Co-founder of popular Trader Joe’s meat sticks brand learned ‘resilience’ from immigrant family upbringing on LI

The co-founder of a popular meat sticks brand sold at Trader Joe’s says his upbringing in an immigrant family on Long Island taught him resilience — one of the many things that has led “Chomps” to runaway success.

Growing up, Chomps co-founder Pete Maldonado would often snack on greasy, gas station jerky sticks. The Manorville native knew he wanted to one day become a personal trainer, but it wasn’t until he began working with clients in the Hamptons that he realized his favorite snack and love of fitness were at odds.

“I ate more gas station snack sticks or meat sticks than I’d ever like to admit,” Maldonado, 42, told The Post, later adding, “But once you start training and reading labels in a different way, I realized I shouldn’t be eating those.”

At a time when Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig dominated the market of accessible healthy options, Maldonado couldn’t help but wonder why no one had invented a “better for you” version of his favorite gas station snack. Not long after, Chomps was born.

Maldonado’s pitch for a “healthier” beef jerky impressed Rashid Ali, who quickly became his business partner in Chomps after the two met in 2011 during a poker night at a mutual friend’s house in Chicago.

“We were just chatting about business and I realized that I need someone like him to be successful. He’s good with the finance and operations side of things. I like the big ideas, sales, marketing,” Maldonado told The Post over the phone from his home in Naples, Florida. “Our skills really complemented each other.”