Our History

We often get asked, how did Kashi get started? Kashi began with a healthy epiphany. Back in 1984, we discovered the goodness of whole grain nutrition and were so passionate about our newfound knowledge, we wanted to share it with others. After mixing grains and seeds for months, we chose the unique blend of Seven Whole Grains and Sesame for its supreme nutritional profile — a vegetarian source of protein and complex carbohydrates that’s hearty, satisfying, and energizing.

After considering names such as “Gold’n Grains” and “Graino,” we decided on Kashi, a synthesis of “kashruth” or kosher/pure food and “Kushi,” the last name of the founders of American Macrobiotics. Later, we discovered that Kashi has international meanings: porridge in Russian, happy in Chinese, and energy in Japanese.

To us, Kashi means natural, nutritious food to nourish a balanced life. Our products reflect their natural beginnings to this day. Here’s how it all began...

  • 1980

  • 1983 Grainivores unite

    Inspired by the coastal beauty of their home base, La Jolla, California, Phil and Gayle Tauber, a couple seeking a nutritionally balanced breakfast, begin experimenting with different whole grains and seeds, trying to create a pure blend that would satisfy their own health–conscious lifestyle, as well as others’. After many months, they developed a unique recipe using 7 Whole Grains and Sesame — each grain carefully selected for its nutritional benefit and flavor.

  • 1984 Kashi is born

    Kashi Breakfast Pilaf, our first product, is launched. Though not exactly an overnight success (much to our dismay, grains in a box did not excite everyone!), our passion for whole grain nutrition propels the cereal into grassroots-level sampling, including an appearance at the Los Angeles Olympic Games.

  • 1985 Cereal goes natural

    Kashi® 7 Whole Grain Puffs, the first all natural, ready–to–eat 7 grain cereal, hits the shelves.

  • 1999 We aim to satisfy

    Answering calls for a satisfying option for weight management, we launch the high–protein/high–fiber GOLEAN® line, with GOLEAN® original cereal, bars, and shake packets. GOLEAN Crunch!®, our most popular cereal to date, joins the family in 2001.

  • 2000 Our mission expands with a little help from a friend

    As a leading natural brand focused on positive nutrition, Kashi caught the eye of the Kellogg Company, who was looking to expand its brand portfolio. We continue to operate independently in La Jolla following our original business philosophy of providing great-tasting, all natural 7 Whole Grain foods to help you live your best life. And we’re able to make Kashi products more widely available, furthering our dream of a world where everyone embraces natural health.

  • 2001 We heart you

    Welcome, Heart to Heart®! Hearts everywhere warm to this groundbreaking whole grain cereal, the first to go beyond lowering cholesterol with ingredients to help support healthy arteries and promote healthy blood pressure, too.

  • 2002 Snacks that love you back

    TLC® crackers arrive on the scene and change the snack landscape by offering a tasty break that’s free of highly refined sweeteners, artificial ingredients, and Trans fat. TLC grows to include granola bars in 2005, cookies in 2006, party crackers in 2007, cereal bars in 2008 and fruit & grain bars in 2009.

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  • 2007 Warming up to frozen

    Finally, wholesome frozen entrées! Now you can enjoy convenient lunches and dinners with real ingredients and satisfying flavors — without sacrificing nutrition.

  • Today Still lovin’ whole grains

    Twenty–five years later, we’re still passionate about making the world a healthier place. Our 7 Whole Grains & Sesame blend is more than the cornerstone of our product line — it’s our heritage, our story, and our promise to provide you with foods that are real, satisfying, and sustaining. We truly are 7 Whole Grains on a mission.