Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Chitarra Pastaria a business or a nonprofit organization?
We’re a Cambridge, MA-based startup built to compete on product quality, craft, and operational excellence - not donations or fundraising. Our mission is powered by an autism-spectrum workforce, but we operate like any high-performing food company: we invest in our team, reinvest our profits, and grow by making exceptional pasta that customers love.
What roles at Chitarra are filled by young adults on the autism spectrum?
In addition to culinary roles like production, quality control, packaging, inventory, and fulfillment, our autistic team members also support marketing, social media, customer service, recipe development, sales, events, and our website.
We build roles around each person’s strengths and interests, and as our startup grows, so do the opportunities for our team to take on meaningful, skill-building work across the company.
Is my pasta made by a team member on the autism spectrum?
Some of our pasta is made directly by young adults on the autism spectrum.
When needed, we also produce certain batches in a regulatory-controlled production facility to meet volume or compliance requirements. While our team may not physically make those specific batches, they are deeply involved in every part of the process: coordinating with the production facility, overseeing quality assurance, managing orders and shipping, and ensuring our shapes, recipes, and chef-level standards are followed exactly.
No matter where a batch is produced, your pasta reflects the craft, care, and talent of our entire Chitarra team.
What percentage of your team members are on the autism spectrum?
At this time, over 75% of our team members are on the autism spectrum: something we’re incredibly proud of as we continue to grow our inclusive workforce who identify on the autism spectrum.
