We are proud to highlight 88 Acres, a pioneering allergen-free snack company that has been part of the BII portfolio family since 2014. Founded by married couple, Nicole Ledoux (CEO) and Rob Dalton (COO), 88 Acres operates from their own dedicated allergen-free manufacturing facility in Canton, MA, producing innovative seed bars, granola, and seed butters that serve consumers historically underserved by the snack food industry.
What truly sets 88 Acres apart goes far beyond their products. The company has built an exceptional workplace culture rooted in care and inclusion. When they relocated from Dorchester to Canton in 2023, 100% of their employees chose to follow the company—a testament to the supportive environment Nicole and Rob have cultivated.
88 Acres’ commitment to creating meaningful employment opportunities is evident in their comprehensive approach to workforce development. With over 70 employees, 80% of floor staff identify as people of color and 43% identify as women. The company starts new employees well-above minimum wage with 100% insurance coverage for all staff, 401k matching up to 3% (with 80% participation), CORI-friendly hiring practices, FMLA, and transportation benefits. Recently, they’ve begun offering ESOL courses during work hours and partnered with AIM to expand employee offerings and benefits.
BII’s relationship with 88 Acres spans over a decade, beginning with an investment from our original pilot fund and continuing through Fund I, with recent investment from Fund II. This latest investment supports 88 Acres in increasing runway to reach their 2025 revenue goal, while expanding current product offerings and research capabilities.
Hear from 88 Acres’ Co-Founder, Rob Dalton on this new investment: “We are beyond thrilled for Boston Impact Initiative’s (BII) investment into 88 Acres in order to support our next stage of company growth. BII was our very first investor and from then until now, our mission has remained steadfast – to create the most delicious and nutritious snacks that are also free of the top 9 food allergens, crafted by a wonderful team that is supported and celebrated every day. It’s been an incredible journey thus far and we couldn’t be happier or more thankful to deepen our partnership with BII.”
88 Acres represents proof that businesses can simultaneously benefit underserved consumers, create transformative employment opportunities, and build sustainable growth. We’re excited to continue supporting this remarkable team as they scale their impact.