born – and the Restore bar became a reality.
The goal? A product that could restore a person’s energy and sustain them through long runs, long shifts, and short turnarounds.
A product that could also help sustain our local community, rebuild the environment, and reduce our supply chain and carbon footprint. Working together with local regenerative farms and relying only on the highest quality, most wholesome ingredients, we’re on a mission to restore the health of our people and our planet.
We source the vast majority of our ingredients from local, West Michigan-based suppliers – nurturing close, tight-knit relationships with farmers to ensure everyone gets a fair go. We want to give you the peace of mind that you’re only putting the very best ingredients in your body.
Our ingredients are all natural – no added stabilizers, fillers or sugar substitutes
Our commitment to regenerative farms
We believe that so much of the unhealthy living and disease in society comes from a disconnection to our food and how it’s grown and made.
By collaborating with local, regenerative farms, we’re working to change this. To advocate for newer, better farming practices that are more sustainable for the farmer, for the land and for the quality of food we are consuming.
Want to rethink the way you snack?
Where we are – and where we want to be
From honey and blueberries to apricots, cherries, and oats, we source almost all our ingredients within 100 miles of our Grand Rapids home. What we can’t source locally right now, we’re working on. By partnering with homegrown suppliers right here in West Michigan, we’re feeding into the growth of local industry. And laying the foundations for a sustainable, long-term approach.
Packaging
Our goal is to use only petroleum-free, compostable packaging by 2024. At the moment, we don’t have access to that kind of volume – so we’re using a plastic-based wrapper for now.
That said, we’re already negotiating with a company to develop a new, seaweed-based solution – and exploring a range of other compostable packaging options, too.
Ingredients
Our goal is to use only whole-food ingredients. That means no added stabilizers and no chemical or even “natural” sugar alternatives messing with your gut microbiome.
Low in sugar (but high in fat and protein), our bars rely on natural, locally sourced ingredients. Our sprouted, stone-ground oats increase micronutrient absorption; our dehydrated fruits are free from preservatives or added sugars.
Transport
Our goal is to grow, harvest, and manufacture everything we need within 100 miles of our home base in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Through this, we can cut down on transport-related emissions – one of the biggest contributors of greenhouse gasses in agriculture – and reduce our impact on the environment. All while keeping things local and giving back to the community and industries that sustain us.
Our vision
To empower people on the move to restore their health, their community, and the planet. By educating communities – and providing whole-food bars sourced from local, regenerative farms.
About our founder, Thad Cummings
Thad Cummings is a highly sought-after speaker and author of several books: including Running From Fear and Radical Compassion. Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Thad spent nearly a decade running social enterprises and for-purpose organizations.
Now, he dedicates his life to speaking, writing, educating, growing ReThink Nutrition, and spending time adventuring with his daughter.