Grower Stories #134: Jill Trinchero

SDK Snacks Focuses on Quality Edibles Fit for Medical and Recreational Uses

The AskGrowers team chats with Jill Trinchero about her woman-owned cannabis brand, SDK Snacks. She talks about how the company was formed and how it has developed itself as a brand that creates quality edibles consistently. Her hand-made cookies are a testament to her brand’s quality. She also talks about Happy Kitchen which is a shared kitchen, industry trends, expansion plans, and why people should look towards investing in the cannabis market. #growerstories

---

I'm a mother, a business leader, an artist, and a creative. I believe that hard work and commitment are the keys to success. I strive to be a role model for my girls – a strong, smart woman in business, who's not afraid to take charge, fail occasionally, stand up for what's right, and embrace success.

---

Tia (AskGrowers) : Tell us how you started SDK Snacks?

Jill Trinchero : SDK Snacks brought the product to the Oregon medical market in 2015, and we were one of the first recreational licenses to be issued in 2016. I've been a medical patient for many years, and when recreational use was legalized in Oregon, I decided to share the cookies I had been developing over the years. It was a labor of love. I experimented and developed recipes the way I baked at home: healthy, quality, local ingredients like Bob's Red Mill and Darigold. My focus was and is on quality and consistency. Our products are hand-made and gluten-free, made in our dedicated gluten-free kitchen, Happy Kitchen (we are the original Happy Kitchen, with 2 P’s, not to be confused with any imitators).

I started SDK Snacks and Happy Kitchen simultaneously. Happy Kitchen is a shared kitchen with multiple licenses. I started it as an incubator for small businesses, and our tenants have been very successful. Although the State no longer allows this shared kitchen model, we are grandfathered in and continue to do business. I fought hard for the shared kitchen concept as a way to support small businesses. The cannabis industry shouldn't be limited to those with infinitely deep pockets. If you work hard, you should be able to start a business and succeed.

---

Tia : How does your brand differ from others similar to yours?

Jill : Firstly, quality and consistency. SDK Snacks has been around for a long time as the industry goes, and leads the market in quality and value. Producing an excellent product for a great price is invaluable to the consumer. There is not another company that cares about producing quality edibles like we do.

Secondly, SDK Snacks has been in business in Oregon since before recreational use was legalized, and we are still a woman-owned small local business. We support local businesses because we know that's the right thing to do for our community and the environment. I care about the product, the consumer, and the State. I've lived in Portland, Oregon, since 1996, my daughters were born here, and it's a very special place.

---

Tia : Tell us how you make your cookies? Do you have any specific approaches?

Jill : Our cookies are literally hand-made. Our team is skilled at making really delicious, gluten-free products. We always hope that the care and thoughtfulness we put in comes through in the product.

---

Tia : What's the highest THC % in your cookies? Do you think people should thrive for a particularly high THC % in cannabis edibles?

Jill : After many years in the business, I understand the market demand for a delicious, quality edible product that meets the value-minded or high tolerance consumer's needs. We have 50mg per 10 serving cookies, the maximum dose allowed per package in the State. Dosing is very personal. The worst thing a person can do when consuming edibles is to eat too much! If you are new to edibles, start small (Oregon defines one serving as 5mg and this is a good place to start) and wait until the next day to increase your dose. Sometimes, it can take longer than you expect to kick in.

---

Tia : Are there any brands in your state you appreciate and follow? And in the USA in general?

Jill : There are so many brilliant inspiring people out there with amazing brands - too many to list. I wouldn't want to leave anyone out. I need to give a shout-out to our farm partner, Moto Perpetuo, a local, organic grower, and our partner brand, Purefectionery. We appreciate quality, family-owned businesses, and hard work.

---

Tia : What is your personal cannabis consumption routine? Does it affect your work/ life?

Jill : I joke that I've never been as 'not stoned' as I've been actually working in the business. I never consume cannabis when I'm working, and I work most of the time. I enjoy a cookie once in a while, and I love a good quality flower on the weekend or after work is done at night. I wouldn't say I have a routine. I fit it in whenever I can. I love cannabis and have worked to normalize its use, especially by women.

---

---

Tia : Your top strains to smoke? Why?

Jill : Moto Perpetuo Farm has a strain called Donkey Butter, and it's safe to say it's my favorite. Also, their Cascade Chronic is five-star. To spread the love, I must mention Aroma Cannabis' Mango Haze that came 'dusted' with kief. Whenever I saw it, I would buy as much as I could. It appears to be a thing of the past, though, and that deeply saddens me.

I love Kush strains. Some of my faves are OG Kush, Purple Hindu Kush, Obama Kush, and any fruity Kush. I tend to stay away from Sativa, but Bruce Banner is a favorite for daytime.

---

Tia : What are the 3 main trends in the cannabis industry in 2021 for you now?

Jill : Innovation, product development, and expansion. As a pioneer in the cannabis industry, I have the foundation and the experience to build on my commitment to quality and expand my brands strategically. As a creative, the development of new brands and products is one of my favorite things. This year, I'm working on growing our product line, developing brands, and looking toward expansion.

---

Tia : If you could have a chance to smoke with anyone on this planet, who'd that be and why?

Jill : [tooltip title="William Hugh Nelson" content="American composer, country singer and cannabis activist."]Willie Nelson[/tooltip]. My parents were ultra-conservative. My dad was an original, authentic cowboy. A cattle rancher, bronco rider, bar fighter, and storyteller. He didn't take kindly to pot smokers or "long-haired hippies". I’m a child of the ’70s, but he loved Willie and so did I! When I was able to choose my own piano music I learned to play and sing "To All The Girls I Loved Before" (recorded by Willie Nelson and [tooltip title="Julio José Iglesias de la Cueva" content="Spanish singer, songwriter, producer and former professional football player."]Julio Iglesias[/tooltip]). My mom took me to see Willie with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in the early ‘80s. Sadly, I haven't seen him play since, but I hope to someday. I met his son Lucas at a music festival in NorCal (swoon!). I grew up with Willie's music which bridged a generation in our family. I love that he too is a pioneer in the cannabis industry. I'd definitely choose Willie.

---

Tia : Do you plan to expand your brand with time? If yes, what do you plan to add to your product line?

Jill : Yes, we are constantly innovating! We have several products coming online for SDK in Oregon…stay tuned! We also have enormous opportunities for expansion in the US for cannabis and hemp.

---

Tia : In your opinion, what's the current situation with cannabis stocks in the USA?

Jill : Building momentum. As the laws change and the industry expands nationally and is supported by new laws around decriminalization, the value of cannabis stock can only go up. It will be interesting to see what larger, more industrialized companies enter cannabis and acquire smaller growers and processors. Being the sole woman owner of a small cannabis business, I feel, is very unique.

---

---

Tia : Do you think people should invest in the cannabis market at all? Why?

Jill : Yes, it's the future. According to recent polling by Gallup, the county is moving to full legalization, and 68% of Americans support legalization. Time to get on board.

---

Tia : What brands would you invest money in, in the cannabis market?

Jill : SDK Snacks, of course. We have so many opportunities awaiting us, including national expansion. Anyone interested in what we have going should reach out to me directly.

---

Tia : Do you personally want to get into the cannabis stock market?

Jill : I'm focused now on my company and making SDK Snacks the best we can possibly be. I owe this to my phenomenal team. I also want to continue providing for and being a positive role model to my daughters and perhaps handing it off to them someday.

---

Tia : What are your predictions on the cannabis industry for the next 5-10 years?

Jill : I continue to work to "normalize" cannabis in society and remove the stigma around cannabis use, especially for women. There are many applications of cannabis, from medical to hemp and CBD for humans and pets. As a woman-owned company, I pride myself on supporting women in this industry, from owners of cannabis-related businesses to consumers. I predict that women's leadership in cannabis will grow and steer innovation within the industry. And adult women with ages ranging from 21 to 101 across the country will be key consumers of using cannabis products, demanding a variety of the best quality products possible.

---

You can follow SDK Snacks at:

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Thank you so much, SDK Snacks team, for taking the time to do the interview. To learn more about them, head on over to their website.