FarmboxRx CEO Ashley Tyrner founded her nutrition startup after being on food stamps and experiencing single motherhood. Now, Tyrner says she has built a profitable company serving the nutrition needs of Medicare and Medicaid members, but all without raising a penny of outside capital.
Tyrner leverages the concept of food as engagement as she uses the food box as a way to communicate with members. For instance, the box may contain educational materials about diagnostic screenings or how to manage their disease. The food box can contain produce, lean proteins, foods to support chronic conditions, as well as culturally appropriate foods or ingredients — for example, Latino members may receive cilantro as an ingredient in their food box.
In this journey, she has never accepted outside money — a deliberate choice she made. Why? Hear Tyrner explain that decision in an interview this week.