It's Nuts What Comes Out of Bullock County
Why does a woman from South Carolina, who was living in California working in the film and music industry, end up with a business in Bullock County, Alabama? When asked, Samantha Coker’s reply is simple. “Because the sprouted-industry expertise is in Bullock County, and because the people in Alabama are so easy to love.”
Samantha is the CEO of Rich Nuts and The Sprouted Company. She was introduced to Peggy Sutton through Thrive Market, an organic online grocery delivery service. Peggy began sprouting flour in her Bullock County kitchen in 2005. By 2008 the kitchen hobby became To Your Health Sprouted Flour Co. Samantha and her husband Rich Pauwels moved their business, Rich Nuts, to Alabama in 2023, renting space from To Your Health because of their “technology, efficiency, and because they were the sprouted experts.”
As a firefighter in California, Rich learned firsthand what eating large quantities of unsprouted nuts can do to your body. It was often difficult for him to have normal meals while on the job, so he began carrying cashews and other nuts with him as nutrients. He quickly found out that those nuts made him bloated and were not nutritious. Sprouting nuts helps to reduce inflammation, and it increases the product's nutritional value.
At Rich Nuts, the transformation of a nut going from tough seed to young plant is mimicked. The nuts germinate just enough to bring them to life and to let down their guard where the seed is more nutritious and its vitamins and minerals are more accessible. Samantha and Rich believe Rich Nuts are the most alive, nutrient-dense snack anywhere.
“Remember how grandma used to soak her beans before she cooked them?” asked Samantha. “It’s the same process. Sprouting is progressive, but it's also turning back to ancient ways.”
Are the nuts tasty? Absolutely! Because of the unique flavor philosophy and exotic ingredients, they are delicious. They use ingredients that enhance the natural flavor of the nuts rather than overwhelming them. Flavors include Maple Pecan, Cinnamon Walnut Crunch, Savory Sage, Crunchy Curry, Brilliant Balsamic and Go Nuts and Berries.
Turns out Samantha might have learned a few business tips from her family heritage. Her great-great-grandfather, Major James Lide Coker, organized the Southern Novelty Company, which was later renamed Sonoco Products Company, which used paper to produce cone-shaped yarn carriers. The cones, used by the textile industry for storing and transporting yarn, remain in wide use today. Sonoco is now one of the top five global packaging companies and is run by Samantha's cousin Howard Coker who maintains the ethos of a people first, purpose driven company.
Samantha follows that mantra of her great-great-grandfather. People come first. It is her desire to create an amazing work atmosphere where people feel loved and appreciated for who they are. “It is so important to invest time and energy in loving people," says Coker. "People will never see themselves properly without an accurate mirror. We at Rich Nuts want to be that for our people. We want to nourish people and help them thrive, becoming their best selves."
They are also committed to 100% regenerative sourcing and to responsible packaging. The structure of mindfulness is in every aspect of the business. From how they produce, package and ship, to how every person along the supply chain is treated, they devote themselves to being mindful of the impact of everything they do.
Rich Nuts can be purchased at many retail locations across California, Michigan and Illinois and online from anywhere at richnuts.com. Other sprouted products can also be purchased from the Sprouted Company and To Your Health Sprouted Flour, Co.
And by the way, the author highly recommends the Sprouted Maple Pecans.
Order and enjoy!
Story written by: Midge Putnam
