When Myles Powell, founder and CEO of Myles' Comfort Food, joined the Union Kitchen Accelerator in 2018, he was early in his journey as a food entrepreneur. At the time, he was producing a line of sauces and a gluten-free mac and cheese product that he sold at farmer's markets and a few local retailers. He had a clear passion for cooking and a growing interest in building a business—but like many founders at this stage, his product was still in search of its full market potential.
Union Kitchen's Accelerator team worked closely with Myles to understand where his passion overlapped with products that people want. Together, they made a strategic decision: evolve from a niche gluten-free mac and cheese to a full line of elevated frozen mac and cheese meals. The frozen entrée category represents a significantly larger and faster-growing market, with broad consumer appeal across convenience, indulgence, and comfort.
Myles embraced the shift. He rolled up his sleeves and got to work—not just in the conceptual stage, but on the production floor.
Over the next five years, Myles manufactured his products in Union Kitchen’s shared kitchen facility, learning firsthand how to run a food business. Owning his manufacturing gave him control over quality, pricing, and product iteration. He was able to test new flavors, collect real-time customer feedback, and refine his offering into a craveable lineup that includes Homestyle, Buffalo Chicken, and Philly Steak & Cheese.
Myles also leveraged the full power of the Union Kitchen Ecosystem. Through District Distribution, he established a strong local foundation and participated in targeted tastings with major retail buyers from Whole Foods, MOM’s Organic Market, and Giant. These early engagements gave him critical feedback and helped him build long-term relationships with retail partners.
Today, Myles Comfort Food is sold across multiple regions in Whole Foods Market, in the Mid-Atlantic with Giant Foods and MOM’s Organic Market, and in more than 200 Target stores in the Northeast. His distribution has expanded as well, with national reach through UNFI and KeHE.
His disciplined, customer-focused approach continues to resonate. In 2023, Food Processing Magazine named Myles Comfort Food a standout brand at Natural Products Expo East, where it was recognized for both product quality and market readiness.
To support this next phase of growth, Myles has raised over $1 million in capital from strategic investors including Whole Foods Market and the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC). These investments are helping him grow his team, increase production capacity, and continue expanding his reach.
Ready to supercharge your food brand to $1M+ in sales? Learn how Union Kitchen supports founders like Myles Comfort Food in achieving rapid, sustainable growth -- CONTACT US HERE
Comments