Bella Bean Organics Purchased by Coon Rock Farm

Durham has the good fortune to be something of a food mecca in the US.  There are dozens of chef's and restaurants that have received recognition nationally and internationally who work at fine dining properties and food trucks alike.  The connection to great product and educated consumer is strong.  Perhaps such a state of affairs is foreshadowing for a business deal that was signed today.

Farmers and food entrepreneurs Richard Holcomb and Jamie DeMent, announced that they have purchased Durham company Bella Bean Organics. Holcomb and DeMent are part of the founding team behind other successful area food businesses including Coon Rock Farm in Hillsborough, Zely & Ritz Restaurant in Raleigh and Piedmont Restaurant in Durham.  Some may remember the duo from the media flurry surrounding Eno, the restaurant they hoped to open at Rogers Alley in the old fire station opposite Dos Perros along Mangum Street.

Bella Bean Organics, founded in Durham by Sara Houghton, is an online farmer’s market and home delivery service specializing in locally grown, sustainable and organic produce, meats, eggs and artisan specialty foods.

“Purchasing Bella Bean was a natural step for us. Bella Bean has been carrying our produce, meats, and eggs for over three years so we know them well and the fastest growing part of Coon Rock Farm’s business is our own recently introduced home delivery service. By purchasing Bella Bean we are able to take advantage of all the expertise they have developed in home delivery of food rather than reinvent the process on our own," Holcomb said.

He and DeMent plan to expand the geographic delivery footprint for Bella Bean and expand its product offerings. DeMent said, “As local sustainable farmers, we strive to grow as much as possible on the farm for ourselves and for our customers.  But we can’t grow everything, so many products like dairy, spices, fish, coffee, and grains we purchase from other local vendors.  We have invested years in finding sustainable sources that we trust and we plan to make these same trusted items available through Bella Bean so that health and food conscious consumers in the Triangle-area can have a complete selection of sustainable, organic food delivered fresh to their door.”

Looks like Durham might now say that it is where great things happen - right on their doorstep.