Kate Flynn is a badass.

An accountant with an MBA from a little place called Harvard (shoutout to Cambridge, MA, airfare HQ!), she won PepsiCo’s WomenMade Challenge in 2020.

On top of all of that, she—along with hubby Bryan—started one of our absolute favorite snack companies: Sun & Swell. Their family’s hard work yielded a true #actuallyhealthy snack company with a focus on clean, delicious products and sustainable packaging.

The story behind the company is as great as the brand itself.

The origin story

Before they started living the snack life, Kate spent her time as a consultant, Bryan a technology salesmen, living together in San Francisco and doing well by common measures. But something was off. And Kate noticed it when she changed her diet.

“Leading up to [starting Sun & Swell], I had switched to a more natural, holistic lifestyle, including eating only whole foods,” Kate said. “I realized that eating a whole food diet made me feel better, both physically and mentally. When I looked around for packaged foods to accommodate this new eating method, there weren’t any options available.”

Realizing that most packaged foods were made with artificial ingredients and loaded with added sugars, preservatives and flavors, Kate had the spark of an idea, and Sun & Swell Foods was born.

As the sweet, supportive husband, Bryan supported Kate leaving her job, even with a baby on the way. 🎶 What a man, what a man, what a mighty good man 🎶 Kate took the leap in 2017, moved back to Santa Barbara, and Bryan followed.

After getting started selling their new products at farmer’s markets and online in 2018, Kate noticed another problem: plastic packaging. Her new pursuit was, in Kate’s words, solving one problem but contributing to another, which simply didn’t fit into her and Bryan’s value system.

“From the beginning, we always knew we wanted the company to be about more than just food,” Kate said. “We believe that we have a responsibility to create a business that takes action to be better for both people and the planet.”

Resolving to make real change, Kate and Bryan dove into compostable packaging and emerged with a whole-earth brand. Sun & Swell became the first food company in the United States to offer a wide array of healthy foods in 100% compostable, plastic-free packaging. Quite an accomplishment.

Over the past few years, Sun & Swell has continued to grow and do good for consumers and planet-dwellers alike. A certified B-Corp and members of 1% for the Planet donating 1 percent of revenue to environmental nonprofits, Kate said the company also gives to two local organizations doing amazing things for our planet—White Buffalo Land Trust, which focuses on regenerative farming. and the Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute. which rescues and rehabilitates ocean mammals.

We’re honored to be partnered with this admirable couple and company. And on top of the great on-the-go snacks you can find in your next airfare pouch, Sun & Swell has plenty of products for the pantry, like organic and sustainable beans, spices, nuts and dried fruit.

One planet, one pouch, one love.

The snacks

Santa Barbara Style Nuts & Seeds

This nut and seed mix is slightly roasted and lightly salted for the perfect, simple trail mix. It’s just salted and roasted organic pumpkin seeds, pistachios, and cashews, making it the perfect savory snack. Great option for any layover, afternoon lull, or nighttime hotel munchies.

Cacao Date & Cashew Bites

With subtle cinnamon and cacao flavors, this is Sun & Swell’s most classic bite flavor. Clean ingredients, nutrient dense, and tasty, these are full of deliciousness, and of course without any added sugars, preservatives, or flavors. Pop into a pouch, then pop into your mouth.