Distribution: B.T.R Lands In CIBO, GoodSAM Expands Sprouts Partnership

Nosh Staff Nov. 14, 2023 at 5:37 PM

B.T.R Nation Flies Into CIBO Airport Stores, Raley’s Supermarkets

Superfood bar and truffle cup brand B.T.R. Nation is now available in over 70 CIBO Express Gourmet Markets. The grab-and-go airport retailer will carry two of B.T.R. Nation’s truffle cup varieties – Snickerdoodle and Brownie Batter – as well as three of its bar SKUs – Cinnamon Cookie Dough, Dark Chocolate Brownie and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip.

Along with airports, B.T.R. Nation also entered its first conventional set today at 90 locations of Raley’s Supermarket with the same three bars.

“We were really waiting for this moment,” founder Ashley Nickelsen told NOSH. “We’re a digitally native brand. I built the brand DTC to get customer feedback, to build this loyal customer base where our customers know me as the founder personally.”

Nickelson sees the two new partnerships as a huge step towards B.T.R. breaking out from its DTC roots and achieving retail awareness nationally. The brand is preparing for these new partnerships to potentially fuel more growth in mass and club channel retailers.

Although still “bootstrapped,” B.T.R. Nation finished a small raise this summer to help fund its expansion and is “super confident” in building off the new distribution gains, Nickelson said. The company has split the cost of two new manufacturing machines with its co-packer to keep up with demand.

GoodSAM Coffee Launches New Coffee Exclusively At Sprouts

Sustainable coffee, nut and chocolate brand GoodSAM exclusively launched its new Brave Day Coffee blend in 12 oz. bags in all Sprouts locations nationwide.

Aligning with the brand’s commitment to environmentally sustainable and ethically sourced products, Brave Day is 100% regeneratively grown, Direct Trade, organic and non-GMO Project verified and sourced from women-owned coffee farms in Colombia.

“With consumer accessibility to products like our delicious Brave Day Coffee, our team is helping to combat climate change in a way that feels attainable, ultimately making the move to more eco-friendly products easier for every customer with every sip,” said GoodSAM founder and CEO Heather K. Terry in a statement.

Brave Day joins GoodSAM’s other coffee blends Everyday and Connected Day at Sprouts stores. All three varieties retail for $14.99 per bag. The brand started its partnership with Arizona-based Sprouts Farmers Market last November when it launched its Small Farms chocolate bars in the retailer.

Founded in 2019, GoodSAM’s offers a variety of chocolate bars, chocolate chips, nuts and candy-coated nuts. All the company’s products are direct trade, non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free and keto-friendly and are grown using regenerative farming techniques.

In Other Distribution News:

Harissa Hot Honey has expanded into specialty grocers in the New York City tri-state area including Zabars, Kalustyan’s, Westside Market, Brooklyn Fare, Foodcellar Market, Lincoln Market, Sahadi’s as well as offers its hot honey on Walmart.com and Mercato.
Nakee Butter pouches are now available in Meijer stores nationwide. The 1.34 oz. Cacao and Maple Peanut Butter pouches retail for $2.49 and expand the brand’s adaptogenic nut spreads reach into the Midwestern region.
Launched October 25, fast-casual salad chain MIXT has added warm bowls for the first time to its menu featuring Japanese American sauce brand Bachan’s. The namesake Bachan Bowl uses tofu or chicken, brown rice, veggies and a drizzle of Bachan’s Original Japanese Barbeque Sauce and is available in all MIXT locations for $12.49.
Stepping out of foodservice, hemp-based food company Planet Based Foods is bringing its frozen Southwest and Original Taquitos to all 16 Nugget Markets locations in Northern California. The brand is leveraging its new distribution hub at the UNFI Rocklin warehouse for the partnership.
Plant Based Seafood Co.’s Mind Blown brand has partnered with fourth-generation family-owned wholesaler Sam Rust Seafood. Mind Blown will leverage Sam Rust’s national distribution network to bring its Shelf-Stable Sea Scallops, Maryland-style Crab Cakes, Dusted Shrimp, and Coconut Shrimp plant-based seafood to consumers nationwide.