Our Story | Cleveland Kitchen®

From Farmers Markets to Everyday Tables

Cleveland Kitchen was born from a belief that gut health starts with real food—and that fermented foods should be fresh, flavorful, and part of everyday life. Founded by three Midwestern brothers—Drew and Mac Anderson, and their brother-in-law Luke Visnic—our roots run deep in farmers markets, built on real ingredients, respect for local growers and makers, and the hustle it takes to build something from the ground up.

What started as a shared passion for fermenting sauerkraut at home sparked a bigger idea: why wasn’t anyone bringing bold, crunchy, living fermented foods—rich in naturally occurring probiotics—to the refrigerated aisle? So we did.

Launched in 2014, Cleveland Kitchen began with kraut and quickly grew into a full portfolio of fresh fermented foods, including kimchi, pickles, and beyond. As we grew, so did our vision—redefining what fermentation could look and taste like in modern kitchens.

Today, Cleveland Kitchen is the trailblazer of fresh fermented foods, found in over 15,000 stores nationwide. We lead with flavor, powered by real fermentation, creating craveable foods that support gut health and elevate everyday meals.

Fresh Fermentation Is Our Superpower

At Cleveland Kitchen, fermentation isn’t just a process—it’s our passion. We start with fresh, high-quality vegetables and transform them through fermentation into foods that deliver both bold flavor and real function.

Our krauts and kimchi are naturally fermented using the lactic acid bacteria already found on raw cabbage. As fermentation begins, these beneficial bacteria feed on the cabbage’s natural sugars, producing lactic acid. This naturally lowers the pH, safely preserves the vegetables, and creates the tangy, craveable flavor you know as sauerkraut—while creating the ideal environment for probiotics to thrive. These living cultures help support gut health, digestion, and overall wellness.

But we don’t stop there. Our pickles, pickled vegetables, and coleslaws are lightly fermented using a proprietary process inside our one-of-a-kind facility—a living microbiome where all of our fresh fermented foods come to life. This unique environment allows us to deliver delicious, gut-happy goodness in every Cleveland Kitchen product.

Learn More

Sustainability and integrity have been part of Cleveland Kitchen from the very beginning. With roots in Midwest farmers markets and local food systems, respect for growers, fresh ingredients, and thoughtful sourcing has always guided how we make food.Today, that commitment shows up in the way we work—prioritizing responsibly sourced vegetables, supporting Midwest farmers whenever possible, and building long-term partnerships rooted in trust and transparency.