A conversation on representation in the plant-based foods industry and how businesses and individuals can authentically support the LGBTQIA+ community.
Our Member Spotlight Series showcases the incredible work of the companies in our membership and aims to shine a light on the individuals behind the brands and provide a platform for their unique and impactful perspectives and insights.
This month, we are celebrating Pride with an in-depth conversation with Becky Harrison, the Director of Food Service- West Region for Gathered Foods, makers of Good Catch®, a chef-driven revolutionary food company developing flavorful, 100% plant-based seafood alternatives. Becky is an optimistic and charismatic sales professional with almost 20 years of sales experience, she is passionate about developing and maintaining strong relationships centered on trust and authentic connection. Becky resides in the Pacific Northwest with her wife, Abbie, and toddler son, River and they enjoy hiking, camping, and outdoor adventures. She is also active in the community and volunteers as a Coach with Special Olympics Oregon, as well as Positive Community Kitchen.
In this interview we discuss:
- The growing plant-based seafood market and how Good Catch is making it easier for consumers to support the world’s oceans by choosing delicious plant-based seafood.
- The role of intersectionality in the plant-based food industry and how issues around the environment and social justice are woven throughout.
- The importance of representation in the industry and the need for more diversity at every level, as well as challenges and opportunities that individuals and businesses should consider.
- The impact of corporate “rainbow washing” and how companies can authentically support and elevate the LGBTQIA+ community during Pride Month and beyond.
- Advice for individuals looking to get started in the plant-based food space.
Learn more about and try Good Catch Foods: goodcatchfoods.com
Follow Good Catch on social: @GoodCatchFoods
Audio Transcript
Kate Good
Hello and welcome to the Plant Based Doods Association Member Spotlight Series. My name is Kate Good and I am the Senior Manager of Media and Development.
Annie Tarashansky
And I’m Annie Tarashansky Membership and Communications Coordinator.
KG:
And today we are speaking with Becky Harrison Director of Foodservice–West for member company Good Catch. Becky is an optimistic and charismatic sales professional with almost 20 years of sales experience. She’s passionate about developing and maintaining strong relationships centered on trust and authentic connection. Becky resides in the Pacific Northwest with her wife Abbie and toddler son River. They enjoy hiking, camping, and outdoor adventures. She’s also active in community and volunteers as a coach with Special Olympics Oregon, as well as Positive Community Kitchen.
For anyone who’s unfamiliar with Good Catch, they’re a member and they make incredible plant-based seafood so their seafood is Chef crafted from their signature protein-packed six lagoon blend. Some of their products include plant-based tuna fish sticks and filets as well as crab cakes. I will also say I recently got to try the salmon burgers and popcorn shrimp at the Fancy Food Show. And it was so fantastic. So we’re very excited to chat with you today, Becky.
Becky Harrison
Great. Yeah, thanks for having me. I’m excited.
AT:
Thanks so much for joining us. Let’s just dive in. One of the goals of this series is to help shine a light on the stories and individuals behind the companies. Can you tell us a bit more about your background and how you came to work in the plant-based food space?
BH:
Sure, I think that some people are really kind of born for sales. And I think that I’m one of those people. I really enjoy community building and connection and just building relationships. My earliest jobs ever were in like either front of the house or back of the house, you know, service industry, I really found a home there. And then in my earlier professional career, I went to work for some really large mission-driven companies, you know, Verizon Wireless, and BMW financial services and North America. Those are some of the companies that really had you know, world-class customer service sales operations, I got to really learn. Learn from that. I moved to the Pacific Northwest about 10 years ago, I started working as a national sales manager for an organic women’s health care company. And then got the incredible opportunity to move into an organic plant-based ice cream company here in the Pacific Northwest. I really got to dive into foodservice there. I felt like I was back home in the service industry and sort of some of those channels. And it was really back to developing those relationships, though, you know, and then we had the pandemic which challenge. And then in early 2021, last year, I got to start working at Good Catch. Gather Foods is the manufacturer, and we make 100% plant-based seafood alternatives. So delicious taste, texture, crunch, mission-driven, positive disruption, and really the goal is to keep sea life and fish in the ocean and off our plates. The ocean is obviously an incredibly big part of our diverse ecosystem, and we want to protect the blue part of our planet.
AT:
That’s beautiful. I really appreciate having the service perspective in our member companies. I think that’s so important. Okay, what is your big why for working in the plant-based food industry? Is there any particular cause or fact that you learned that motivated your work and passion?
BH:
Yeah, I think my true, why of plant-based is that no matter what part of plant-based, whether it’s dairy, meat, supplements, any of that is that we’re all on board in the same mission. And that’s to drive change. We all have a tremendous sense of urgency around change with our current food systems. A tremendous sense of urgency around climate change, a Good Catch our mission is we propel change through craveable plant-based foods so that all beings can thrive and I guarantee you that if you talk to other manufacturers and brands, they’re going to have something sort of maybe similar it’s going to be about the planet thriving all beings thriving and how we want to protect and kind of shift the there are food systems so that we can protect this planet. And I think the most exciting thing about that whether we’re absolutely head-to-head competition or not Is that we’re all in it together that feels really good. It feels really important, and there’s no place else I’d rather be.
KG:
Exactly. It’s really here for it. And I think also the oceans are overlooked, at times can be overlooked, and the impact of the fishing industry, so to be able to offer a plant-based alternative that, you know, has that familiar texture mouthfeel that enables people to make a shift, however, often they choose do is a really powerful thing.
BH:
Yeah, it’s definitely, you know, on a hot, sort of exploding segment of plant-based meat, but, you know, a Good Catch that such so mission-driven, it’s literally what’s everything that we do, there’s a lot of reasons why people would, you know, want to, you know, even folks who aren’t maybe 100% plant-based why they would really want to have those safer alternatives, whether it’s less mercury, protecting the oceans, I do think is a really big one. Last month in Bon Appetit Magazine, there was an article about can the oceans survive sushi with the way you know, fishing is going and a Good Catch, we got an amazing mention. We have our tuna product, which a lot of sushi shops are now using, and sushi, and I think it is changes like that. It is that palette that people can still get that delicious, spicy salmon or spicy tuna, they can still have that. And it’s much more sustainable. But it’s equally delicious. And just feel better about it. I think that changes like that do make a big difference.
KG:
Absolutely. And if positive change can taste good as well. All the better.
BH:
Absolutely, it’s familiar, we all grew up probably eating fish sticks or the Filet o Fish that we all know, so we can create something that tastes better. That’s actually made from plants. Everything we do is non-GMO six legumes truly plant-based. I mean, it’s a win-win for you for the planet for everyone. And I do believe it’s absolutely the future.
AT:
Definitely. Congratulations on that Bon Appetit feature.
BH:
Oh, thank you. Yeah, excited, got lots of press lots a great, great PR. So we’re really excited to be to be growing our brand, and especially in food food service.
KG:
I think one thing that is really becoming clear just in the plant-based food space, and the larger food industry is the role of intersectionality. And how we can’t talk about food without talking about the broader impact on people planet and animals alike. This is a big focus for us here at PBFA. Because we recognize when it comes to something like envisioning a future for a more just and equitable food system. It involves pulling in and incorporating lots of different perspectives, and diversity and ensuring that everyone is welcome at the table here. So with that, I would love if you could speak a little bit to your experience with intersectionality. If there’s anything that inspires you based on what you’ve seen in the plant-based industry so far.
BH:
Yeah, that’s a great question. I think that foodservice, I’ll just take it from that angle. So that’s where I live, work, and breathe. It’s a very, you know, it’s an older, it’s been kind of it’s been around forever, right? And the people that are in that industry, look nothing like me, it is often times intimidating. But you know, where they do look like me is with cutting-edge companies in the plant-based space. What’s inspiring about that is I think, because we all are aware that with the food with food systems and food inequality, it is a lot of things that come from centuries-old issues that have been plaguing us, whether that is structural racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, you know, things that are very much still alive and well today.
I think it might be within the foodservice industry. And within food that we see a lot of leaders coming in and flooded with brands, including our brand Good Catch, where you know, there are folks of color there are folks of all different LGBTQIA plus backgrounds, we see much more diversity in food in within this industry. And I think that’s really inspiring and hopefully, we are leading gonna lead the way because there is a lot of success and you need people to kind of look like you I think you need to sometimes be able to you’re not going to be able to necessarily hear about it from some corporate talking head but if people are out there and brands that look like you and that can understand even the some of the issues that you have faced. I think that’s really important. And I think that’s inspiring.
KG:
Yeah, absolutely. Well, and I think you bring up such an important point where there needs to be more representation just across the board. Because if you can’t just be talking to the same people over and over again and expecting a different result. So you know, as you’re trying to build an umbrella in the plant-based foods industry, where really everyone is welcome, we’re actively seeking ideas and perspectives from a diverse set of people and backgrounds and experiences. By doing that, we’re more able to set up an industry that just runs throughout the DNA, right.
So with that, I would love to also just kind of follow up on that question. And see, you did address in touch on, you know, some of the issues or barriers that you’ve experienced or witnessed so far, but what would you say is the biggest issue and not to say, we’re going to solve all the world’s problems in this one conversation alone. But if you’d like to shine a light on a particular issue that you think needs to be more broadly discussed or highlighted in this space? Like, we’d love to hear your perspective?
BH:
Yeah, that’s a good question. Kate, I think that what we have to do is just talk about the really, really hard games, I think we have to have those really hard conversations, that people based on the color of their skin, or their class or their background, and where they come from, have had access to different foods, even with plant-based foods, I think it’s a major challenge. A lot of people think it’s is for like some white upper-class people based on some of the price points and some of this, quite frankly, retailers when things are sold, we need to get really real about that and sit down and have some really uncomfortable conversations. And at its core, acknowledge that these things exist, shine a light on it, and begin to really talk about it, I feel like I’m in the world and our society today.
Politics and things are we have so much polarization, it’s kind of sticky. Sometimes you feel like you want to stick away from it even. But we have, we have to get into these uncomfortable spaces and say these things exist. And I have a part of it, I might not get it right, I might really need to sit down and have some education around it. But I’m going to at least commit to having the conversation and to not pretend that we live in just some world where it’s all great. smiling, happy plant-based fish is for everyone. when really it’s it’s not always accessible to everyone.
And I think it’s June. So we’re kind of talking about LGBTQIA+ folks. So with that, we have a lot of companies now that we do have diversity. So there are a lot more people that have seats at the table. And that’s really good. Because that’s not been always been the case. But do the people at the table, have a voice? Do the people at the table, feel comfortable to use that voice? I think that’s something to really look at from an organization standpoint. Also, I think one thing that’s really incredible. For me, when I came out, there was like, it was like the age of like, ln and things were just, you know, when I first met my wife, Abbie, eight years ago, our marriage was illegal in many states still. So we’ve had tremendous progress on a lot of these things. And we’ve had an amazing language. And that’s been kind of more born into our world from people who are talking about, you know, being nonbinary, different pronouns, people who aren’t just a singular identity, they’re not a single gay male, I am more I’m a nonbinary person, I am personally a queer person, I’ve come to learn that more that I’m not that single identity. So at the table, do people have a voice to say, my identity changed? I might have been working for this company for eight years. Do I feel comfortable with saying that it’s one thing to have a yearly you know, a yearly like we’re going to talk about microaggressions, or we’re going to talk about this? Another thing to continue to say, what about when you’re at the lunch table with folks?
What I’m not even talking about either within your own company, but even within your own community, the plant-based space, I’m just talking a little more broadly, like are you comfortable with saying hey, wow, that really is kind of is problematic, not from an alarming you need to be defensive of space, but like a space that can make us better to have open communication like so we can accept each other from as where we are. Diversity is an incredible teacher if we allow ourselves to be open to learn from it, but it’s not it’s complex, and you have to be open to it, and being open to that teaching is being open to the hard conversations.
AT:
I really appreciate you sharing that perspective. Yeah. There’s no way to move forward as an industry unless we’re willing to talk about what’s holding us back.
BH:
Yeah, I mean, we get to have many amazing leaders on this call right now talking about so many different aspects of this. And I see a lot more people talking about it, whether it’s on LinkedIn, or whether it’s in person we’re getting, we’re getting there, we’re making some stuff, but we got we have, we have some ways to go. So yeah, give people a seat at the table. But make sure they have the safety, make sure that they have a structure to be able to, to talk about it and make sure that if folks do have different identities, or identities, that maybe are newer to you or to your company, that you’ll be able to embrace someone because it’s within that embracing that you have so many amazing gifts. And when you can learn about where someone comes from and who they are, then you can learn about how how to better grow and strengthen an organization. And then you can even learn more about your own consumer base. And you can learn more about you the partners that you work with and the people that produce your food. But it really all starts with having that openness, and willingness to say, I don’t know at all. And I need there’s a lot to learn, and how can I view learning so amazing.
AT:
So you’ve touched a little bit about pride month, and the need for LGBTQIA+ representation. Representation is important. And as we look at the landscape of the plant-based foods industry, can you speak to the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ perspectives in leadership? What is the industry doing to promote these voices? And what can be done to increase representation across the industry?
BH:
Thanks. Annie. That’s a good question. I think it kind of goes back to what I just said about making sure you have that seat at the table, I think you want to see people that are like you so that way, the next, the next leaders that we have the most amazing innovative minds, that we have coming up look nothing like the people that we have known so far, nothing like this. It’s been honestly a white male-dominated space and so many ways, folks that might have traditional, even heteronormative values that just happened to just have been the standard. And that’s not to shame or say anything bad. But this is just how our society has been. And we’re looking to like, kind of, you know, break down those walls. So you want to be able to let these leaders, these innovators, these people who don’t, who maybe don’t have that fanciest college degree, or this X amount of money or these connections with these investors, we need to be able to bring to the table, a clear path for them. That’s the representation. I think that we can really see, though, that we do.
And you know, with within our company, I’m fortunate to work for an amazing company, we have people of color and leadership LGBTQIA+ folks, and it that feels really good. Our Chief Sales Officer, my direct boss, him and his husband, they have a little one, we’re able to talk about parenting and you know, for coming from same-sex parenting, like, that’s awesome. You want that. And when I was kind of thinking of interviewing for the job, that was a really big plus for me like, Well, my boss, he could have an understanding of that maybe not exactly who I am, we’re not exactly the same. But that’s amazing that our company treats that just like every other family. And that’s not always the case. And I spend a lot of time traveling all over the US. For me, when I meet with partners and clients in very liberal San Francisco it’s different than when I’m in the breadbasket of the country, I am a little more guarded about even the things that I even share, depending on you know where I am. And I think we need to get to a place where that’s that’s not the case where people were reached can continue no matter where you are, no matter where your company is, no matter what the where the industry is we’ve laid the groundwork for diverse leadership and diverse people at all levels, leadership, sales, at all levels. That’s where I think representation is, like I said, just to really make sure that our the brightest minds and the people with the best solution are able to come forward and not just those privileged folks, which is, unfortunately, how it’s been. And so much of our industry until now.
AT:
Totally, it makes a big difference to join a company and to be able to see yourself represented there. And that brings me to the next question I wanted to touch on a phenomenon that has sort of emerged as the world has become more accepting which is corporate pride. And looking outward, we do have to acknowledge the fact that rainbow washing has become a trend in corporate marketing in recent years. What can and should brands do to authentically connect with LGBTQIA+ communities during pride month and beyond?
BH:
Yeah, that’s a great question. I think that rainbows–we love rainbows, the rainbow logos, the rainbow this, the rainbow luncheons. But rainbows come from rain and storms. And we are still in a lot of storms. We have a renewed interest, if anything renewed violence and renewed targeting, especially to our transgender community. I mean, we’re in the storms. It’s not just like happy, whoo, we got to be the end of this. We’re just celebrating, we’re throwing confetti in the air. I mean, that’s not really what it’s about, right? I mean, Pride, the notion of Pride itself is it was a riot started by a black, transgender woman. So it was a riot, we’re still having those riots today, we’re still fighting for those rights.
And I think from the company perspective, it’s nice that you can, you know, say Happy Pride and put it put a spotlight on it. But if you look at the big stakeholders in your company, if you look at your investors, if you look at that, are they really investing specifically in even in the larger political landscape? Are they investing into causes and people that are pro LGBTQ, I mean, I think the last couple of days on the news, it’s been so much about, you know, Toyota, their sponsors of pride in California, but they’re also spending a million bucks funding anti-LGBTQIA+ causes like, that’s a problem. That’s, that’s really playing definitely both sides of the issue. And that’s definitely not where your money where your mouth is.
So again, it goes into this kind of uncomfortable place where politics matters, I think your votes matters, I think where you put your money matters. And I think if your company’s still funding into these really anti LGBTQIA+ causes, I think that that’s a problem. So what you can do as a company is, you know, donate to some charities, but it’s even better to donate to people who are moving the Moog, who are really moving the ball forward as far as true equality because that’s what we need. I think, as a queer person, I think we’re in the fight for our lives again. We all have been, it was great, we got marriage equality. But here we are back, it’s back up on the chopping block, again, for a lot of reasons, which we could spend all day talking about, but we’re fighting again, so companies need to fight with us. And that’s a lot more than the rainbow logo, although it’s appreciated. But I mean, truly get down, get down and dirty and put your money where your mouth is. That’s where it’s what it’s about.
KG:
Absolutely. Oh, my goodness. But thank you so much for sharing your perspective and all of this incredible insight and guidance and appreciate your time. And so, you know, we’re running towards the end of our conversation. But I wanted to just close out with, you know, as someone who’s been involved in the plant-based foods industry, and really what advice do you have for anyone who’s looking to get started in this space? What are the things that you wish you had known or just any tips or words of wisdom you’d like to share?
BH:
Yeah, I would say get really familiar with, with the landscape of the various segments, whether it’s, you know, alternative meats, alternative dairy, there’s still so many of them. There’s a lot of really outspoken people: women, women of color, folks of color, folks of all different diverse backgrounds that are now leading and innovating. I think that they’re open to having some conversation. So maybe drop them an email, a line on LinkedIn, go if you’re able to get into a trade show or an industry show, if you’re able to volunteer at a consumer event where some of these brands are going to talk to those brands. Go find out who they are, what they’re doing, go learn about their why. Go learn about what the landscape is, I think you’ll find a lot of passion and energy coming out of that if you’re interested in pursuing that.
I think that there are so many brands that are looking for those energized people that will want to join the movement and the gifts that you have, people are looking for. So don’t think that because traditionally, it doesn’t look like the X amount of sales experience or X amount of marketing experience or the this is my background. It doesn’t have to be that way. It could just be I’m really interested. I’m energized. I care about what I’m eating. I care about how that’s impacting people. And you build connect network and build community.
That’s what I love about plant-based foods, specifically our whole industry. It’s a big community. Like I said, whether you’re kind of battling it out in certain categories during the day or night I think you can say no matter what I have respect for what you’re doing. You’re helping me grow. I know I feel that way about a lot of new plant-based. See, food companies are so many of them now. So awesome to see that because we need each other to help grow my specific space, but we need each other, you know, all across the board. So get involved and just talk to people and people, and people are open to having those conversations, I really do believe that we’re all looking for folks to join this movement. And it’s, you never know what gifts you have that might just spur that next amazing innovation, the next marketing idea, the next ingredient, any of that. So just getting involved. And I know it’s definitely taking a chance and putting yourself out there, but it definitely pays off.
AT:
There’s one thing I’ve taken away from this call is how much there is a need for action and authenticity at every level.
BH:
Absolutely, there isn’t let’s just keep talking about it. Like I think every month, you know, I love spotlighting stuff, maybe figure out a time to spot maybe PBFA spotlight some of these issues there. It’s so scary to do it. But it’s so important and find those people who impacts the most to talk about those people go find the folks who are really impacted by food insecurity, talk to them get their perspective for the that’s who that’s his voice is really need to be elevated. So, you know, hopefully, you have a can be a leader about I think that you can for sure. Hope.
KG:
Yes, we absolutely hope to play that role. Well, thank you so much for taking the time today. Becky, it’s been such a pleasure to speak with you.
AT:
How can we learn more about Good Catch before we go?
BH:
Yeah, go to our website. GoodCatchFoods.com We have an incredible recipe website, we have all these really cool recipes that we have videos, it just no matter what seafood dish that you’re looking at, we have a way to innovate that and create that. If you’re a restaurant, partner out there, if you’re a distributor, anything if you’re looking to collaborate, you know, reach out to us we feel that we’re leaders of the community and our own plant-based community. We want to continue to grow Partner Network Connect. So it’s, you know, check out our Instagram, all that good stuff, but hopefully, you can soon order it at a restaurant near you if you’re not already.
KG:
All right. Thank you so much, Becky. It was so fantastic to have you on and we’re looking forward to keeping this conversation going.
BH:
Thank you. Thanks for having me.