Two University of Bath graduates have set up their own company to help consumers reconnect with where their food comes from.


Ruben Kostucki, a MEng Biochemical Engineering graduate, alongside BSc Business Administration graduate, Sebastian Powell, set up Flavrbox, an online community that champions independent food and drink producers.
The website aims to help the producers sell their goods to individuals rather than large corporate buyers, in the same way as a farmers’ market by creating a connection between the supplier and the buyer.


Ruben and Sebastian launched Flavrbox in November 2011, having both met at University in 2008. Looking back on his time at Bath, Kostucki said:


“University enabled me to fulfil my passion and drive for entrepreneurship as well as meet a considerable amount of interesting people in the field. I took part in the University’s programmes and societies such as SORTED and BANTER Bath Entrepreneurs, which opened my eyes into this new world.”


Their online market place consists of a handpicked selection of 17 producers and over 200 delicacies to choose from, including handmade duck liver pate, baobob jam and Wrekin blue cheese, all of which are independently and locally sourced.


Kostucki explained where the inspiration came from to create Flavrbox:
“Sebastian and I are not originally from the UK and had been told British food wasn't that great, of which we initially found from solely shopping in supermarkets. It was only later that we discovered the magical world of a farmers market and got enlightened by the fact that British food was actually amazingly good and tasty and very diverse as well. Having ventured away from the high street into the likes of Green Park market and the Bath Organic Group in Victoria Park, we discovered an array of delicious products.


“We questioned why people weren’t buying these products and why they weren’t available online. Having grown up with an appreciation of the internet we thought the ease of buying online would really appeal to people.”