about us
Our story began almost 30 years ago, with our co-founder Driando. He was born in a Javanese family and grew up on Java Island in Indonesia, eating tempeh every day throughout his childhood. As it was such a local staple, he took it for granted; thinking food as naturally nutritious and delicious as tempeh could be found all over the world.
It was only when he started studying food science at university that he recognised what a unique and extraordinary food tempeh was. Made of just three simple ingredients but packed with so many benefits and a rich flavour, there was nothing else like it. Travelling around Indonesia, he began to realise what a profound impact eating tempeh could have on malnourished communities.
This inspired him to do a PhD in tempeh fermentation and its positive impact on human health. And to set up a charity with his mother and grandfather to promote tempeh in Indonesia and further afield, called the Indonesian Tempe Movement.
Elsewhere, the other three co-founders, Chris, Elin and Fabio, were on their own search for naturally nutritious, delicious and planet-friendly foods. Coming at it from different angles, they all found a common answer in tempeh. They couldn’t believe that a food so simple could be so packed with goodness and flavour. And even more so, that tempeh wasn’t more widely known and celebrated.
With the guidance of Driando, his incredibly generous and knowledgable family and the wider Indonesian community, they committed themselves to trying to get more people eating tempeh. And in turn, to live healthier and happier lives.
Since then, we’ve grown to a team of 7 tempeh enthusiasts. Spanning Marketing, Sales, Product Development, Operations and Research & Development, our passion for wellbeing and our love for tempeh are what bring us together. We know the world has never been in more need of simple, nutritious and tasty foods, made in an ethical and sustainable way, and we want to offer this to as many people as possible. In short, we want to help people live the healthiest and happiest lives possible.
our charity CONTRIBUTION
As part of our mission to help people live the healthiest and happiest lives possible, we donate 1% of our sales to the charity YUM to help tackle malnutrition in Indonesia, the home of tempeh.
We’re so happy that, with the support of our wonderful customers, we can support their important work. Thank you for making a difference with your meals.
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our values
We're always learning and improving, but these are the three core values that Better Nature was founded on. They are what drive us everyday and inform all our decisions. If there's anything you think we could be doing to bring them to life better, we'd love to hear from you.
1. Better for all, not a few: We believe that everyone deserves to feel well, whatever that looks like to them. That’s why we care about improving the wellbeing of all and protecting the planet that keeps us all healthy. And why we don’t believe that healthy eating should only be afforded to a small subsection of society - it should be for everyone.
2. Be Better Bound: We believe that we should be the change we want to see in the world. That’s why we don’t wait around for others to make the changes we know desperately need to be made. And why we’re not afraid to be innovative, challenge the status quo, and lead the way in doing what we think is right.
3. Honesty is our Better policy: We believe that people have the right to know what’s in their food and its impact on them, others, the planet and animals. That’s why we never pretend to be something that we’re not and we say things as they are. And why we are always compassionately honest, open and transparent in everything we do.
