Part Two · The Story
Now, the journey that made her.
Told in 5 chapters, from a personal need to a legacy carried forward.
Part One · The Bio
Who she is, in brief.
Mary Cherop
Founder & CEO, Cherubet Foods Company Limited
I started Cherubet Foods from a place of personal need. I wanted to make it easier for families to enjoy the nutritious, wholesome foods we all grew up with.
In 2007, I worked as a civil servant and, like many working mothers, I would come home in the evenings and prepare meals for my family. I knew there had to be a better way to enjoy the foods we love without spending hours preparing them. That idea became Cherubet Foods.
I began by preparing and selling ready-to-eat frozen grains and beans. With little more than a borrowed cooler and samples of my products, I walked into the biggest supermarket at the time and asked for an opportunity to put Cherubet on the shelves. That first opportunity became the beginning of a journey that has grown far beyond what I imagined.
I named the company after my mother, Cherubet. She was a hardworking and resilient woman who farmed to provide for her family. Watching her taught me that food is about much more than nourishment, it is about care, dignity, opportunity and building a better future.
Today, Cherubet Foods is my way of carrying that legacy forward. We work with farmers and communities to bring nutritious Kenyan foods to more people, while making them easier and more convenient to prepare. We are particularly passionate about beans and other traditional foods that are naturally rich in nutrients but are often overlooked or time-consuming to prepare.
As we have grown, so has our purpose. Cherubet is not only about making food convenient. It is about creating opportunities for farmers, women and young people while helping Kenyan families eat well.
Everything we make is inspired by the same belief that started it all: good food should be nutritious, accessible and convenient, and it should never have to come at the expense of our traditions.
Good food should be nutritious, accessible and convenient, and it should never have to come at the expense of our traditions.
Leadership highlights
The values that shape every Cherubet decision.
Innovation
Reimagining traditional Kenyan staples into convenient, modern food solutions.
Healthy Living
Championing preservative-free, wholesome food for every Kenyan family.
Supporting Local Farmers
Fair pricing and long-term contracts with smallholder farming families.
Women's Economic Empowerment
Creating income, ownership and leadership pathways for women.
Community Development
Investing in the towns and villages that grow and cook our food.
Sustainable Food Systems
Reducing waste and building resilient, locally-rooted supply chains.
Entrepreneurship
Mentoring the next generation of Kenyan food entrepreneurs.
Nutrition & Wellness
Making the nutritious choice the easiest choice on every shelf.
Measurable impact
Progress you can count.
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- Farmers Supported
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- Women Empowered
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- Communities Reached
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- Retail Partners
- 0 SKUs
- Product Range
- 0
- Years of Service
Chapter One
A Personal Need
I started Cherubet Foods from a place of personal need. I wanted to make it easier for families to enjoy the nutritious, wholesome foods we all grew up with.
In 2007, I worked as a civil servant and, like many working mothers, I would come home in the evenings and prepare meals for my family. I knew there had to be a better way to enjoy the foods we love without spending hours preparing them. That idea became Cherubet Foods.
Chapter Two
The Beginning
I began by preparing and selling ready-to-eat frozen grains and beans. With little more than a borrowed cooler and samples of my products, I walked into the biggest supermarket at the time and asked for an opportunity to put Cherubet on the shelves. That first opportunity became the beginning of a journey that has grown far beyond what I imagined.
Chapter Three
A Legacy Named Cherubet
I named the company after my mother, Cherubet. She was a hardworking and resilient woman who farmed to provide for her family. Watching her taught me that food is about much more than nourishment, it is about care, dignity, opportunity and building a better future.
Food is about much more than nourishment, it is about care, dignity, opportunity and building a better future.
Mary Cherop
Chapter Four
Carrying the Legacy Forward
Today, Cherubet Foods is my way of carrying that legacy forward. We work with farmers and communities to bring nutritious Kenyan foods to more people, while making them easier and more convenient to prepare. We are particularly passionate about beans and other traditional foods that are naturally rich in nutrients but are often overlooked or time-consuming to prepare.
As we have grown, so has our purpose. Cherubet is not only about making food convenient. It is about creating opportunities for farmers, women and young people while helping Kenyan families eat well.
Chapter Five
Looking Ahead
Everything we make is inspired by the same belief that started it all: good food should be nutritious, accessible and convenient, and it should never have to come at the expense of our traditions.
Mary Cherop
Founder & CEO, Cherubet Foods Company Limited
The journey
Milestones along the way.
2007
The idea for Cherubet Foods begins
A working mother searches for a better way to put nutritious traditional meals on the family table.
Business launch
First ready-to-eat frozen grains and beans
Mary begins preparing and selling ready-to-eat frozen grains and beans.
First listing
Shelf space with a major retailer
With a borrowed cooler and product samples, Cherubet secures its first supermarket listing.
Growth
Expanded product range and retail footprint
The Frozen, Uji and Long Life ranges reach more Kenyan households.
Today
Empowering farmers, women and Kenyan families
Cherubet works with farming communities to make nutritious Kenyan food accessible and convenient.
Looking ahead
Good food should be nutritious, accessible and convenient, and it should never have to come at the expense of our traditions.
Mary Cherop, Founder & CEO, Cherubet Foods Company Limited
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