Distribution: IQBAR Sees Growth In Walmart; Nowadays Makes Retail Debut at Whole Foods in Pacific Southwest

IQBAR Sees Growth In Walmart

After a successful pilot test last June, functional food company IQBAR is more than doubling distribution of its vegan nutrition bars in Walmart stores.

The product is now available in 4-count multipacks (MSRP $6.97) in four flavors – Banana Nut, Almond Butter Chip, Peanut Butter Chip and Chocolate Sea Salt – in 1,800 Walmart stores nationwide. The bars will be stocked in the “Keto protein bar section” in grocery, IQBAR founder and CEO Will Nitze said.

Made with pea protein, nuts and protein crisps, the bars contain 12 grams of protein and 3 grams of net-carbs per serving and also include lion’s mane, vitamin E and flaxseeds to assist with brain health.

IQBAR’s expanded presence at Walmart, its first and only mass retailer, brings its total locations to roughly 7,500 doors, with placements in Kroger, Sprouts, Wegmans, Jewel-Osco, Sam’s Club and Rite Aid.

“Our channel strategy for 2022 is simple: get our bars in front of consumers who want to buy them. Walmart checks that box in a big way,” Nitze said. “We’ve never been overly concerned about which retailers we launch with first, second, third, etc. – we just want to find great, sustainable partnerships with staying power.

Nowadays Makes Retail Debut at Whole Foods in Pacific Southwest

Plant-based nugget maker Nowadays made its retail debut at Whole Foods Market in the Pacific Southwest region, the company announced last week.

Founded in 2020, the San Francisco-based company creates better-for-you, plant-based versions of traditional junk foods. Its flagship nuggets are crafted with just seven ingredients, including non-GMO yellow pea protein. Each serving (five nuggets) contains 120 calories and packs 13 grams of plant-based protein.

“We’re so excited to share the news that we are now available at Whole Foods Market across Southern Pacific. Find our tasty, wholesome nuggets in stores now across Southern California, Arizona, Southern Nevada and Hawaii,” the brand wrote in a LinkedIn post.

According to a press release, the B-Corp Certified company’s production process “enables an accelerated path to cost parity with animal meat, ultimately making nutritious, plant-based meat attractive and more accessible to people.”

Nowadays plant-based nuggets are now available for $13.99 per 16 oz. box at Whole Foods Market across the Pacific Southwest. They will roll out into additional retailers later this year.

SpudLove Expands Retail Footprint with Whole Foods Market Nationwide

SpudLove expanded its retail footprint with the addition of 509 Whole Foods Market locations nationwide.

The expansion comes after a year of rapid growth forSpudLove, during which it quadrupled its sales from its fiscal 2021 to 2022. With the addition of the Whole Foods stores, SpudLove is currently available in over 5,000 brick-and-mortar locations across the country.

Launched in May 2020, Oregon-based SpudLove first made its debut in Whole Foods Market in Portland, Oregon and Seattle. It is the only farmer-owned and farmer-grown USDA organic potato chip, the brand says. The brand also claims its potato chips are 10% thicker than traditional kettle chips.

Available in five varieties – Sea Salt, Barbecue, Sea Salt and Vinegar, Jalapeno and Cracked Pepper – the chips have a suggested retail price of $3.99 per 5 oz. bag. In addition to Whole Foods Market, SpudLove’s chips can be found at retail stores in the Pacific Northwest, California and Texas, as well as nationally online at Amazon, Thrive, Hive and Hungryroot.

Simply Delish Adds 8 SKUs to Kroger Stores

Better-for-you, Keto-certified dessert brand Simply Delish continued its growth in the conventional retail channel with its debut in 1,635 Kroger doors nationwide. Kroger shoppers can find four instant pudding flavors – Chocolate, Vanilla, Banana and Strawberry – and four jel flavors – Strawberry, Raspberry, Peach and Orange – on store shelves this month.

“Too often, sugar-free is just a cover for artificial sweeteners and other chemical-based ingredients,” said Simply Delish co-founder and CEO, Martin Parmensky, in a press release. “Our products are proof you can have it both ways: a treat that is every bit as tasty as it is healthy, crafted with superior natural ingredients for better flavor, guilt-free!”

The news comes as consumer demand for keto-friendly foods continues to grow; the global ketogenic market size is projected to expand at a CAGR 5.5% from 2020 to 2027. Simply Delish’s full range of jels and instant puddings are plant-based, Keto-certified and sugar free.

Mother-In-Law’s MUL Lands in 250 Sprouts Market Locations

Mother-In-Law’s MUL has landed in 250 Sprouts Market locations nationwide.

Launched in May 2022, Mother-In-Law’s plant-based MUL is a drinkable, probiotic liquid that features fermented kimchi liquid topped with diced vegetables and contains zero sugar and zero calories. According to the brand, MUL promotes microbiome health and reduces inflammation with its naturally occurring probiotics.

“The effervescent beverage may be compared to savory kombucha, but because it has no sugar and no calories, it is healthier than kombucha and most other sources of probiotics,” the brand said in a press release. “The traditional kimchi drink can be enjoyed in many ways: straight from the bottle, sipped from a bowl, or served with cold noodles.”

Available in two varieties – Mild and Spicy – the drinkable Kimchi is exclusively available in retail at Sprouts Market for $6.99 per 16 oz. jar or online for $67 per 6-pack.

More Notable Distribution News:

• Bobbie became the first organic infant formula brand to land on Target shelves in seven years, the brand announced in a LinkedIn post. The news comes amid the infant formula supply shortage and, according to VP of marketing & communications Kim Gebbia Chappell, “there has never been a more critical moment to launch in retail than now.”
• Vegan protein bar brand Mezcla launched a new flavor exclusively available at Whole Foods Market: Canadian Maple Blueberry Bar.
• Violife has expanded beyond the cheese category with the launch of its plant-based dips at Whole Foods Market. Available in three varieties – French Onion, Spinach & Artichoke and Ranch – the dips have a suggested retail price of $5.29 per 7.05 oz. tub.