Pantry Files: Almighty Founder, Ben Lenart

Almighty packs a (dare we say it) mighty punch when it comes to a company doing good for people and the planet. Originating from our delightful Kiwi neighbours, there is a whole lot to love about Almighty and here at the Wholesome HQ we’d have Almighty on tap if we could!

In this edition of Pantry Files, we chat with Almighty’s founder, Ben, about what makes Almighty different from the rest, their sustainability journey and what you might eat if Ben were to invite you for a dinner party.

Can you tell us the story behind Almighty? Where did the idea for Almighty come from? 

Some friends and I owned a little cold-pressed juice shop in Wellington but wanted to do something with a little more scale. We created Almighty to supply great hospitality venues and grocery stores with delicious but healthier alternatives to traditional sugary beverages. We also wanted to do it in a way that didn't trash the environment.

What is the philosophy behind Almighty? 

Conscious, clean, delicious drinks, made by nature for anyone with a thirst for life. The bottom line - beverages that make you feel good.

In the increasingly crowded beverage/RTD space, how do you stand apart? 

Flavour is the number one thing for us - we strive to create the best tasting drinks we can. Beyond that, we care about our community and the environment we operate in. We love to partner with optimistic and creative people who are doing interesting things in music, arts, running, weird niche hobbies and generally making the most of life.

Has anything about your journey so far surprised you? 

There are surprises every week to be honest, from supply chain issues to amazing customer stories to sales wins and painful mistakes. That seems to be the nature of selling drinks and FMCG - they call it fast moving for a reason I suppose.

What gets you out of bed in the morning and motivates you to do what you do every day? 

I would prefer to stay in bed to be honest but I do have two young sons and they get me out of bed every morning…I do really enjoy what I do, it is super diverse and challenging and it is filled with heaps of interesting people every day. 

How do you foster wellbeing and community in your workplace? 

I am lucky to have a team of open minded, collaborative, creative and hardworking great people. It is a super autonomous work environment, and we mostly avoid crazy work hours. Having a team that works really well means I don't really have to foster it. Mutual respect, a healthy sense of humour, encouraging active lifestyles and knowing that we're just selling drinks makes for a nice culture, I think.

Can you tell us a bit about the Edible Education programs you support? And will it be coming to the Aussie side of Down Under any time soon? 

We contribute money to edible education programs that teach kids where food comes from and how to grow and cook healthy yum food they actually want to eat. We do it because it is something we care about and believe will contribute positively to future generations. It is also super fun to get in the kitchen and garden with kids on a regular basis! We are working on implementing it more widely in Australia soon, watch this space..

Image: Ben Lenart and student participating in their Edible Education initiative

Almighty has recently become B Corp certified, congratulations! Why did you decide to pursue this certification?

As a company we have a responsibility to contribute positively to future generations and B Corp initiates an aspect of accountability. B Corp embodies some of the things that are really important to us and being a part of the program allows us to track our progress and highlight the progress and areas to improve as we grow.

What are you working on right now? What’s next for Almighty? 

We are focusing on making Almighty more widely available, especially in Australia. We are developing a few new flavours at the moment, any requests?!

What is your favourite snack for on the go? And if you had to pair it with an Almighty beverage which would it be? 

I have been eating cashews a fair bit lately but I do love a crisp apple as a snack. They travel pretty well and are surprisingly energizing. Pair it with an Almighty Active Blackcurrant and it makes for a productive hour or two.

What are your favourite brands or products in your pantry or fridge at the moment and why? 

Chotto Motto chilli oil - I put it with heaps of different things, eggs, with pasta, on pizza it is a banger! Whittakers Hazella chocolate - it's like crack. Al Brown's old yella habanero mustard - the ultimate mustard for smash burgers.

You are having a dinner party for six of your friends…what’s on the menu? 

I am about doing the least work and making it yum. So, Northern Oysters from Kaipara, New Zealand to start, Cumulus 8 hour lamb with some Ottolenghi salads and some kind of yoghurty yum condiment and a Tiramisu for dessert.

 

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