Going Nuts in Williamsburg!

Back in the early 2000s, peanut butter choices were fairly limited — unlike the numerous options available today. But as the saying goes, if you want something done right, sometimes you have to do it yourself.

That was the approach of Tim and Katie Kearney, a husband and wife team that founded Naturally Nutty nut and seed butters in Williamsburg in 2007.

HIDDEN HEALTH

“The company was actually started by Katie,” Tim Kearney explained [Katie Kearney is out on maternity leave.] “She was experimenting in the kitchen, making nut butters on her own. She wanted to make a healthier version of peanut and almond butter, since at the time there were only a few organic versions.”

“Most had hydrogenated oils and trans fats, which is what she was trying to avoid,” he added.

Katie Kearney added spices to the ground nut butters, as well as what the Kearneys call “hidden nutrition boosts” like flax seed and chia seeds. “They’re ground right in with the mixture,” Kearney said, “so the butters are even better for you, but you don’t notice it.”

RETAIL RESPONSE

After Katie Kearney had been working with the nut butters on her own for several months, the Kearneys’ neighborhood had a block party, and one of the neighbors asked about her project.

“She brought out some samples, and the response was so great,” Kearney said. “So we started making batches and started Naturally Nutty as a small business, which is how it began. Then it grew into what we have today.”

Naturally Nutty started its retail foray in local stores first. “Tom’s, Oryana, and Oleson’s were three that carried us right away,” Kearney said. Interlochen Arts Academy was the company’s first major account.

“We started sending five-pound tubs of nut butter to them for their cafeteria, and we still do today,” Kearney said.

FOUR FAVORITES

The four flavors that launched the business — Honey-Roasted Cinnamon Peanut Butter, Butter Toffee Peanut Butter, Vanilla Peanut Butter, and Plain Natural Original Peanut Butter — are still hits at Naturally Nutty, but the company has expanded to offer 19 nut butters in all, which can be used in sandwiches, on oatmeal, or just as a healthy snack on celery or crackers.

“Early on, we were shipping out 5 to 10 cases a day,” Kearney said. “Now it’s between 100 and 150 per day.”

In a nutshell, the Keaneys had found their winning nut butter formula. Their best-seller today: the unusual, complex and savory Organic Pepita Sun Seed Butter, a mix of pepita (pumpkin) seeds, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, vanilla powder, sea salt, cinnamon, and allspice.

“There’s a lot going on in that jar!” Kearney said.

LOCAL LOVE

All of Naturally Nutty’s products are made in small batches, by hand, at its facility in Williamsburg, with approval ratings from the Food and Drug Administration and the Michigan Department of Agriculture.

“I think the reason our nut butters have been a hit is because we don’t cut any corners on ingredients, and we keep the focus on nutrition and flavor,” Kearney said. “It’s all about making good, quality, healthy products for people.”

For more information about Naturally Nutty or to order its products, visit naturallynutty.com or call 888-224-9988.

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