The Honest Kitchen

Who Makes It

The Honest Kitchen is a San Diego company that makes dog and cat food, treats and toppers, including Whole Food Clusters dry food, Wholemade dehydrated food and Proper Toppers. The company says it was the first human grade pet food and that its products are made in a human food facility. ^{1, 2, 3}

Where It Is Made

The Honest Kitchen opened its own 100,000 square foot plant near Topeka, Kansas, in 2021 and 2022 to make Whole Food Clusters dry food. In 2021 the company said the Kansas plant would operate alongside its existing West Coast manufacturing operation. ^{3, 4, 5}

History

Lucy Postins founded The Honest Kitchen in San Diego in 2002. In April 2022 the company announced a $150 million minority investment led by Monarch Alternative Capital, with existing investors Alliance Consumer Growth and White Road Investments staying on. Will Lisman became CEO in October 2023. ^{6, 5}

Worth Knowing

In February 2013 the company recalled five lots of Verve, Zeal and Thrive dehydrated dog food after FDA testing found Salmonella, which was traced to a parsley ingredient. The company said it had received no reports of illness. It also says it is a Certified B Corporation. ^{7, 5}

1. thehonestkitchen.com/a/press-kit
2. linkedin.com/company/the-honest-kitchen
3. wibw.com/2022/02/10/new-topeka-pet-food-plant-celebrates-opening
4. petage.com/the-honest-kitchen-expands-food-production-with-new-manufacturing-facility
5. newswire.com/news/the-honest-kitchen-rounds-out-their-executive-leadership-team-with-new-22141814
6. thehonestkitchen.com/blogs/press-releases/pioneer-in-human-grade-pet-food-the-honest-kitchen-raises-150-million-investment-in-latest-fundraise-round
7. dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-recalls/honest-kitchen-recalls-dog-food

Researched from the sources above. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.