{{Short description|American company producing snack foods}} {{Not to be confused with|Lesser evil}} {{Infobox company | name = LesserEvil, LLC | former_names = | logo = File:LesserEvil company logo.png | logo_caption = | logo_size = 180 | type = Private | predecessors = | successor = | foundation = {{start date and age|2004}} | founder = Michael A. Sands | location_city = Danbury, Connecticut | location_country = U.S. | key_people = Charles Coristine, CEO | area_served = North America | industry = Food | products = Snack foods, organic foods | brands = | services = | revenue = approaching $100M in 2023<ref name="Larson-2023" /> | operating_income = | net_income = | num_employees = 250<ref name="Larson-2023" /> | parent = | divisions = | subsid = | owner = The Hershey Company | homepage = {{URL|www.lesserevil.com}} | dissolved = | footnotes = }} '''LesserEvil''' is an American snack company located in Danbury, Connecticut founded in 2004.
It makes a variety of packaged snack products including prepopped popcorn and extruded snacks. The firm promotes its products as a healthy alternative; in 2023 it was sued by a consumer for misrepresentation. It was acquired by The Hershey Company in 2025.
== History == 200px|thumb|right|LesserEvil's packaging in 2014 LesserEvil was founded in 2004 by Michael A. Sands,<ref>{{cite news|last=Moran Alterio|first=Julie|date=August 13, 2008|title=Snack company markets to presidential race|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-journal-news-lesserevil-founder-mich/131265720/|work=The Journal News|location=White Plains, New York|access-date=September 5, 2023}}</ref> Gene Hackman, and Jim Cramer in Tuckahoe, New York.<ref name=GF>{{cite news|url=https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Judges-like-what-they-savor-in-LesserEvil-3442484.php|title=Judges like what they savor in LesserEvil|last=Lee|first=Richard|date=March 8, 2012|website=The Stamford Advocate|publisher=Hearst|access-date=September 2, 2023}}</ref>
Their initial product offering was a kettlecorn<ref name=GF/> and expanded into multiple varieties.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Briskin |first=Lizzy |title=I'm a chef. I tried 3 popular types of bagged popcorn to see which is the best. |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/whats-the-best-popcorn-at-the-grocery-store-chef-reviews-2022-4 |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2006 they introduced a second line, Krinkle Sticks,<ref>{{cite web|title=The LesserEvil History|website=LesserEvil.com|date=2009|publisher=LesserEvil Brand Snack Co.|url=http://www.lesserevil.com/category/lesserevilhistory|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090812134826/http://www.lesserevil.com/category/lesserevilhistory |access-date=September 3, 2023|archive-date=2009-08-12 }}</ref> and later lines of extruded curls and puffs intended to compete in the cheese puff category.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Matthews |first=Melissa |date=2019-09-04 |title=These Egg White Curls Are Basically Paleo Cheetos |url=https://www.menshealth.com/nutrition/a28914456/paleo-snacks-egg-white-curls/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Men's Health |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bricker |first=Tierney |date=2021-03-22 |title=15 Healthy and Satisfying Snacks for Spring |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1250907/15-healthy-and-satisfying-snacks-for-spring |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=E! Online}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Watrous |first=Monica |date=29 August 2021 |title=New sustainable snacks debut from LesserEvil Healthy Brands {{!}} 2021-09-29 {{!}} Baking Business |url=https://www.bakingbusiness.com/articles/54776-new-sustainable-snacks-debut-from-lesserevil-healthy-brands |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Baking Business |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Larson-2023" />
In 2011 Charles Coristine, a former bond trader,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/robdube/2019/09/03/searching-for-a-smarter-snack-how-this-mindful-leader-created-a-lesserevil/?sh=aed32b45d46c|title=Searching for a Smarter Snack: How This Mindful Leader Created A LesserEvil|last=Dube|first=Rob|date=September 2, 2019|website=Forbes|publisher=Advantage Media|access-date=April 2, 2024}}</ref> acquired LesserEvil<ref name="Larson-2023">{{cite web |last=Larson |first=Andrew |date=June 26, 2023 |title=Nearing $100M in annual revenues, CT's LesserEvil expands organic snack foods line, readies new in-state manufacturing plant |url=https://www.hartfordbusiness.com/article/nearing-100m-in-annual-revenues-cts-lesserevil-expands-organic-snack-foods-line-readies-new |access-date=September 2, 2023 |website=Hartford Business Journal |publisher=New England Business Media}}</ref> and opened its Danbury factory the following year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dailyvoice.com/connecticut/danbury/business/lesserevil-snacks-opens-a-new-factory-in-danbury/580408/|title=LesserEvil Snacks Opens A New Factory In Danbury|last=Smith|first=Alissa|date=May 30, 2013|website=Daily Voice|publisher=Cantata Media LLC|access-date=September 3, 2023}}</ref> At this point, the company's headquarters was still located in Wilton, Connecticut, but operations moved to Commerce Park in Danbury by 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for The Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2013|author=David W. St. Hilaire|publisher=City of Danbury Department of Finance|date=2013|url=https://www.danbury-ct.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/73|access-date=September 2, 2023}}</ref> The factory is certified organic.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Marcy |date=2023-03-15 |title='Lesser Evil' taking over the world with healthy snacks |url=https://www.wfsb.com/2023/03/15/lesser-evil-taking-over-world-with-healthy-snacks/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=WFSB |language=en}}</ref>
LesserEvil underwent a rebrand in 2019, which emphasized "mindful" snacking, reiterated by the guru mascots featured on the packaging.<ref>{{cite web |last=Cabrey |first=Erin |date=July 13, 2020 |title=LesserEvil Moves Into New Categories, Expands Distribution |url=https://www.nosh.com/news/2020/lesserevil-moves-into-new-categories-expands-distribution/ |access-date=September 3, 2023 |website=Nosh |publisher=NevNET}}</ref>
In April 2022, the company acquired energy bar maker R.E.D.D. Bar.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/21129-lesserevil-enters-bar-category-with-acquisition-of-redd-bar|title=LesserEvil enters bar category with acquisition of R.E.D.D. Bar|last=Nunes|first=Keith|date=April 13, 2022|website=Food Business News|publisher=Sosland Publishing|access-date=September 3, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Larson-2023" /> The following year, LesserEvil sold a “significant minority” stake of the business to Aria Growth Partners, with the intention to further develop manufacturing and retail distribution.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harvey |first=Simon |date=2023-09-21 |title=LesserEvil snack maker gets capital injection from Aria Growth Partners |url=https://www.just-food.com/news/lesserevil-snack-maker-gets-capital-injection-from-aria-growth-partners/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Just Food |language=en-US}}</ref>
According to the ''Hartford Business Journal'', the company was expected to have close to $100M in revenues in 2023 and was one of the largest producers of organic snacks in the US.<ref name="Larson-2023" />
In April 2025, Hershey signed an agreement to acquire LesserEvil.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sousa |first1=Rafaela |title=Hershey to acquire organic snack maker LesserEvil |url=https://www.foodbev.com/news/hershey-to-acquire-organic-snack-maker-lesserevil |website=www.foodbev.com |publisher=FoodBev Media |access-date=4 April 2025 |language=en}}</ref> This transaction was completed in November.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.marketscreener.com/news/hershey-completes-acquisition-of-lesserevil-expanding-consumer-choice-ce7d5ed9d989f522|title=Hershey Completes Acquisition of LesserEvil, Expanding Consumer Choice|work=MarketScreener|access-date=2025-11-24|language=en}}</ref>
== Ingredients == Carla Lalli Music, writing for ''Bon Appetit'', dietician Wan Na Chun, speaking with ''Eat This, Not That'', and dietician Mascha Davis speaking with ''Prevention'' noted the short list of ingredients for multiple popcorn products as a positive.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Music |first=Carla Lalli |author-link=Carla Lalli Music |date=2020-04-28 |title=I Love Everything About This Popcorn (Except the Name) |url=https://www.bonappetit.com/story/lesser-evil-popcorn |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Bon Appétit |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kunik |first=Kelsey |date=2024-01-16 |title=10 Best & Worst Bagged Popcorns, According to Dietitians |url=https://www.eatthis.com/healthy-bagged-popcorns/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Eat This Not That |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Taylor |first1=Marygrace |last2=Haase |first2=Madeleine |date=2023-10-06 |title=These Healthy Snacks Ideas Are Nutritious and Taste Great |url=https://www.prevention.com/weight-loss/g19576831/healthy-snack-ideas-weight-loss/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Prevention |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Recognition == In 2022 ''Prevention'' named their Sun Popper Sour Cream and Onion product as their Best Protein Puff<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weg |first=Arielle |date=2022-04-08 |title=The 40+ Newest Healthy Packaged Foods Our Test Kitchen Editors Love |url=https://www.prevention.com/food-nutrition/a39663045/prevention-healthy-food-awards-2022/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Prevention |language=en-US}}</ref> and ''Good Housekeeping'' named them their Best Vegan Puffs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sasson |first=Stephanie |date=2022-06-28 |title=The 2022 Good Housekeeping Healthy Snack Awards |url=https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/diet-nutrition/a40158034/healthy-snack-awards-2022/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Good Housekeeping |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2023, ''Self'' name the company's organic popcorn the best bagged popcorn.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Madaus |first=Sarah |date=2023-02-24 |title=The Best Chips, Crackers, Bars, Pretzels, and Popcorn for When You're Feeling Snacky |url=https://www.self.com/story/pantry-awards-best-snacks-2023 |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Self |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2024, the company's Homer’s Blend Organic Popcorn won the best popcorn award in ''Good Housekeeping''’s Best Snack Awards.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Sassos |first1=Stephanie |last2=Yung |first2=Alyssa |date=2024-04-02 |title=Our Biggest and Best Snack Awards Are Here |url=https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/diet-nutrition/a60006353/best-snack-awards-2024/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Good Housekeeping |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Controversies== In 2023, LesserEvil was sued for misrepresenting its snacks as "healthier" than others.<ref>{{cite web |last=Steinberg |first=Julie |date=March 2, 2023 |title=LesserEvil Sued for 'Healthier' Claim on Allegedly Fatty Snacks |url=https://news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/lesserevil-sued-for-healthier-claim-on-allegedly-fatty-snacks |access-date=April 2, 2024 |website=Bloomberg Law |publisher=Bloomberg Industry Group Inc.}}</ref>
In 2025, Edward Coristine, the son of LesserEvil CEO Charles Coristine (and grandson of executed KGB officer Valery Martynov),<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-24 |title=Elon Musk’s protege ‘Big Balls’ is grandson of executed KGB agent, report says |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/elon-musk-s-protege-big-balls-is-grandson-of-executed-kgb-agent-report-says-b2703739.html |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref> began working with Tesla CEO Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).<ref>{{Cite web |last1=MacDiarmid |first1=Zoe |date=2025-02-04 |title=Northeastern student identified as engineer for Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency |url=https://huntnewsnu.com/83444/campus/northeastern-student-identified-as-engineer-for-elon-musks-department-of-government-efficiency/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=The Huntington News}}</ref> LesserEvil has distanced themselves from Edward Coristine following controversy over his activities at DOGE and in the private sector.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Feiner |first1=Lauren |title=Popcorn brand distances itself from DOGE employee ‘Big Balls’ after backlash |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/611388/lesserevil-popcorn-edward-coristine-doge-big-balls |website=theverge.com |publisher=The Verge |access-date=19 February 2025}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
Category:Food and drink companies based in Connecticut Category:Companies based in Connecticut Category:Food manufacturers of the United States Category:Food and drink companies established in 2004 Category:Companies based in Danbury, Connecticut Category:Companies based in Fairfield County, Connecticut Category:Privately held companies based in Connecticut Category:Organic food retail organizations Category:2025 mergers and acquisitions Category:The Hershey Company brands