Jeff Lichtenstein is a proud husband, father, friend, founder, entrepreneur, mentor, advisor and CEO whose life’s work has focused on making the world a better place, organically. Jeff was born in New York City, growing up in Bayside then Jericho on the Island. Jeff’s dad Gary was a born entrepreneur, growing up in the back of his family's candy store / luncheonette in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, helping make egg-creams for customers from an early age. Jeff's mom Gloria was a food writer, psychologist and CEO whisperer which explains where his work ethic, empathy, insights and food DNA derive from. Jeff's early school days included entrepreneurial ventures ranging from snow shoveling to trading baseball cards. After college, Jeff broke into the food business on a biodynamic fruit, vegetable and goat farm with a yogurt and cheese making focus in the Dominican Republic. From there Jeff worked briefly with Budweiser then followed his passion for emerging natural specialty food with a manufacturer in Tribeca New York City prior to starting his own natural food consultancy. That’s when the fun really starts…
Helping Make The World A Better Place,
Organically
Companies Jeff helped launch and scale
In 1996 with $10,000, a chunk of his life savings and inspired by a mission of “helping make the world a better place to eat, naturally”, Jeff started Gourmet Guru. Guru, an all natural and organic food incubator, accelerator and retail CPG distribution company, the first hybrid of its kind in New York City. At its inception Jeff was the sole proprietor, delivering his wares out a 1986 Ford E-350 box truck by day and advising future CPG companies by night from a 1,000 square foot shared warehouse space in the boogie down Bronx. His focus and passion was foraging the world for the best quality organic (not yet defined at the time by the USDA) and natural food and beverages and to support local farmers.
Jeff quickly built Guru’s reputation as “The New Company, Company” with a focus on emerging brands parallel to a relationship-driven, “culture trumps strategy” approach. The company, fueled by a passion for pioneering the natural and organic space, evolved to a beautiful mosaic of 100 talented associates servicing Maryland to Maine with sales in excess of $60,000,000. Along the way Guru built and operated out of a state of the art LEED certified (one of, if not the first, in the area) headquarters in the center of New York City -Hunts Point, Bronx. Guru and its affiliates became a vertically integrated farming, manufacturing, importing, distribution, representation, merchandising and consultancy.
Gourmet Guru Achievements
Jeff and his team at Gourmet Guru worked with, launched and advised industry leaders such as Hamdi Ulukaya (Chobani), Stephen McDonnell (Applegate Farms) and Michael Eisner at the dawn of their CPG food ventures. Gourmet Guru and Jeff were recognized by organizations such as Smart CEO Magazine and Inner City 100. As well, they were awarded Business of the Year by the SBA and the City of New York with Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Business Commissioner Rob Walsh presenting the award https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaiBVMG5ygZa57LgrNGgE-Q. Jeff was visited by American and foreign leaders alike including British Parliament Members who wanted to learn how emerging urban businesses evolve and create great careers and opportunities.
Jeff is most proud of the culture he created at Gourmet Guru, built with a stellar team including his devoted and talented wife and Guru CFO Kim. Along the way Guru was active in volunteerism and giving back to the community staying true to their grassroots reasons for being.
UNFI Acquires Guru, Jeff helps launch UNFI Next
Gourmet Guru captured the attention of the world’s largest natural and organic food distributor UNFI and joined forces with the category leader in August 2016 https://www.unfi.com/news/unfi-announces-acquisition-gourmet-guru-0. Jeff stayed on-board working with UNFI's visionary CEO Steve Spinner and his exceptional team. Jeff engineered and helped write up the business plan to morph Gourmet Guru into UNFI Next, a division designed to further the tradition of Guru’s DNA to first-find, vet, launch and scale emerging brands and help turn them to household names with support guidance and advocacy for Farmers and Producers.
Jeff had an outstanding experience working with UNFI to ensure a successful integration of his team, culture, urban know-how and passion for organic innovation, until his next venture in August 2017 .
In 2017 Jeff got back to his roots uniting and building a stellar team to launch Organic Opportunities DBA Next In Natural http://www.NextInNatural.com , a boutique 360d Hybrid Private Equity / Venture Studio and Consultancy dedicated to new and emerging companies with a focus on organic, plant-based, plant-forward, and international growth opportunities. NeNa furthers his life’s work of helping make the world a better place by raising the bar of our food and beverage landscape, organically.
In June of 2022 Next In Natural along with a group of outstanding strategic investors acquired and now help operate Plant Based Superfood pioneer http://www.LovveLavva.com .
In 2021 Next In Natural acquired the US distribution rights for leading Fiber company https://www.ggbrancrispbread.com/ from Hain.
Next also launched and supports the first 100% organic, always and only deli company in the USA http://www.OrganicNuna.com, Nuna proudly gives-back to support wellness in Native American communities. Prior to that in in 2002 Jeff launched Sky Top Organics http://www.SkyTopFarms.com a company devoted to partnering with local Amish family farmers that have “organically'“ practiced regenerative agriculture for hundreds of years.
Jeff, his wife Kim and their daughters are passionate about giving-back to support a myriad of causes from volunteering to help kids get adopted, to helping in soup kitchens, supporting the elderly and other charitable endeavors. In 2023 Jeff and Kim were recognized for their work in the community where Jeff was named “eco-entrepreneur of the year” In 2023 Jeff was recognized as https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=636717058487892&set=pb.100064488112447.-2207520000. by Residents Forward. An avid swimmer and scuba diver, Jeff spent much of his youth lifeguarding and training others in the craft from the Berkshires to Key Biscayne. Jeff is also a land-lover, coaching his kids in soccer and basketball, aiming to better their playmaking ability on and off the court!
Onwards and upwards!
