Excitement is palpable at Sherpa Foods as they gear up for their latest product launch. “I think people are going to respond really well,” says Nurbu Sherpa, the company’s co-founder. Despite the nerves that come with launching something new, he remains optimistic. Sherpa Foods is expanding its retail offerings to include frozen versions of their popular Momo dumplings and fried rice, in addition to their existing line of refrigerated Momos and jarred Momo sauce. Momos, a type of steamed dumpling, are a popular street food in Nepal. Made from flour dough and filled with either meat or vegetables, momos can be steamed or fried making them versatile and delicious.
The company recently did a soft launch at City Market, (Burlington, VT) that has supported them since the very beginning. “City Market was our first account, so we really wanted to test the waters there,” Sherpa shares. The feedback so far has been positive, boosting their confidence as they prepare for a larger rollout through their partnership with Food Connects.
Sherpa Foods’ journey has been anything but typical. For over ten years, Nurbu and his wife Phura lived in New York City, where he had a successful career with Macy’s and no plans to leave. Phura, too, had her own career, working at JFK Airport in the cargo division. However, in 2013 when they decided to start a family, they felt the pull to be closer to their parents, who were living in Burlington, VT. While they knew they wanted to leave the fast-paced life of New York for a quieter environment, they weren’t sure what to expect in their new community. Still, they weren’t afraid to take a risk and embrace the uncertainty of this next chapter in their lives.
Starting a food business from scratch wasn’t easy, and starting one while having a baby made it even more challenging. Neither one of them had any experience in the food industry, but their passion for Nepalese cuisine and determination to succeed kept them moving forward. Looking back, Nurbu reflects on those early days with a lighthearted perspective. There were many points where they could have failed, just like many new businesses in the food and beverage industry, but that didn’t stop them. He recalls spending hours on the phone with local FDA representatives, asking questions to figure out the steps needed to take to bring their product to market. This effort eventually led them to secure a commercial kitchen space in the back of a club, where they were able to prepare their product and get it ready to share with the public. The next task was getting people hooked.
Their first big break came when they secured a spot as a vendor at the Burlington Farmers Market. Armed with their first products, beef and vegetarian momo dumplings, the Sherpas took the chance to educate customers about Nepalese food. They handed out free samples, shared the story of momo, and slowly but surely, word of mouth spread. Their products began to gain traction, leading to their first retail account, City Market. They’ve expanded to other stores and now offer a range of products, their popular Momo sauce, which they developed with the help of Cornell University’s Food Science Department.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought new challenges, including supply chain disruptions and the difficult decision to reduce staff. Despite these hurdles, Sherpa Foods continued to thrive. The Sherpas adapted by focusing on their vegetarian products and leveraging their established relationships to navigate through the tough times. Their ability to pivot during the pandemic helped the company expand beyond Vermont, and their hard work was recognized with exclusive grants from The Chobani Incubator Award.
Even with successful regional partnerships with New England-area Whole Foods and national collaborations with HomeGoods, Sherpa Foods continues to hold its local connections close to heart. By launching their latest product exclusively with Food Connects, they are reaffirming the important role that local food distributors play in strengthening food systems. Sherpa Foods has come a long way since its humble beginnings. Through perseverance, community support, and a lot of hard work, Sherpa Foods has built something that celebrates cultural heritage and contributes to the local economy.
Looking ahead, Nurbu and Phura are excited for what’s next. “It’s been an incredible ride so far,” says Nurbu, “and we’re just getting started.”
Shop the exclusive launch of Sherpa Foods frozen products and all of their recently rebranded items available now on the Food Hub!
