In 2015 Jesse Merrill and Anders Eisner started Good Culture, a small business with a big mission: to make good food that was also good for the planet. They saw an enormous opportunity to disrupt the sleepy cottage cheese category with a range of products that overdelivered in taste, nutrition, and mission. Jesse and Anders saw cottage cheese as an overlooked superfood that lacked innovation since the '70s, when cottage cheese was bigger than yogurt.

Good Culture hit the shelves with products that only use real food and simple ingredients, never additives or preservatives. These products were also thicker and creamier, with more protein and less sugar than Greek yogurt — all using responsibly sourced ingredients from small family farms. To meet their high-quality standards, the co-founders made a commitment to support farmers that put animal welfare first and only obtained milk from organic and pasture-raised cows. To ensure that Good Culture is doing meaningful work, they pledged proceeds to environmental nonprofit organizations through 1% For The Planet, with a focus on regenerative agriculture.

Good Culture had many options for capital, including bank loans, but the company wanted someone who worked with similar brands, could be a long-term partner, and supported their mission and values. When Finance Manager Kellie Arnaud was introduced to Dwight Funding by Good Culture’s bookkeeping firm, it was an instant fit. Dwight Funding gave Good Culture the freedom to use accounts receivable as capital, and Dwight’s experience with high growth CPG brands brought additional value to the leadership team.