About Neighbor Bento
We're bridging the gap between local food suppliers and convenience stores to bring better grab-and-go options to urban professionals.
Our Mission
Neighbor Bento was founded with a simple mission: to transform the way urban professionals access fresh, locally-made food through the most convenient channel - neighborhood convenience stores.
We believe that everyone deserves access to quality food options, even when they're on the go. By connecting local food producers with convenience stores, we're creating a network that benefits everyone involved.
Stores get higher-margin products that customers love. Food suppliers get retail presence without the overhead of a storefront. And customers get delicious, fresh options in the places they already shop.
Connecting Local Food with Convenience
Our Story
The Inspiration
Our founder, Alex Chen, was frustrated by the lack of quality food options at convenience stores during his busy workdays. He wondered why these accessible locations couldn't offer better grab-and-go options.
The Discovery
Alex discovered that many local food makers wanted to expand but couldn't afford their own storefronts. Meanwhile, convenience stores wanted better food options but struggled to connect with suppliers.
The Solution
In 2022, Neighbor Bento was born to bridge this gap. Starting with just 5 stores and 3 suppliers in one neighborhood, we've now expanded to over 100 locations across three cities.
Our Team
Alex Chen
Founder & CEO
Former restaurant operator with a passion for food accessibility and supporting small businesses.
Maya Rodriguez
Head of Supplier Relations
Former chef turned food business consultant, helping suppliers optimize their offerings for retail.
James Thompson
Head of Store Partnerships
15+ years in retail management, specializing in convenience store operations and profitability.
Sarah Lin
CTO
Tech veteran with experience at several food delivery startups, focused on building intuitive platforms.
David Washington
Head of Operations
Supply chain expert with a background in food logistics, ensuring smooth delivery of products.
Leila Khaled
Marketing Director
Brand strategist with a focus on community-based marketing and local food movements.
Our Values
Community First
We believe in strengthening local food ecosystems by connecting businesses within the same community.
Sustainability
We prioritize local sourcing to reduce food miles and encourage environmentally friendly packaging options.
Transparency
We provide clear data on product performance, pricing, and logistics to help all parties make informed decisions.
Innovation
We're constantly exploring new ways to make food distribution more efficient, accessible, and profitable for everyone.