Washington University graduate launches protein-centric food brand PSquared Foods

Recent Washington University graduate Olivia Stevermer and her business partner Morgan Rucker, a University of Arizona graduate, are fed up with the food industry. Unlike a lot of us, however, they’re actually doing something about it with the upcoming launch of protein pudding through their new brand PSquared Foods.

After struggling with obesity and turning to weight lifting to get her health on track, Stevermer was consuming “healthy” protein products, yet was depleted of energy. “When Morgan and I randomly met in a city we both had no affiliation with, naturally the first thing we talked about was our shared hatred of the food industry and our desire to change it,” Stevermer said. “We both had our own struggles with mental health and low energy, which led us to deep dives into nutrition to heal ourselves through food.”

About a year ago, Rucker – a global studies major who previously interned at a health tech startup – and Stevermer – who has a degree in entrepreneurship – were on a retreat in Tulsa and were randomly assigned as roommates. “When we both got to our room, Morgan opened up her bag and a pile of protein bars poured out. They were all the same protein bars that I normally consume, which were free from unhealthy additives in most other bars [and] a very niche assortment,” Stevermer said. “We then bonded over industrial seed oils and our frustration with additives in the food system, especially protein products. We talked for a few hours that night about our passion for health, then kept talking the next day about our favorite wellness podcasts, supplements and geeking out over the niche benefits of certain foods.”

Shortly after, the pair began working on their PSquared protein pudding, which Rucker had previously created the beginnings of when she was "attempting to make a protein bar, blended all the ingredients up and then it became a protein pudding," according to Stevermer.

“PSquared Foods is a plant-powered, protein-packed food brand that's seeking to improve health rather than harm or just maintain it,” Stevermer said. “We're launching with a protein pudding to capture the demand for on-the-go protein products while being free from added sugars, the top eight allergens and artificial [ingredients] – unlike most other protein products on the market. We're on a mission to raise the standard for what's on our grocery store shelves.”

After 78 recipe iterations, the duo finalized their starting lineup with four flavors: banana, chocolate-cherry, matcha-blueberry, and strawberry. Each flavor is less than 200 calories and has about 14 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber and 9 grams of natural sugar.

“From my first conversation with Morgan, we began iterating this protein pudding thousands of miles apart in our college apartments, texting each other photos and reviews of random ingredients we were throwing together in a blender,” she said. “We began sampling with all of our friends and anyone who would give us feedback. Now, thousands of customer interviews later, we are working with a manufacturer on [research and development] and producing our first round of product.”

The protein pudding is slated to launch this summer primarily via e-commerce, and the owners are building a waitlist in the meantime. The product is shelf stable thanks to the use of malic acid and utilizes pea protein, “which, contrary to popular belief, has all nine essential amino acids,” Stevermer said. “The fiber comes from dates, plus strawberries, blueberries, cacao and banana, depending on the flavor.”

This product has changed the team’s own health journey in many ways, including by making them more aware of the universal frustration with the food industry. “Through conducting so many customer interviews, we've learned that we aren't alone in this struggle to find healthy options on the grocery shelves and are super excited to be able to change the industry,” she said. “[Morgan] was always really passionate about food and started using nutrition as a way to fix her mental health in 2020, which made her increasingly determined to improve the food system for all.”

For more information and to get on the waitlist for their upcoming launch, visit psquaredfoods.com.

Editor's note: This article was updated to clarify some of the scientific claims.