The Mother-daughter duo behind the popular pop-up vegan market Upbeet + Rooted announced the launch of a unique virtual marketplace to reflect consumers’ changing priorities and reinforce their ‘Do No Harm’ mantra. Daughter Kim Bohstedt and mother Diane Mantel started Upbeet + Rooted last year to support small businesses through their plant-based pop-up markets. Vendors in the past have included local bakers, makers and provisionists, as well as natural skincare and wellness products, artisan candles, jewelry and ceramics. Because of Covid, however, most of 2020’s pop-up events took a backseat this year. The always sold-out market was forced to find creative ways to replicate the business online—keeping their vendors’ afloat and furthering their mission of being the go-to site for those looking for clean, cruelty-free products. Kim and Diane refocused their platform and operations by creating a new concept that is more “COVID-friendly,” they say. “It's going to be epic.” 

Upbeet + Rooted will be morphing into an online apothecary and grocer for the eco-minded consumer and vegan shopper. Its 'No Harm Marketplace' will operate primarily through their Instagram page and web store and will be launching early next year to include a combination of local and national makers/vendors they’ve either met personally through their markets, or found through the cyberworld and believe in as responsibly-made products to sustain a cruelty-free lifestyle. Expect a carefully-curated and rotating selection of thoughtfully hand-picked foods, products and goodies from brands across the country that Kim and Diane are passionate about supporting. 

The debut collection launches January 1 to kick off the New Year with 13 selected brands. They will be announcing these brands on their social media platform throughout the rest of the year while working as a collective to spread their ‘Do No Harm’ mission. Each season will last three months, then rotated out to feature more of their favorite brands. “Going virtual allows more people to discover the brands we love and trust and allows people access to these products they have not had before,” explains founder Kim Bohstedt.  

From upcycled carrot pulp that comes from various juice distributors and made into Seconds ‘Carrot Crackers’ that promotes no wasted food, to Up To Good Sparkling Cascara Clean Energy Drink, brewed from the coffee fruit, not the bean, Upbeet + Rooted helps you find the hard-to-find snacks you’d prefer to fill your pantry with but can’t find at area grocery stores. Look out also for The Modern Pop plant-based fruit pops and fudgesicles, JOYA adaptogenic elixir blends and herbal supplements, Pineapple Collaborative tin can olive oils, Core and Rind creamy and dairy-free cashew cheese sauces, Brekki’s ready-to-eat Overnight Oats with ancient grains, FRONKS organic nutmilks, Joolies date snacks and Spero Foods sunflower cream cheese.

“The updated website will grow as a trustworthy source that makes no-harm living easy, fun and approachable,” says Kim. “Every item is vetted to support brands that share our values while taking the guesswork out of the customer experience. We’ve built a strong following and community based on this trust and are excited to offer our audience an easy way to directly support the brands and missions we can get behind.” 

Photo courtesy of Upbeet + Rooted