Daily Inspiration: Meet John Gengel

Today we’d like to introduce you to John Gengel.

John, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Pinemelon is a new-generation online grocer based in Denver, launched to market in April 2022. We partner with local producers and deliver the best products at fair prices. We want a healthy, sustainable food system, we should support local farming and independent producers. We partner with local producers and deliver the best products at fair prices.

The Denver-based team handles every aspect of the process, from product sourcing to home delivery. Pinemelon’s fulfillment center is located at 5915 Broadway in Denver, Colorado, and delivers to Denver metro and Boulder, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. MT seven days a week.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Pinemelon is a vertically-integrated startup. The very word “startup” says a lot! We are building a platform to strengthen local food systems. We believe that by developing specific delivery and eCommerce technologies, we can upend the grocery business and enable local food producers to focus on serving the local community without logistical barriers.

Having said that, every step of our process disrupts the status quo, as the food system belongs to a few large corporations that often operate with a bias toward benefitting shareholders and strive for infinite growth. Currently, we as a startup, are making our way to the market, direct-to-consumer, and that is our biggest challenge. We are very hopeful as we enjoy steady growth and raving reviews from our customers.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Music has been an integral part of my life from my earliest memories. I was classically trained on the trumpet beginning in the 3rd grade and went on to play in the marching band, jazz band, and the orchestral pit for school musicals. After teaching myself how to play acoustic guitar I went on to win several high school talent shows with various styles of musical groups I formed.

In the mid 19090’s a group of musicians and I formed a group called “Blend”. After securing a spec record deal in New York City with a studio called Baby Monster Records, we began touring up and down the eastern seaboard from Camden Maine to Key West Florida. After many years on the road, the band eventually dissolved and I moved to Boulder Colorado where I began my career in Natural and organic Groceries.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
While globalization has its pros and cons, recent global events showed us how fragile our global supply chains are. Food is no exception. Each of us wants to live in a strong, resilient, and thriving community, less dependent on global supply and with more evenly distributed wealth. According to the polls, 76 % of US consumers don’t trust the food system. US families are eager to find health-conscious and locally sourced food.

Today the only solution is the weekly farmers market, but consumers are hungry for more frequent and convenient options. At the same time, there are 2 M farms & ranches in the US, 95% of which are small and medium size. These farms and ranchers are eager to expand their local reach but don’t have the tools and infrastructure to do so. So we predict a post-pandemic next tectonic shift towards the “buy local” movement. We are building a platform to empower the 1 million small/medium US farmers with the direct-to-consumer platform.

Contact Info:

• Website: hello.pinemelon.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinemelon_market/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pinemelonmarket
• Twitter: @pinemelonmarket
• Youtube: @pinemelon_market
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/pinemelon-denver
• Other: pinemelon.com