Help Spirit and Abundance Move

I’m Ali, the founder, owner and artisan of Spirit and Abundance LLC in Rochester, New York. I craft plant-based cheeses that use traditional cultures and incorporate traditional cheesemaking techniques to create flavorful cheeses without dairy, gluten or soy. Since founding Spirit and Abundance, I have been dedicated to incorporating local produce and ingredients whenever possible, connecting innovation and tradition.

TLDR; On June 1, 2023, I was informed that I would have to vacate my shared production space and home of Spirit and Abundance at the Hungerford Building by June 17, 2023 due to circumstances entirely, completely and absolutely out of my control.

The future of my business continues to be incredibly precarious.

My Journey So Far

I began my entrepreneurial journey in 2018. I had just gone vegan and struggled to re-learn how to cook, even with my culinary school degree. Having experienced tremendous health benefits from my new lifestyle I knew I wanted, and needed, to share everything I had taught myself in the kitchen. I founded Spirit and Abundance to teach plant-based cooking and lifestyle classes helping others learn how to cook with plants.

Unfortunately, by the end of March in 2020, I very quickly found that I was struggling to capture enough attention for my Zoom classes. I quickly pivoted Spirit and Abundance into crafting, packaging and selling plant-based cheeses while managing the business side (marketing, bookkeeping, etc) of this new direction of my business.

In November 2020, I launched 2 cheeses, named “Into the Garden” and “The Old Fashioned” and it was a resounding success!

Almost three years later we’ve been at local farmer’s markets (shout out to the NOTA and South Wedge Farmers’ Markets!), countless holiday markets and other events. I’m proud to partner with local ROC businesses including Happy Gut Sanctuary, Biscotti Brewers, Provisions and Living Roots. We’ve also started to spread our love into Ontario County with a partnership with FLX Fromagerie.

My Spirit and Abundance cheeses have been at countless weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and business meetings…maybe even yours?

As a sole, woman business owner, I have single-handedly crafted over 10 types of plant-based cheeses, producing over 4,000 pieces of cheese each year. I’ve recently added cheesecakes to the repertoire, made with a triple cream inspired cheese “Reverie.” All of our cheeses are non-dairy, gluten-free, and soy free and are well-loved by vegans, omnivores and dairy-free folks alike!

Along with many others, I was so very happy to call The Hungerford Building my home using a shared kitchen space. I was surrounded by like-minded food business owners and especially enjoyed the ability to host customers that became family during open hours.

Brief timeline of events:

June of 2022: Rochester’s beloved Hungerford Building was purchased.

I knew it would be important to find a new production space, however, availability of affordable spaces is limited, with exorbitant rent and external capital for any business in the food industry is scarce so the search has been incredibly difficult.

April 2023: I left my full-time job to build this business into my full-time job.

I’ve always had impeccable timing.

June 1, 2023: I was informed that I would have to vacate my shared production space and home of Spirit and Abundance by June 17, 2023 due to circumstances entirely out of my control.

Two weeks to organize a massive move.

June 5, 2023: The day I am launching my GoFundMe

Asking for help has always been difficult for me, but I’m asking for it now.

June 17: Spirit and Abundance will need to vacate its space at the Hungerford.

It’s a challenge I’m willing to face but it comes with a lot of sleepless nights

Through all of this, I am currently hard at work crafting cheeses to keep my wholesale accounts well-stocked through the summer.

All that said, the future of my business continues to be incredibly precarious.

I need your help to save Rochester’s only cultured plant-based cheese company.

Your funds will help me pay for:

Moving costs (movers, rentals etc.) – approx $1500

Essential “new to me” equipment to get a new space certified – approx $7000

Required permits and licensing – approx $500

Legal fees – approx $1000

2-3 months of storage for product, equipment and supplies – approx $3000

Rent deposit and utilities – approx $2000

While this move is sudden, and the circumstances heartbreaking, this is undoubtedly an expansion into bigger and better things! My work and your help will help solidify Spirit and Abundance’s future here in Rochester.

Thank you for funding and/or sharing my story.