# Native American Natural Foods

Buffalo based meat and fruit bars based on the Wasna tradition of the Lakota

## Elevator pitch
From the Oglala Lakota people of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, we are dedicated to a world filled with healthy foods that add to preservation of our lands and culture. By returning buffalo to the plains, we also seek to improve the economy for Native Americans. Our first products are a line of Buffalo based meat and fruit products based on the Wasna tradition of the Lakota people. Our food bars are designed to help you live life powerfully, in balance with mind, body, and spirit.

- Canonical URL: https://wefunder.com/tankabar
- Entity ID: wefunder:company:15990
- Last updated: 2026-06-12T05:00:06Z
- Generated at: 2026-06-13T03:12:32Z

## Quick facts
- $3,502,447 revenue in 2016
- Sold in Whole Foods, REI, Costco, & over 6500 locations in 50 states
- Created the meat bar snack category in 2007
- Compound annual growth rate of 42.5% over 5 years
- Contribution margins of over 40% and grossmargins over 30%
- "B Corp Best for the World" 2016 honoree by the B Corporation
- Only nationally distributed Native American food product certified authentic by the Intertribal Agriculture Council as Native made
- 2011 Social Venture Network Innovation Award winner

## Active fundraises
- wefunder:fundraise:11281: 4(a)(6) successful (USD)

## FAQ
1. **I noticed that at least one of the founders was on LinkedIn; however, there is no presence of Native American Natural Foods. IMHO I believe the name of the company should have its own account on LinkedIn as well as Twitter. This would generate more interest and information, re...**
   - Thank you for the suggestion Larry and your investment. We will look into creating an account.
2. **Great product and mission! But given the headwinds from corporate competitors and low profitability projections, how do you support the $8 million valuation?**
   - Dan, Tanka products are the third best-selling product in the natural jerky/meat snack category. Setting the evaluation at just over 2.2 times annual earnings is far below what other top brands in the category have traded at. Thank you for your interest in Tanka. Mark Tilsen, President
3. **I hope you go out there and kick some ass. Every fiber of my nervous system is cheering for you. What are your expectations on product range? Are you looking to widen that to beverages for example? What's your marketing strategy? will you have a testimonial from the sports wor...**
   - Alessandro, thank you for your support. Many of those issues we are dealing with but we need to stay focused on our marketing and sales right now. Since the huge food industry conglomerates are now in our category we have to maintain our position in our retailers. We don't have the marketing dollars to keep up with their promotions but we do have creativity to help combat their marketing.
4. **How often will financial reports be available to the public or investors?**
   - We anticipate to provide financials report yearly to all investors.
5. **Long time product user, love it! I'm having a hard time seeing how you can project revenues going from $3.5m in 2016 to $12.1m in 2020, but only earning $300k in 2020? Not sure how $300k in EBITDA can validate a $8m valuation?**
   - The evaluation is based on opening up new channels and with those channels come expenses of initials opens, marketing and support which then decreases the net earnings. For the next 5 years we are focused on growing the sales avenues which increases the marketing and channel expenses so earnings will be lower until we stabilize the growth.

## Team
- Karlene Hunter (Cofounder and CEO)
- Dawn Sherman (Business Manager and COO)
- La Vern Valdez-Carroll (National Sales Director)
- Chris Wynne (Director of Business Process)
- Rachel Hunter (Customer Service)
- Linda Crider (Director of Marketing)
- Olivia Casey (Supply Chain Manager)
- Mark Tilsen (Cofounder and President)

## Recent posts
- Would love to receive updates (2019-01-16T18:41:32Z)
- With community and tradition, Tanka Bar fights for its market share (2017-08-21T20:07:03Z)

## Q&A
- Q: I noticed that at least one of the founders was on LinkedIn; however, there is no presence of Native American Natural Foods. IMHO I believe the name of the company should have its own account on LinkedIn as well as Twitter. This would generate more interest and information, resulting in possibly more investors and more sales. Just a suggestion from your newest small investor.
  - A: Thank you for the suggestion Larry and your investment. We will look into creating an account.
- Q: When will the investors receive the perks? A precise date (rather than a few weeks) would be nice information to have. Also, can you provide an update on the use of the fund raised? Like many investors, I believe in and support what you do. Good or bad, I just want to know the facts.
- Q: I was wondering if there was any update on how the company is doing?
- Q: I just saw an article about Tanka - https://www.hcn.org/articles/tribal-affairs-how-the-indigenous-bison-bar-was-appropriated-by-epic-provisions. it got me looking at Tanka's current presence on internet - and there is a 501(c)(3) Tanka Fund soliciting donations. So - what happened to the company we invested in? anyone know what happened to our "stock"? I kind of assumed I bought an expensive ball cap (donors of $500+ are now offered a NZ wool blanket), but would have liked to hear something about them.
- Q: Can you give an update on how the recent Niman Ranch agreement will affect or include wefunder original investors and supporters?
- Q: What does the recent news re: "Candide Group led NANF’s capital raise on behalf of the Libra Social Investment Fund" mean for the We-Funders who have also invested in the company?
- Q: Hi Would you please send our periodic emails to investors to let us know progress on our investment and how you are further advertising to get other investors so that you might reach your goal. Thanks
- Q: Will Investors with SAFE Equity Documentation receive some sort of 2018 report and or K-1 if applicable.
- Q: HOW ARE WE DOING?
- Q: Just wondering when perks are going to go out? Thanks
- Q: It's been over five years! Any updates at all about this company and how it's doing? (I never received any of the promised "benefits," which is ok.) But I'm curious to know what's happening.
- Q: Apparently, this company went out of business or someone doesn't care about investors....
- Q: Wondering why there is no communication from you,,,,,, We have helped support your ideas here and want it to work out for all concerned.......Any news or info? Even bad news is better than none......
- Q: Hi. There has been more than enough time go by. Any update or information on our company? Was told about big investment group several months ago. What happened with this?
- Q: Has anyone received an update at all on how the company is doing?