Distribution Roundup: Barvecue Launches at Sprouts; Whoa Dough Expands to Festival Foods

Adrianne DeLuca

 

Barvecue Launches at Sprouts Nationwide

North Carolina-based brand Barvecue introduced two of its plant-based, wood-smoked barbecue products in 360 Sprouts Farmers Market locations this week. The pickup p marks the brand’s first national retail account. Barvecue founder and CEO Lee Cooper noted that Sprouts “is a great partner aligned with our brand mission.”

“2021 has been a strong year for Barvecue,” Cooper said. “In a year of incredible growth and expansion, distribution across the United States with our delicious, plant-based, wood-smoked Barvecue in 360 Sprouts Farmers Markets is one of this year’s most important milestones.”

Sprouts will carry the brand’s “already-sauced” Pulled BVQ and its gluten-free Naked BVQ varieties in the frozen aisle for a suggested retail price of $8.99. The brand also makes a chopped format for its sauced and Naked BVQ varieties which are available on the brand’s website.

Barvecue recently opened “the world’s largest plant-based smokehouse” in North Carolina and Cooper said the 10,000-square-foot facility will be used to support Barvecue’s plans to expand across grocery, foodservice and enter additional channels. The company hopes to grow its retail footprint, which currently includes Central Market and independent retailers, to 700 doors by the end of 2021.

Whoa Dough Launches at Festival Foods

Better-for-you cookie dough bar maker Whoa Dough introduced five varieties of the brand’s plant-based bars to Wisconsin-based grocer Festival Food. According to a press release, this expansion marks the first step in the brand’s growth plan for nationwide distribution to “retailers with strong ties to their local communities.”

“Whoa Dough was created with the idea that health is all about balance,” Whoa Dough founder Todd Goldstein, said in a press release. “The bars are an ideal match for the product lines at Festival Foods because they are dedicated to providing quality products to the communities they serve.”

Whoa Dough’s Chocolate Chip, Sugar Cookie, Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip and Brownie Batter varieties can be found in the gluten-free section of Festival Foods’ 33 locations across Wisconsin.

Ella’s Flats Expand To South Florida Publix Locations

Florida-based seed crisp maker Ella’s Flats announced this week its snack crisps are now distributed to 300 Publix locations across its home state. The vegan seed crisps are grain-free and made with no added sugar. The crackers are currently also sold at retailers in Florida, New York and California.

“We are thrilled to now be in Publix across South Florida,” founder Ellen Macks said in a press release. “I came up with the recipes myself after eating Keto and whole foods since I was 18. I was craving satisfying food with real nutrition and none of the bad processed stuff. I use simple foods with just a few pure ingredients and an Old-World recipe.”

Rowdy Bar Launches At Whole Foods

Superfood and prebiotic bar maker Rowdy Bar introduced three SKUs of its yacon root-powered line of nutrition bars to Whole Foods locations across California and northern Nevada.

Whole Foods will carry the brand’s Keto Peanutty Dark Chocolate, Chocolate Coconut Cashew and Sunflower Butter N’ Berries varieties, while Ralph’s will stock the Keto Chocolaty Cookie Dough, Peanutty Dark Chocolate and Blueberry Almond Tart flavors. The Whole Foods’ pickup follows the bars’ entrance into 465 Ralph’s locations this spring.

Rowdy Bars seeks to stand out in the crowded bar category by only utilizing easy to understand, cleaner ingredients, such as almond butter, egg white protein, whey protein, organic yacon syrup, grass-fed bovine collagen and monk fruit extract. The bars are available in 12-packs retailing between $28 to $32.99.

SIMULATE Introduces NUGGS to Stop & Shop

After landing its first national retail accounts in April, SIMULATE continues to grow distribution for its plant-based nugget brand NUGGS. The brand debuted in 350 Stop & Shop locations this week.

The company closed a $50 million capital raise in June which it said it would use to support new product innovation and retail expansion.

Since launching its wheat and soy protein-based nuggets direct-to-consumer in 2019, NUGGs has grown distribution stateside and in Canada, launching with retailers including Loblaws, Sobeys and Whole Foods in June.