JAMBAR Making Waves With New Tropical Trio Flavor and Signing of Pro Surfer Tia Blanco

Organic Energy Bar Maker Also Announces Three-Flavor Vegan Box

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (March 6, 2024) – Organic energy bar maker JAMBAR today announced the launch of Tropical Trio – a new vegan flavor featuring a bright and breezy blend of banana, pineapple and coconut. In addition to this ensemble of island fruits, the new bar contains gluten-free ancient grains, walnut butter and 10 grams of plant-based protein. JAMBAR also revealed the signing of pro surfer, mother and plant-based athlete Tia Blanco, as well as the launch of a 12-bar vegan box that will include Tropical Trio, Jammin’ Jazzleberry and Musical Mango.

The new flavor was formulated by JAMBAR founder Jennifer Maxwell, a food scientist and co-founder of the original PowerBar®. Designed to take taste buds on an island escape, Tropical Trio features comforting notes of banana that meet the exotic with hints of coconut and pineapple. 

Professional surfer Tia Blanco.

Attendees at next week’s Natural Products Expo West (March 13-15) in Anaheim, California, will be the first to sample Tropical Trio at the JAMBAR booth (N2140). New JAMBAR ambassador Tia Blanco will be at the booth on Wednesday, March 13, from 1-4 p.m. for a meet and greet and to sign autographs.“Finally! A bar that not only tastes delicious, but one I can trust to deliver clean, plant-based energy. JAMBAR is the perfect fuel to power my active lifestyle and motherhood,” said Blanco.

A professional surfer from Southern California, Blanco was the gold medalist at the International Surfing Association Women’s World Surfing Championship in 2015 and 2016. She also won ABC’s The Ultimate Surfer competition in 2021 and is an accomplished yogi, painter and entrepreneur.

The newest member of Team JAMBAR, Blanco joins top-tier athletes including Olympic Gold Medalist Jonny Moseley, professional running power couple Joe Klecker and Sage Hurta-Klecker, Stroller Mile World Record Holder Neely Spence Gracey, pro cyclist and Gravel Hall of Famer Ali Tetrick, and professional skier and biker Ryan McElmon.

Tropical Trio is JAMBAR’s fifth flavor, and its first new flavor since the company launched in late 2021. In addition to the three vegan fruit flavors, JAMBAR also offers two bars that contain whey protein – Chocolate Cha Cha and Malt Nut Melody. All five flavors are crafted in a dedicated, state-of-the-art production facility in San Rafael, California.

JAMBAR Vegan Box Now Available
The company also announced the availability of a new 12-bar box featuring four bars each of JAMBAR’s three vegan options – Tropical Trio, Jammin’ Jazzleberry and Musical Mango. Every vegan bar contains 10 grams of high-quality sunflower protein and is sweetened using only organic maple syrup and natural sugars found in fruit.

The new vegan box can be purchased online at www.jambar.com and via Amazon Prime, and will be rolling out to retail locations this spring.

“Our vegan flavors pack a serious nutritional punch without sacrificing taste,” said Maxwell. “With the new vegan box, people who are focused on a plant-based diet can enjoy variety while staying true to their clean eating lifestyle.”

About JAMBAR
In late 2021, Jennifer Maxwell founded JAMBAR with the goal of helping people feel good about the ingredients they put in their bodies, and about the positive impact they can have on their local communities. Made from only premium organic ingredients, the bars feature ancient grains, authentic natural sweeteners and high-quality proteins.The company donates 50% of after-tax profits to organizations that support the transformative pursuits of music and sports. JAMBARs are available at jambar.com, via Amazon Prime, and at select grocery and sports specialty stores including Erewhon, Safeway (NorCal Division), Raley’s Supermarkets, Mother’s Market & Kitchen, Gelson’s Markets, Earth Fare, The Fresh Market, Good Earth Natural Foods, Mollie Stone’s Markets, Nugget Market and select Fleet Feet and other running store locations. Learn more at www.jambar.com and follow JAMBAR on Facebook and Instagram.

Media Contacts
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel: 303.807.1042
Debbie Pfeifer, JAMBAR, debbie@jambar.com, tel: 206.669.3580

Woman-Owned JAMBAR®, Maker of Organic Whole Food Energy Bars, Expands Retail Presence with Erewhon

Founded by Jennifer Maxwell, creator of the original PowerBar®, JAMBAR certified organic energy bars are now available in all 10 locations of leading natural products retailer Erewhon. Rapidly growing its retail and distribution base, JAMBAR also recently appointed natural products industry sales veteran Darren Wagoner as national sales manager.

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (Feb. 6, 2024) – Independent, woman-owned JAMBAR, the artisan-made, organic energy bar company founded in 2021 by Jennifer Maxwell, is pleased to announce significant expansion of its line of certified organic, whole food energy bars. Maxwell, a food scientist, athlete and musician, together with her late husband, Brian Maxwell, essentially created the entire energy bar category when they launched the original PowerBar® in the mid-1980s.

Consumers can now find JAMBAR organic energy bars in all 10 Erewhon locations. Based in Los Angeles, Erewhon is renowned as one of the most innovative natural products retailers in the U.S. Erewhon will offer three JAMBAR flavors – Malt Nut Melody, Chocolate Cha Cha and Jammin’ Jazzleberry. By supporting local producers, ethical brands and sustainable farming practices, offering exceptional customer service and education, and fostering community, Erewhon has built a reputation that attracts healthy lifestyle consumers, athletes, entertainers and celebrities alike.

“With its commitment to quality, selection and service, Erewhon has become a ‘gold standard’ among grocers who sell natural products. As a mission-based brand committed to providing customers with premium quality organic products at an affordable price, we’re excited to partner with Erewhon,” said Maxwell, JAMBAR’s CEO and founder.

“We are pleased to offer JAMBARs to our customers,” said Vito Antoci, executive vice president of Erewhon. “First, they are simply delicious and nutritious whole food, certified organic energy bars that meet our high standards. Second, we support mission-based brands such as JAMBAR, which donates 50% of after-tax profits to organizations that promote music and active living.”

JAMBAR Featured in Leading Groceries, Specialty Retailers
In addition to Erewhon, JAMBAR is expanding its retail presence across the U.S. – the company’s artisan-made, organic energy bars are now available in leading grocers and specialty and athletic stores, including Safeway (NorCal Division), Raley’s Supermarkets, Mother’s Market & Kitchen, Lazy Acres, Gelson’s Markets, Earth Fare, The Fresh Market, Good Earth Natural Foods, Mollie Stone’s Markets, Nugget Market, Cambridge Naturals, United Market, Scotty’s Market, Lucky’s Market, Bon Appetit, Fleet Feet and more.

Using only certified organic, whole food ingredients, JAMBARs are crafted in small batches in the company’s own state-of-the-art facility. Made of organic ancient grains, berries, nuts, premium chocolate, proteins from sunflowers and organic dairy, and real syrup, juices and honey as sweeteners, JAMBAR delivers a convenient, incredibly tasty bar you can take anywhere. All four flavors of JAMBAR  — Malt Nut Melody, Musical Mango, Chocolate Cha Cha and Jammin’ Jazzleberry — are also available online at JAMBAR.com and via Amazon Prime. 

For wholesale accounts, JAMBAR is distributed by leading natural and specialty foods distributors including UNFI, KeHE and Chex Distributing. For wholesale inquiries, contact jammin@jambar.com, tel 877-JAMBARZ.

JAMBAR Appoints National Sales Manager
In related news, JAMBAR recently appointed natural products industry sales veteran Darren Wagoner as national sales manager. Wagoner’s experience includes serving as national account manager and key account manager for such leading brands as Activate Drinks, Purity Organic, High Brew and CB Gourmet Foods. The appointment reflects the company’s focus on building sales in key natural products markets as it expands manufacturing and distribution. 

Visit JAMBAR at Natural Products Expo West, Booth N2140
Visit JAMBAR at Natural Products Expo West, the world’s largest natural and organic products trade exhibition, March 13-15, 2024, Booth N2140 in the North Hall’s Hot Products Pavilion at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. In addition, JAMBAR will be sampling its products at all Erewhon Southern California locations the week before Expo West.

About JAMBAR
In 2021, Jennifer Maxwell founded JAMBAR with the goal of helping people feel good about the ingredients they put in their bodies, and about the positive impact they can have on their local communities. A mission-based brand, JAMBAR donates 50% of after-tax profits to organizations that support music and active living. Runner’s World named JAMBAR the Best Protein Bar for runners in 2022 and also recognized JAMBAR with its 2023 Fitness Nutrition Award. Learn more at www.jambar.com and follow JAMBAR on Facebook and Instagram.

Media Contacts
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel: 303.807.1042
Debbie Pfeifer, JAMBAR, debbie@jambar.com, tel: 206.669.3580

JAMBAR Signs Running Power Couple Joe & Sage Hurta-Klecker

Kleckers Call Organic Energy Bar Created by PowerBar Founder a ‘Training Tool’

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (Oct. 10, 2023) – Organic energy bar maker JAMBAR announced today that it has signed a sponsorship deal with runners Joe Klecker and Sage Hurta-Klecker. The married couple ran track together at CU Boulder and now are teammates and pro runners for On Athletics Club. As new members of Team JAMBAR, the Kleckers join athletes including Olympic gold medalist Jonny Moseley, Stroller Mile world record holder Neely Spence Gracey, pro cyclist and Gravel Hall of Famer Ali Tetrick and pro freestyle skier Ryan McElmon.

The son of an Olympian and a record-breaking ultramarathoner, Klecker and his five siblings grew up as competitive runners. He advanced to the 10,000-meter finals at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and in 2022 won the US Championships at that distance. Klecker is currently preparing for the indoor track season and has his sights on the Olympic Team trials in June. His favorite JAMBAR flavor is Chocolate Cha Cha, and he uses the bars to keep his energy up between training sessions. 

Joe and Sage Hurta-Klecker

"Coming from a running family myself, I really connect with the history and authenticity that Jennifer brings to JAMBAR,” said Klecker. “You can tell this was a product created by an athlete -- it's digestible, has a great nutritional profile, but doesn't sacrifice taste.”

Hurta-Klecker was also born into a family of runners. A four-time All-American NCAA Champion in cross-country, she won the indoor NCAA Mile in 2021. Her current focus is to build momentum going into 2024, with a goal of qualifying for the US Olympic Team. When it comes to JAMBARs, Hurta-Klecker’s favorite flavor is Malt Nut Melody. Her nutritional philosophy focuses on adequate fueling and quality ingredients. “It’s invaluable to have a high-quality energy bar on hand to keep me fueled for training and competition,” she said. 

"I spend a lot of time traveling to races around the world and love that JAMBARs are so easy to pack — they don't melt or crumble. These bars have become an important part of my training routine both at home and on the road,” Hurta-Klecker continued.

“Joe and Sage both had incredible collegiate careers. It’s been really exciting to watch them now competing at international events, and we are thrilled to help fuel their journey to the Olympic trials,” said Jennifer Maxwell, creator and CEO of JAMBAR and co-founder of the original PowerBar. 

Each certified organic JAMBAR packs 10 grams of protein, natural sweeteners and premium ingredients. JAMBARs include vegan and gluten-free options and come in four flavors: Malt Nut Melody, Chocolate Cha Cha, Musical Mango and Jammin’ Jazzleberry. The name is inspired by Maxwell's passion for music, and the bars are crafted in a dedicated, state-of-the-art production facility in San Rafael, California.  

About JAMBAR
In late 2021, Jennifer Maxwell founded JAMBAR with the goal of helping people feel good about the ingredients they put in their bodies, and about the positive impact they can have on their local communities. Made from only premium organic ingredients, the bars feature ancient grains, authentic natural sweeteners and high-quality proteins. The company donates 50% of after-tax profits to organizations that support the transformative pursuits of music and sports. Runner’s World named JAMBAR the Best Protein Bar for runners in 2022 and also gave JAMBAR a 2023 Fitness Nutrition Award. JAMBAR is the official energy bar of the Collegiate Running Association and is proud to sponsor hundreds of races and events. JAMBARs are available at jambar.com, on Amazon.com and at select grocery, running and sports specialty stores. Learn more at www.jambar.com and follow JAMBAR on Facebook and Instagram. 

Media Contacts
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel: 303.807.1042
Debbie Pfeifer, JAMBAR, debbie@jambar.com, tel: 206.669.3580

JAMBAR Inks Sponsorship Deal With Neely Spence Gracey, Stroller Mile World Record Holder and 4x Olympic Trials Qualifier

Organic Energy Bar Created by PowerBar Founder Helps Fuel Gracey’s Active Lifestyle

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (July 18, 2023) – Organic energy bar maker JAMBAR announced today that it has signed distance runner and four-time Olympic Trials qualifier Neely Spence Gracey as a sponsored athlete. Three weeks ago, Gracey shattered the Stroller Mile World Record by more than 30 seconds, coming in at 5 minutes, 24 seconds while pushing her 2-year-old son. On Team JAMBAR, Gracey joins athletes including Olympic Gold Medalist Jonny Moseley, pro cyclist and Gravel Hall of Famer Ali Tetrick and pro freestyle skier Ryan McElmon.

“JAMBAR was created by someone like me – a lifelong runner and a mom,” said Gracey. “It’s my go-to energy bar, and since JAMBAR has only clean ingredients, I can also feel good about giving them to my kids.”

Neely Spence Gracey

Gracey is currently training for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in the marathon, which will be held in February 2024. She has represented Team USA five times, including at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships and at the Pan American Games. In college, she was an eight-time NCAA DII National Champion. In 2016, she was the top American woman at the Boston Marathon. Gracey serves as head of running for Guava Family, the stroller brand she used to set the stroller mile world record.

She is the founder of Get Running Coaching and is celebrating 10 years as a coach for her business. She recently co-authored Breakthrough Women’s Running: Dream Big and Train Smart.

“Neely is an inspiring example of how motherhood and elite athletic performance aren’t mutually exclusive,” said Jennifer Maxwell, creator and CEO of JAMBAR and co-founder of the original PowerBar. “We’re so excited to be working with her and cheering her on as she trains for the Olympic Trials.”

Gracey said she was drawn to JAMBAR due to its commitment to organic nutrition and the fact that the company gives back. JAMBAR donates 50% of after-tax profits to organizations that support active living and music. The name is inspired by Maxwell's passion for music, and the bars are crafted in a dedicated, state-of-the-art production facility in San Rafael, California. Each certified organic JAMBAR packs 10 grams of protein, natural sweeteners and premium ingredients. JAMBARs include vegan and gluten-free options and come in four flavors: Malt Nut Melody, Chocolate Cha Cha, Musical Mango and Jammin’ Jazzleberry. “My favorite JAMBAR flavor? It’s chocolate,” said Gracey. “But my kids are all about the peanut butter taste of Malt Nut.”

About JAMBAR
In late 2021, Jennifer Maxwell founded JAMBAR with the goal of helping people feel good about the ingredients they put in their bodies, and about the positive impact they can have on their local communities. Made from only premium organic ingredients, the bars feature ancient grains, authentic natural sweeteners and high-quality proteins.The company donates 50% of after-tax profits to organizations that support the transformative pursuits of music and sports. Runner’s World named JAMBAR the Best Protein Bar for runners in 2022 and also gave JAMBAR a 2023 Fitness Nutrition Award. JAMBAR is the official energy bar of the Collegiate Running Association and is proud to sponsor hundreds of races and events. JAMBARs are available at jambar.com, on Amazon.com and at select grocery, running and sports specialty stores. Learn more at www.jambar.com and follow JAMBAR on Facebook and Instagram. 

Media Contacts
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel: 303.807.1042
Debbie Pfeifer, JAMBAR, debbie@jambar.com, tel: 206.669.3580

Founding an Industry: Q&A With Energy Bar Entrepreneur Jennifer Maxwell

In the mid-1980s, Jennifer Biddulph was a nutrition and science major and track athlete at the University of California, Berkeley. Her boyfriend, Brian Maxwell, who had been a track star at UC Berkeley a decade earlier, was an Olympic marathon runner.

Like many marathoners at that time, Maxwell was concerned about what to eat to avoid running out of carbohydrate fuel and “hitting the wall” during a race. He and Biddulph began experimenting with recipes that included amino acids, complex and simple carbs, and other nutrients that could not only help high-level athletes perform, but also get what Biddulph called “that extra 1% advantage.”

In 1986, Maxwell and Biddulph debuted PowerBar®—the world’s first energy bar. In the ensuing years, the duo grew their company into a nine-figure business, married and had a family, and eventually sold PowerBar to Nestle in 2000.

JAMBAR founder and CEO Jennifer Maxwell

But in 2004, tragedy struck. Brian, who had been diagnosed with a congenital heart condition as a teenager, died of a heart attack at age 51—leaving behind Jennifer and six children under the age of 15. Devastated, Jennifer turned to music as a healing force. She took up the drums and today plays in two bands. She also started running again, and in 2021, combined all of her passions into a new energy-bar company, JAMBAR®.

All of JAMBAR’s four flavors are certified organic and whole-food based, and Jennifer Maxwell donates 50% of the company’s profits to community, education, music and outdoor activities. She also funds a sustainability program and entrepreneurship scholarship at the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business.

Recently, Maxwell joined industry veterans Bill Capsalis and Steven Hoffman for their podcast Compass Coffee Talk. Read on to learn more about the genesis and evolution of PowerBar and JAMBAR, along with Maxwell’s thoughts on philanthropy, sustainability and the future of the natural products industry.

Q: You literally created the energy bar industry and an entire food category out of scratch. What was it like back in PowerBar’s early days?
We started in our little apartment from nothing, really from nothing. And we grew not just a great product that was innovative at the time, but also a company that was innovative, as well.

We had an employee stock-ownership program, so all of our employees owned the company. We also divvied up the profits among all of the employees, from the warehouse people to top management. And I think that was one of the things that led to our success—people really believed in what we were doing, and they were essentially working for themselves.

Q: How did you actually get PowerBars out there and into stores?
We started as a mail-order business; of course, there was no Amazon at the time. We figured the bar would sell itself, so we'd go to events and give out a lot of product, and also put flyers on windshields of cars at races. There would be a little coupon you could tear off and you'd send it in the mail and get your three dozen bars for $39.

I was still a student at Berkeley, so on breaks from classes, I’d go to the post office, get the orders in the mail, go back to our apartment and fulfill the orders and put them out on the porch for UPS to come pick them up. And all of a sudden, we'd have 20, 30, 40 boxes a day going out of our little apartment.

After we moved on from being a mail-order business, our main market was bike shops. We went down to the local bike shop, walked in, showed them the product. People were so receptive to our bars that we were able to do our own brokering. We'd have stores calling us to place an order.

Q: By the '90s, things were rocking and you ended up selling PowerBar. And then you had some life events occur, unfortunately. You took a break to take care of the family and play music. What led you to get back into the industry with JAMBAR?
JAMBAR came about as part of a conversation I was having with my daughter around the kitchen table. She said, "Mom, I know you like energy bars, and there's nothing out there that you want to eat for one reason or the other." And I said, "You're right. I'm a food scientist, so why don't I get back into the game and spend some of my knowledge and experience creating something that is great?"

It took me about four years of putting ingredients together to come up with a product I liked. My big thing is I wanted it to be organic, because I believe in preserving our earth and helping people avoid pesticides and eating the best that they can. That limits ingredients a little, because you have to have mass quantities of organic ingredients available.

And then I wanted to use all real food. I didn't want to use ingredients that I didn't know where they came from, that were somehow changed in a lab or created with mechanisms that I didn't really want to put in my body. I wanted ingredients that are close to nature and that taste great.

And, of course, there are a lot of ingredient options that we didn't have in the '80s, whether it's different grains, proteins, fruits, chocolate, and different ways of holding the product together. That’s a plus because one of the most important things I wanted to include in my portfolio of flavors is a lot of variety.

Each of the four JAMBAR flavors—Chocolate Cha Cha, Malt Nut Melody, Jammin’ Jazzleberry and Musical Mango—is very different from the other. Where other products on the market might take a base formulation and just add a little of this, a little of that and call it a new flavor, I didn't want to do that. So it made my formulation job very challenging—working with an array of very different percentages of all of these different ingredients, but keeping each bar similar enough that it's treated the same in the factory.

We have our own state-of-the-art manufacturing facility—which, interestingly, was once a Grateful Dead recording studio—so that gives us the ability to call our own shots. We can do a run of one flavor and then reset for the next run of a different flavor. We can say, “OK, it's Mango Bar Day.” We cut our own mango, and because it’s the second ingredient on the label, we have a lot of mango in there.

Q: What are some of the other major differences you see in the supply chain and business practices as you’ve come back into the industry with JAMBAR?
I think there’s always a lot to learn. I have a lot of experience and I have my own way of doing things, but I have to be able to adapt to a new way of doing things, which is full of technology. We came from an era of no technology to an era of everything's technology. So that's a pretty steep learning curve. Of course, I don't live in a tunnel or a cave, but in terms of really getting the most out of your resources, you have to be very savvy with your technology.

But the caveat to that is we have to be able to keep what makes us human. And that’s the challenge we are having today, in terms of really looking at what we want to accomplish. With JAMBAR, we want to accomplish supporting community, we want to accomplish manufacturing a great product full of real-food ingredients, and we want to accomplish having a type of work environment where people feel they can really make a difference and be a part of.

And the overall arching concept behind remembering what makes us human is communication. Sometimes, when you get a lot of technology involved, effective communication goes out the window. That's what I'm seeing with sales, in distribution and sometimes in marketing and brokering—communication can become very challenging, and you can lose a little bit of the essence of what you want to accomplish each day or each week or each month. That’s why I emphasize communication—it’s paramount to keeping the ball moving forward.

JAMBAR Poised to JAM Through the Summer by Sponsoring Array of Top Music Festivals and Events

Organic artisan energy bar company JAMBAR donates 50% of profits to organizations that support music and active living

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (May 24, 2023) – As part of its commitment to make the planet a better place through music, the organic artisan energy bar company JAMBAR is partnering with more than 30 live music festivals and events in northern California this summer, including Mill Valley Music Festival, BOTTLEROCK Napa Valley, The Fairfax Festival & Ecofest, Sound Summit and KC Turner Presents Cookout Series at HopMonk.

JAMBAR was launched in 2021 by Jennifer Maxwell, a musician, runner, nutritionist and mom. Jenny was also the co-founder of the original PowerBar. Maxwell’s mission with JAMBAR is to fuel healthy bodies and healthy communities. Not only are JAMBAR’s energy bars made with premium organic ingredients—including ancient grains, natural sweeteners and high-quality proteins—but the company also donates 50% of its profits to organizations that support music and active living.

“Bringing music into more people’s lives has always been a central part of JAMBAR,” said Maxwell, who, in addition to serving as CEO of JAMBAR, is a drummer in two Bay Area bands. “The lineup of talent coming to the Bay Area this summer is incredible, and we’re going to do our best to keep the energy high by fueling festivalgoers and musicians alike.”

JAMBAR hosted a booth offering samples of JAMBARs to hungry Mill Valley festivalgoers. JAMBARs were also placed in musician green rooms, providing performers with clean, organic energy. Festivalgoers who chose to travel by bike received a complimentary JAMBAR at the Marin County Bike Coalition’s parking area.

Following the Mill Valley festival, JAMBAR will journey to Napa Valley for the BOTTLEROCK festival of music, food, wine and brews on May 26-28. Billed as “the first taste of summer,” the festival boasts a powerhouse lineup of more than 70 performers, including the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Post Malone, Lizzo, Duran Duran, Lil Nas X and the Smashing Pumpkins. JAMBARs will be featured in BOTTLEROCK musician green rooms, culinary suites, VIP suites and staff rooms. JAMBAR athlete, Olympic gold medalist skier and music fan Jonny Moseley will be at BOTTLEROCK on Friday, May 26, introducing culinary guests as part of this growing partnership.

On May 29, JAMBAR will kick off the KC Turner Presents 10th Annual Cookout Concert Series at the HopMonk Tavern in Novato, California. This summer concert series features over 25 shows from late May through October. Headliners include crowd favorites Toad the Wet Sprocket, Cracker, Maria Muldaur, Anders Osborne, Bob Schneider, Brett Dennen, Shawn Mullins and G. Love. Every concert attendee will receive a free JAMBAR as they exit each show. Perfect fuel after a long night of dancing! This is the second year for JAMBAR as the headline sponsor.

“KC Turner Presents and HopMonk are thrilled to be teaming up again with JAMBAR. Their support and love of live music make this a win-win sponsorship! We can't wait to Get Our Jam On at this year's Cookout Concert Series!” said founder KC Turner.

On June 10-11, JAMBAR will be an official partner at The Fairfax Festival & Ecofest in Fairfax, California. This funky, eclectic celebration of music and the arts features musicians, a parade, artist and artisan booths, a flea market and a family film night. JAMBAR will welcome festival attendees who ride their bikes with complimentary JAMBARs at the JAMBAR Parking Area with the Marin County Bike Coalition.

JAMBAR will close out the summer concert season with a booth and sampling at Sound Summit 2023 on September 9. This is the second year that JAMBAR will partner with this outdoor concert on Mount Tamalpais, which raises funds for the Mount Tamalpais State Park in Marin County, a popular hiking, running and biking destination. The lineup for this festival includes artists such as Lord Huron, Sierra Ferrell, Kevin Morby, Brokedown in Bakersfield and Vinyl.

About JAMBAR
In late 2021, Jennifer Maxwell founded JAMBAR with the goal of helping people feel good about the ingredients they put in their bodies, and the positive impact they can have on their local communities. Made from only premium organic ingredients, JAMBARs feature ancient grains, authentic sweeteners from nature and high-quality proteins. The company donates 50% of after-tax profits to organizations that support the transformative pursuits of music and sports. JAMBARs are available at JAMBAR.com, on Amazon.com and also at leading grocery stores, including Mollie Stone’s Markets, Earth Fare, Good Earth, Nugget Markets, United Markets, Berkeley Bowl, select Safeway stores and more. Learn more at www.jambar.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. 

Media Contacts
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel: 303.807.1042
Debbie Pfeifer, JAMBAR, debbie@jambar.com, tel: 206.669.3580

Collegiate Running Association and JAMBAR Announce Partnership

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (May 17, 2023) – The Collegiate Running Association (CRA) and JAMBAR are excited to announce their partnership, with JAMBAR becoming the official energy bar of the association. JAMBAR is an organic energy bar crafted with high-quality protein and fiber, and naturally sweetened for a healthier alternative to traditional energy bars.

Jennifer Maxwell, the founder and CEO of JAMBAR, has been a pioneer in the energy bar industry since 1987, when she founded PowerBar with her husband, Brian Maxwell. After Brian’s death in 2004, Maxwell took time to heal and raise her six children before crafting JAMBAR for a new generation of fitness enthusiasts.

JAMBAR is more than just an energy bar – it promotes community and healthy organic nutrition, with a purpose that goes beyond fueling optimum performance. The company donates 50% of after-tax profits to organizations that support active living and music. The name is inspired by Maxwell’s passion for music, and the bars are crafted in a dedicated, state-of-the-art production facility in San Rafael, California. Certified organic JAMBARs include vegan and gluten-free options and come in four flavors: Malt Nut Melody, Chocolate Cha Cha, Musical Mango and Jammin’ Jazzleberry.

Both Jennifer and Brian Maxwell were competitive collegiate runners, Brian was an Olympic marathoner, and all of their six children are also runners. “As a lifelong runner, I wanted to create a great-tasting, highly digestible bar with a texture and nutritional profile that is perfect for training, as well as pre- and post-race,” said Maxwell. “The CRA is a natural match for JAMBAR and we are honored to fuel the next generation of runners with them.”

The CRA is thrilled to partner with JAMBAR, providing their athletes with a premium energy bar option that aligns with the association’s values of promoting a healthy lifestyle and community engagement. The partnership will include JAMBAR’s participation in CRA events and promotions, as well as exclusive offers for CRA members.

“We are excited to partner with JAMBAR and provide our athletes with a high-quality, organic energy bar option that is not only delicious but aligns with our values as an organization,” said Steve Taylor, president and co-founder of the Collegiate Running Association. “Jennifer Maxwell’s dedication to promoting healthy nutrition and community engagement is inspiring, and we look forward to working with JAMBAR to further promote these values within the running community.”

About the Collegiate Running Association
The Collegiate Running Association (CRA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting healthy living and active lifestyles among college students through distance running. It organizes national championship events in road, mountain, trail and snowshoe running and hosts a diverse range of races and events throughout the year. Notably, the CRA is the first and currently the only running organization that offers prize money races exclusively for college athletes. It was established in 2013. Visit them at www.CollegiateRunning.org.

About JAMBAR
In late 2021, Jennifer Maxwell founded JAMBAR with the goal of helping people feel good about the ingredients they put in their bodies, and the positive impact they can have on their local communities. Made from only premium organic ingredients, JAMBARs feature ancient grains, authentic natural sweeteners and high-quality proteins. Runner’s World named JAMBAR as the Best Protein Bar for runners in 2022 and also gave JAMBAR a 2023 Fitness Nutrition Award. JAMBARs are available at jambar.com, on Amazon.com and at select grocery, running and sports specialty stores. Learn more at www.jambar.com.

For more information about the partnership or to schedule an interview, please contact:

Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural: steve@compassnatural.com, (303) 807-1042
Debbie Pfeifer, JAMBAR: debbie@jambar.com, (206) 669-3580
Steve Taylor, Collegiate Running Association: steve.taylor@collegiaterunning.org, (804) 349-3367 

JAMBAR Partners With UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business MBA Program to Create a Long-Term Sustainability Plan

JAMBAR, the organic artisan energy bar that donates 50% of profits to communities, furthers its commitment to minimizing environmental impact 

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (April 18, 2023) – Organic energy bar maker JAMBAR® today announced it is working with The Walter A. Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley (Berkeley Haas), to create an actionable, long-term sustainability plan. JAMBAR was selected by the Berkeley Haas Center for Responsible Business as a semester-long consulting project for a team of MBA students.

“I created JAMBAR with the goal of helping people feel good about what they eat, as well as the impact they can have on their local community, which includes being as Earth-friendly a company as possible,” said Jennifer Maxwell, founder and CEO of JAMBAR. “We’ve been hugely impressed by the innovation, professionalism and creativity our Haas MBA team brings and feel confident their work will result in a top-tier sustainability roadmap for us to follow.”

The Haas MBA team began its work by conducting an analysis of sustainability initiatives and best practices in the energy bar category. At the end of the partnership, the Haas students will present a comprehensive strategic plan with recommendations to help JAMBAR do business in environmentally responsible ways.

“It’s clear that since its inception, JAMBAR has kept sustainability top-of-mind when it comes to business practices, including sourcing, processing and shipping,” said Matt Rittenhouse, a project team member who will graduate from Berkeley Haas with an MBA in 2023. “Our objective is to provide recommendations and create a long-term plan with goals and success metrics, and to help JAMBAR communicate its initiatives to consumers and partners.”

This partnership marks the continuation of a long relationship between JAMBAR’s founder, Jennifer Maxwell, and UC Berkeley. Jennifer and her late husband, Brian, both ran track at Cal and together in 1985 created PowerBar®, the original energy bar. For many years, PowerBar’s headquarters were in downtown Berkeley, overlooking the Cal campus. After Brian’s death, Jennifer created the Brian Maxwell Fellows program at Berkeley Haas with the goal of helping entrepreneurs “to create opportunities, to innovate and bring real value and change to the world.” 

About JAMBAR
In late 2021, Jennifer Maxwell founded JAMBAR with the goal of helping people feel good about the ingredients they put in their bodies and the positive impact they can have on their local communities. Made from only premium organic ingredients, JAMBARs feature ancient grains, authentic sweeteners from nature and high-quality proteins. The company donates 50% of after-tax profits to organizations that support the transformative pursuits of music and sports. JAMBARs are available at JAMBAR.com, on Amazon.com and also at leading grocery stores, including Mollie Stone’s Markets, Earth Fare, Good Earth, Nugget Markets, United Markets, Berkeley Bowl, select Safeway stores and more. Learn more at www.jambar.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. 

Media Contacts
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel 303.807.1042
Debbie Pfeifer, JAMBAR, debbie@jambar.com, tel 206.669.3580

JAMBAR® Takes Off: Artisan-Crafted Organic Energy Bar Created by Jennifer Maxwell, Inventor of the Original PowerBar®, Expands in Natural, Organic and Specialty Retail Stores

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JAMBARs are now available in four San Francisco International Airport retail locations and a growing number of natural and specialty food stores and grocers. Visit JAMBAR® at Natural Products Expo West, Booth #151 in the Arena, Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California, March 9-11, 2023

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (February 21, 2023) — JAMBAR® – the artisan-crafted, certified organic energy bar created by Jennifer Maxwell, inventor of the original PowerBar® – is taking off. The whole food bar, available in four flavors and with 10g of protein per bar, is now available in four retail locations in the San Francisco International Airport and in a growing number of leading natural, organic and specialty retail stores across the country. 

MIssion-based, the brand is committed to donating 50% of profits to philanthropic causes supporting sports and fitness, music, community and active living. Today, JAMBAR sponsors more than 200 sports and music events throughout the year. In January 2023, Bicycling and Runner’s World magazines both named JAMBAR as a 2023 Fitness Nutrition Award Winner.

In addition, the brand is getting ready to exhibit for the first time at Natural Products Expo West, the world’s largest natural and organic products trade show, held each year at the Anaheim Convention Center (ACC) in Anaheim, California. Buyers from the world over attend this highly anticipated industry event. There, the JAMBAR team will share samples of its organic energy bars and interact with wholesale buyers and industry professionals in exhibit booth #151 in the ACC Arena, March 9-11, 2023.

Growing Retail Presence From East to West
In just two years since the company launched, JAMBARs are now available in such leading retail locations as Berkeley Bowl in Berkeley, California; 16 of 21 Earth Fare locations in the southeastern U.S.; all four Jimbo’s stores in San Diego; Good Earth Natural Foods in Fairfax and Mill Valley, California; all Mollie Stone’s locations in the San Francisco Bay Area; select Safeway stores in Northern California; Nugget Markets, Scotty’s Market, United Markets and Woodland Market in the Bay Area; and more. 

"We first spoke with JAMBAR because they were a local company but soon discovered they are so much more! Besides creating a delicious, all-organic snack bar, they also donate 50% of their profits to support music programs and activities. They truly stand for health and taking care of people. A mission and a product that resonates with our customers as well as all of us at United Markets!" said Kelly Smith, president of United Markets.

For travelers in the San Francisco International Airport, JAMBARs – the perfect organic whole food energy bar for people on the go – are available in two Klein’s Deli locations and two Napa Farms locations.

“We are excited and motivated by such a positive response from natural, organic and specialty grocers across the country. They help support and expand our philanthropic mission,” said JAMBAR founder and CEO Jennifer Maxwell. “Also, I believe health-conscious consumers will embrace JAMBAR’s commitment to flavor, nutrition and sourcing the highest-quality organic ingredients in crafting JAMBARs. We offer premium, healthful, on-the-go nutrition at a reasonable price."

Small-Batch Crafted in the U.S.A. in JAMBAR’s Own Production Facility
With its own manufacturing facilities in San Rafael, California, JAMBAR is an independent, woman-owned business founded in 2021 by lifelong athlete, musician and food science and nutrition expert Jennifer Maxwell.  

Natural products industry veterans and energy bar aficionados may remember Jennifer, who, along with her late husband, Brian, created the original PowerBar®, which, when it was introduced in 1985, effectively launched the entire energy bar category.

Today, inspired by organic food and agriculture and a desire to give back to and support healthy communities and the environment, Maxwell developed certified organic JAMBARs in four delicious whole food flavors that provide a good source of protein, nutrients and fiber. Using organic ancient grains, berries, nuts, premium chocolate, proteins from sunflowers and organic dairy, and real syrup, juices and honey as sweeteners, JAMBAR delivers a convenient, incredibly tasty bar you can take anywhere.

JAMBAR Is Available in These Musical Organic Flavors:

Chocolate Cha Cha — A blend of premium Guittard chocolate, real food ingredients and ancient grains. Fair trade certified, non-GMO and gluten free with 10g of protein per serving. 

Malt Nut Melody — Peanut and maple malted magic with a touch of sesame and vanilla for an amazing medley of flavors, Malt Nut Medley is non-GMO, with 10g of protein per serving.

Jammin’ Jazzleberry — Vegan and gluten free, a jazzy combo of organic strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries, with 10g of plant-based protein per serving.

Musical Mango — Energy goes exotic with delicious mango and ancient whole grains. The Musical Mango bar is vegan, gluten free and contains 10g of plant-based protein per serving.

JAMBARs are available online at JAMBAR.com, on Amazon.com and also at leading natural food and specialty stores. For wholesale inquiries, contact jammin@jambar.com, tel 877-JAMBARZ. For more information, visit www.JAMBAR.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Visit JAMBAR at Natural Products Expo West, the world’s largest natural and organic products trade exhibition, Booth #151 in the Arena at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, March 9-11, 2023.

Media Contacts
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel 303.807.1042
Debbie Pfeifer, JAMBAR, pfeiferworks@gmail.com

Compass Coffee Talk™ Gets Its JAM On: Podcast to Feature Jennifer Maxwell, Creator of the Original PowerBar® & Founder of the New, Artisan Organic Energy Bar, JAMBAR®

Compass Coffee Talk™, a popular live webinar series featuring conversations with top business leaders in the natural, organic and sustainable products industry, welcomes Jennifer Maxwell, Co-Founder of the original PowerBar® and Founder and CEO of the new Certified Organic, Artisan Energy Bar Brand, JAMBAR®.

What: Compass Coffee Talk™
When: Wednesday, April 5, 2023, 8:30 am PT; 9:30 am MT; 10:30 am CT; 11:30 am ET
Presented by: Compass Natural, Connecting Media and Markets in Natural and Organic Products
Sponsored by: Presence Marketing, Naturally Boulder, Naturally New York and Naturally San Diego
Register: Register for Free Here

BOULDER, CO (February 17, 2023) — How do you top being the person who created the entire energy bar category? By taking that category to the next level. Jennifer Maxwell, inventor of the original PowerBar and founder and CEO of JAMBAR, is doing just that. 

Maxwell will appear on April 5, 2023, on the popular Compass Coffee Talk™podcast, which features lively conversations with natural products industry leaders, innovators and experts designed to help guide entrepreneurs and businesses to succeed in the market.

Jennifer Maxwell, founder and CEO of JAMBAR®

Jennifer, along with her late husband Brian Maxwell, literally invented the entire energy bar category in the mid-1980s. Today, the energy bar category, valued at nearly $5 billion globally, is one of the most vibrant product sections in any retail food store.

Jennifer launched JAMBAR using her food and nutrition science skills first learned at the University of California, Berkeley, to create a line of artisan energy bars with certified organic, whole food ingredients, high-quality protein and fiber. 

Considered the “next generation” of energy bars, JAMBARs boast one of the cleanest labels in the category. In addition, Maxwell’s commitment to philanthropy is at the forefront of the brand’s mission – JAMBAR donates 50% of all after-tax profits to support music, active living and community connections in Marin County, California, where the company is based, and around the country.

Hosted by natural and organic products industry veterans Bill Capsalis and Steven Hoffman, Compass Coffee Talk is produced by Compass Natural Marketing, a leading public relations, branding, and business development agency serving the natural, organic, eco-friendly and hemp products industries. Capsalis and Hoffman will interview Maxwell to learn more about her comeback story.

A Legacy of Athletics, Entrepreneurship … and Music
A lifelong long-distance runner, Maxwell studied food science, nutrition and exercise physiology at U.C. Berkeley, where she met her husband, Brian. After developing the original PowerBar energy bar recipe in their kitchen, they began building the business from a small apartment, growing the company to more than $150 million in annual sales before selling the company in 2000. When Brian passed away unexpectedly in 2004, Jennifer focused on raising her six children and, over the years, discovered the healing power of music. Today, in her free time, she performs regularly as a drummer in bands in the San Francisco Bay Area.

“We’re thrilled to host Jennifer Maxwell on Compass Coffee Talk,” said Steven Hoffman, Managing Director of Compass Natural and co-host of Compass Coffee Talk. “As musicians in our spare time ourselves, Bill Capsalis and I appreciate JAMBAR’s mission and Jennifer’s passion for supporting music and active living. Jennifer invented the energy bar category and we look forward to hearing her perspective on this growing food segment, her comeback in the natural foods industry, and her continued entrepreneurship.”

Register for Compass Coffee Talk with Jennifer Maxwell
Register here for free to participate in the upcoming Compass Coffee Talk, Wednesday, April 5, 2023, 11:30 am – Noon ET.

About Compass Coffee Talk
Take a 30-minute virtual coffee break with Compass Coffee Talk™. Hosted by natural industry veterans Bill Capsalis and Steve Hoffman, Coffee Talk features lively interactive conversations with industry leaders and experts designed to help guide entrepreneurs and businesses of any size succeed in the market for natural, organic, regenerative, hemp-derived and other eco-friendly products.

Compass Coffee Talk™ is produced by Compass Natural Marketing, a leading PR, branding and business development agency serving the natural and organic products industry.

Previous Episodes of Compass Coffee Talk
View the entire library of Compass Coffee Talk episodes on YouTube. Co-hosted by natural products industry veterans Steven Hoffman and Bill Capsalis, Compass Coffee Talk has featured notable professionals such as Jared Polis, Governor of Colorado; Steve Hughes, co-founder of Sunrise Strategic Partners; John Mackey, CEO and Co-Founder, Whole Foods Market; Miyoko Schinner, CEO and Founder, Miyoko’s Kitchen; John Foraker, CEO of Once Upon a Farm; Emerald-Jane Hunter, Founder of the MyWhy Agency; Heather Terry, CEO of GoodSAM; Milton Zimmerman, Executive Vice President, Presence Marketing; and more.

Contact
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnaturalmarketing.com