How to Find and Support Veteran-Owned Food Brands

More shoppers are looking for veteran-owned brands in the grocery aisle, but the label can mean different things. Here's how to tell when a brand is truly veteran-owned, and what to look for on the shelf.

What “veteran-owned” actually means

The strongest signal is certification. A Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) is a designation recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration. It means the business is majority-owned and controlled by a service-disabled veteran, not just using military imagery in its marketing.

Questions worth asking about any brand

• →Is the company actually owned and run by a veteran, or just veteran-themed?
• →Does it hold a recognized certification like SDVOSB?
• →Does it share a clear, verifiable founder story?
• →Is the product made in the U.S.?

Where Be Free fits

Be Free Ice Cream was founded by Chris Fettes, a former U.S. Navy SEAL, and is a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and an SBA 8(a) Business Development Program participant. Every pint is made in the U.S. with real ingredients.

Remembering Kyle Milliken

Be Free was founded in memory of Kyle Milliken, a SEAL Team Six operator.

How to support veteran-owned food brands

The simplest way is to buy the product and tell people about it. Be Free pints are available for café pickup. Online direct sales are planned but not live yet. Grocery distribution is in development.