Distribution: Current Foods Debuts In Retail; Revive Superfoods Delivers To The Workplace
Current Foods Debuts In Retail
Plant-based seafood maker Current Foods is moving to its next stage of growth, swimming beyond foodservice, direct-to-consumer and pop-ups to bring its sea-free sliced salmon to retail stores. The product will roll out to numerous retailers across New York City, including Showfields, Fairway Market and Gourmet Garage, as well as Berkeley Bowl and Raley’s in Northern California.
The brand selected salmon for its retail expansion due consumer’s familiarity with the format, according to Adrienne Han, Current’s VP of Consumer Marketing. She said the brand previously didn’t believe consumers were comfortable enough with the concept of plant-based seafood for it to garner high velocity on-shelf. However, after selling out faster than expected at numerous retail pop-ups, she said that theory was quickly blown out of the water.
Current also recently onboarded its first VP of Retail Sales as it looks to continue expanding in the channel, said Han. The company plans to establish itself firmly in natural and specialty stores before expanding into other retail channels.
The company raised $18 million in a funding round earlier this year to expand distribution and introduce new products. Current also makes a raw, plant-based tuna product which is available online and in food service via numerous restaurant partnerships.
“We have worked hard to achieve the same taste and mouthfeel of the traditional fish, as we don’t want consumers to make any compromise in enjoyment,” said Jacek Prus, CEO and co-founder of Current Foods, in a press release. “At the same time, our smoked salmon is a far more sustainable way to consume seafood without dropping a single anchor into any of our heavily compromised oceans. One bite, and we are confident that retailers will have salmon-loving customers for life.”
Revive Superfoods Takes Delivery To The Workplace
Smoothie and healthy meal-delivery company Revive Superfoods announced the launch of its Corporate Wellness Program earlier this month. The subscription-based food company is making their frozen smoothies, oats and soups available to North American employers. The new venture will deliver Revive products weekly or monthly to workplaces as well as offer direct delivery for remote work employees for $5.40 per unit.
“Our mission is to provide accessible superfoods that are sustainably sourced without compromising taste and price. We are thrilled to be able to continue to act on this mission, supporting leading companies across North America in their pursuit of smarter workplace health and wellness initiatives” said Yousuf Soliman, CEO of Revive Superfoods, in a company press release.
The Revive Superfoods Corporate Wellness Program extends the Ontario, Canada-based company’s mission to make healthy eating more convenient and accessible. Revive launched in 2018 as a ready-to-eat, smoothie food company. The company has branched out from frozen fruit beverages to also offer oat and acai bowls, vegetarian grain bowls, frozen desserts, snack bites and soups.
Bloom Makes Retail Debut At Target
Plant-based nutrition brand Bloom announced the launch of its Greens & Superfoods Powder at 600 Target stores nationwide today. The launch marks the company’s first expansion beyond direct-to-consumer channels.
The brand was founded by Mari Llewellyn and Greg LaVecchia in 2019 and has expanded its online portfolio to include collagen supplements, whey proteins and pre-workout mixes. Its flagship Greens & Superfoods product will be available in Berry flavor, in a 25-count container for $29.99. Its larger formats as well as a Coconut flavor will launch on target.com
“From the beginning, Greg and I felt like our customer was always a Target shopper, and our goal has been to make Bloom’s Greens products accessible to consumers across the country,” said Llewellyn, in a press release. “When I began my own fitness journey, I was constantly in search of the all-in-one perfect supplement. I went to Target for all my shopping needs, but wished I could find a greens supplement to help me reach my wellness goals. To now see my own greens supplement on the shelves of Target is a dream come true, and I couldn’t have hoped for a better partner.”
African Dream Foods Launches in Sprouts
Hot sauce and seasoning company African Dream Foods is now available in about 90 locations of Sprouts Farmers Market in California. The South African specialty food brand started selling its gluten-free African Ghost Pepper, Sweet Dream and Lemon & Garlic Peri-Peri sauces in the grocery retailer in September.
African Dreams was launched in 2021 by a team of wildlife photographers and enthusiasts to offer non-GMO, fair trade vegan hot sauces and seasoning salts. For every 5 oz. bottle sold at Sprouts, the company will donate 10 cents to African wildlife conservation organizations.
“When ADF began exploring a retail strategy, it was of critical importance to find a grocer with a shared commitment to the give-back aspect of business, especially as today’s consumer increasingly gravitates toward brands that align with their values and priorities,” said African Dreams founder and managing director David Schmunk, in a press release. “With African Dream Foods’ focus on farm-fresh produce, authentic African flavor, with a mission to support wildlife conservation and fair-trade farming practices, Sprouts was a perfect choice.”
Rachael Ray Teams with Kroger’s Home Chef Meal Kits
Kroger’s Home Chef brand announced it is launching a new meal kit line with celebrity-chef and cookbook author Rachael Ray. The new SKUs will be available each month in more than 1,300 stores through mid-March.
Home Chef’s first meal kit in the partnership features Ray’s recipe for a Steakhouse Burger with Dijon mushrooms and onions. It will be followed with other easy-to-follow recipes like Pork Lo Mein with carrots and bok Choy as well as Sloppy Joes with oven fried among others.
Home Chef is a subsidiary of Kroger and is available in 2,200 of the parent company’s stores. The Chicago-based meal solutions brand was launched in 2013 and was acquired by the grocery retailer in 2018 for $200 million.
Z&Z Brings Middle Eastern Flatbreads to Mid-Atlantic Whole Foods
Middle Eastern food company Z&Z has landed a distribution deal to sell the brand’s Manoushe frozen flatbreads in 20 Whole Foods locations throughout the Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia regions.
The deal marks the first major distribution partnership for Manoushe, a former NOSH Pitch Slam finalist. Whole Foods will now carry the company’s three flatbread varieties: Meatless Meat Pie, Za’atar and Cocktail. The ready-to-eat in five minute flatbreads retail for $12.99 each for Meatless and Za’atar and the half cheese/half za’atar flavor Cocktail will be priced at $10.99.
Z&Z was founded in 2016 selling Middle Eastern spices and flatbreads at farmers markets. In 2021, the company opened a restaurant in Rockville, Maryland.
