Distribution Roundup: Sprouts Helps New Brands Grow

From globally-inspired sauces to gluten-free cookies, here’s some of the industry’s latest distribution news.

Yai’s Thai Expands Beyond Condiments With Launch of Curries in Sprouts

Following a reformulation and rebranding, the Denver-based, ready-to-eat global sauce maker, Yai’s Thai, is launching its new line of thai coconut curry sauces nationally with natural grocer Sprouts Farmers Market. The new line of green, yellow and red coconut curries debuted at Expo West earlier this year and will retail for $6.99 a jar.

“We are excited that Sprouts sees our brand vision and how it aligns with their consumer,” Leland Copenhagen, CEO and co-founder, said in a statement. “As a brand, we are very committed to our values, so it is very exciting when a retailer as influential as Sprouts shows support for that vision.”

Like Yai’s Thai’s salsas and sauces, the new curries are non GMO, paleo and Whole30 approved. The addition brings the Thai-inspired brand’s presence beyond condiments and sauces, and into meals.

EFFi Foods Brings Plant-Based Probiotic Snacks to Sprouts

The Eco Friendly Foods Initiative, known as EFFi Foods, is bringing their probiotic-forward products to Sprouts. The Los Angeles, California-based brand announced last week that the grocer will now carry its Probiotic CareBars in three flavors.

The retailer addition brings the plant-based snack maker’s store total to 625 since its launch in 2012. The company touts ingredients intended to prevent disease and support gut and digestive health, and promotes production methods intended to reduce the company’s carbon footprint.

“EFFi stands for Eco Friendly Foods Initiative so the name itself explains why our company is a great fit for large, national organic grocery chains,” Coury Clemens, director of business development, told NOSH. “EFFi is based on the principles of a circular economy and we are committed to organic and plant-based product offerings.”

Sweet Loren’s Gluten Free Cookies Find Sweet Spot on Shelves

Sweet Loren’s expanded its line in May with what the brand described as the first take and bake cookie dough that is gluten-free, vegan and nut-free. The chilled, pre-shaped dough launched nationwide in Publix, but as of last week the brand added over 2,800 stores, bringing its total distribution to 4,000 doors. Retailers including Kroger, Wegmans, The Fresh Market and Earth Fare have all added the gluten-free line to shelves this summer.

“Our gluten-free Chocolate Chunk is our fastest growing SKU, and potentially on its way to moving into our top moving SKU as it expands across the country,” Founder and CEO Loren Brill told NOSH.

The growth doesn’t seem to be slowing down either, according to Brill. While not on shelves yet, the gluten-free line will enter 700 Ahold stores this October.

Vegy Vida Kids’ Dip’n More Adds Major Retailers

Vegy Vida is growing up as quickly as its consumers. Since it’s recent launch just three months ago, the vegetable dip is now available in over 2,000 retailers including 1,400 Walmarts, as well as Albertson and Safeway stores.

Josh Young, founding partner of Vegy Vida, said in a statement that he expects the kids’ dip to be in 11,000 stores before the end of 2017. To support its rapid growth, Vegy Vida is in the process of completing a $1.8 million fundraising round, with an additional $5 million Series A round expected to close in 2018.

Birch Benders Brings Paleo Line to Target

Birch Benders may be a favorite in the natural channel, but the pancake and waffle-mix maker is looking to be a top competitor in conventional, too. The company announced last month that it has expanded the distribution of its paleo mix to over 1,500 Target locations, many of which already were carrying the brand’s other breakfast mixes

Target will sell the paleo variety, which is , made from a blend of cassava, coconut, and almond flours, for $5.99

Other notable distribution news includes:

  • Maine-based coffee company Wicked Joe Organic Coffees announced last month that its fair-trade coffees will now be available in Sprouts nationwide. Wicked Joe Organic Coffees are now available in over 2,200 grocery stores nationwide, including 17 grocery chains and over 250 independent retailers.
  • Made in Nature, a Boulder-Based natural snack company, announced last month that its organic dried fruit and snacks are now available in Walmart stores nationwide.
  • Pure Spoon, which makes cold-pressed purées for babies, can now be found in Walmart dairy cases. The company announced last month that its eight flavors are currently available at approximately 500 of the retailer’s stores.
  • Pure Growth announced last month that it’s bringing its Breakfast Biscuits and Breakfast Biscuit Bites to Target consumers nationwide. The company has expanded its existing product offering at Walmart stores nationwide and online with the addition of three new SKUs: chocolate chip oatmeal bites, cinnamon brown sugar oatmeal bites, and crispy rice squares.
  • Shoppers can now find Nutty For Me and Nutty For You Bixby Bites on shelves in 120 Hannaford supermarket locations, Bixby and Co. announced last month. The bites are the Maine confectioner’s snacking version of its best-selling, full-sized candy bars.