Michelle Huff didn’t just dream about creating a food business—she staked her family’s future on it. After 17 years in the produce industry, Michelle had seen every facet of food production and distribution. But one idea refused to let go. Her husband, Robert, had spent years growing high-quality beans on their Minidoka County farm, and Michelle saw an opportunity to do something revolutionary: fresh, kettle-cooked beans, ready to eat and sourced straight from Idaho soil.

In 2018, Michelle made the decision that changed everything. She sold her stake in a successful produce company and immediately invested every resource the family had into launching Bare Beans. It was a risky move—building a new business from scratch while running a family farm is no small feat. But Michelle’s belief in the concept fueled every step of the journey. “I knew I had to try,” she recalls. “If I saw it on grocery store shelves and it wasn’t ours, I’d never forgive myself.”

meet the Family at the Heart of the Farm

From the beginning, Bare Beans has been a family affair. Robert and their two sons manage the fields, planting and harvesting each crop with the care of generations of farmers before them. The family’s farm, located just outside Rupert, Idaho, is the backbone of Bare Beans’ supply chain. Robert brings a wealth of agricultural expertise, and their sons work the land alongside their father, carrying forward the family’s farming legacy while contributing to the future of Bare Beans.

Built in the Heart of Idaho

The Huffs built their processing facility within ten miles of the family farms. Located in Rupert, the facility processes beans fresh from the field, kettle-cooks them to perfection, and packages them without preservatives. From this rural corner of Idaho, Bare Beans now reaches consumers across all 50 states and Canada. Their team of 35 hardworking employees is the backbone of Bare Beans, ensuring every step, from kettle-cooking to packaging, is handled with care and precision. By building their facility close to home, the Huffs have created meaningful jobs in their community, reinforcing their commitment to Idaho’s people and agricultural heritage.

Changing the Way People Eat

Bare Beans has taken a simple ingredient and made it revolutionary. Michelle’s vision centered on delivering high-quality, farm-fresh food to the produce section—offering consumers “even more convenience than canned beans.” Unlike dried or canned beans, Bare Beans offer a scratch-made experience in minutes. Just open a bag, heat, and enjoy the same rich flavor and texture as beans simmered at home. This innovation has resonated with institutional kitchens, hospitality, restaurants, and food service industries across the country.

Driven by Ambition and Idaho Spirit

As Bare Beans continues to grow, Michelle’s ambitions remain sky-high. She envisions expanding their offerings and growing the brand’s footprint across the food service world. “We’re just getting started,” she says with a smile.

Bare Beans is also a proud part of their contribution to the larger Idaho agricultural story—a state known for its volcanic soil, pristine mountain water, and family farmers who pour their hearts into every harvest. Through Michelle’s determination and the Huff family’s commitment to their craft, Bare Beans is no longer just a dream, it’s changing how America thinks about beans, one serving at a time.

Discover more about the Bare Beans brand by visiting their member profile directory page in the Idaho Preferred Farm + Food Finder: