Distribution: Pasta Rummo Goes National With Whole Foods Market; Real Good Foods Lands in Publix

Pasta Rummo Goes National with Whole Foods Market

Pasta Rummo, which touts itself as the first pasta worldwide with a third-party “al dente” certification, has gone national with Whole Foods Market. Consumers can now find the brand’s 11 classic and gluten-free pastas at the retailer, including its Shells and Mezzi Rigatoni, which are exclusive to WFM through the end of this year.

“Whole Foods Consumers care about quality and look for new products to taste, so the idea behind this launch is to offer something exclusive for them,” a brand spokesperson told NOSH in an email. “We chose two iconic items that are great for many different dishes.”

Pasta Rummo was founded in 1846 in Benevento, Italy by Antonio Rummo. The U.S. division of the 177-year-old business is currently run by president Antonio Rummo, the sixth generation of the family to operate the brand.

Today, the pasta giant is sold in more than 60 countries and boasts a portfolio of over 25 SKUs including gluten free, egg nest shapes and lasagne. The company first started focusing on its U.S. sales around 2019.

“We have seen a strong growth rate in Europe for the premium pasta segment and we were one of the main factors in this growth. We are seeing the same opportunity [in the U.S.] and we would like to share our knowledge and passion with a big audience that is today more willing to cook,” the spokesperson said.

Looking ahead, the brand seeks to continue its focus on distribution across both natural retailers and food service channels in an effort to grow premium pasta consumption. Aside from WFM, Pasta Rummo’s products can be found in regional chains such as Publix and Stop & Shop as well as independent stores through specialized premium distributors.

According to NielsenIQ, Pasta Rummo was the fastest-growing brand in the U.S. pasta market in the 52-week period ending April 2023.

Neuro Gum Grows Retail Footprint with Albertson’s

Functional gum and mint maker Neuro Gum has expanded its retail footprint with the addition of 250 Albertson’s stores nationwide, bumping up the brand’s total store count to 10,000.

“Our mission has always been to help everyone do more and get more out of every day,” said Neuro co-founder and CEO Kent Yoshimura in a press release. “We want to change the way people think about how they maximize their daily aspirations by offering products that taste great and provide a healthy, easy-to-consume type of energy and clarity.”

Neuro currently produces three distinct product lines. The Energy & Focus line of gums and mints– available in Peppermint and Cinnamon flavors – features caffeine, L-theanine, and B vitamins to help focus the mind and provide mental endurance. Meanwhile, the Calm & Clarity line of mints – available in Honey Lemon & Ginger Chai varieties – are formulated with GABA, Vitamin D3, and L-theanine to “optimize and clarity of mind,” the brand claims. Neuro also offers Healthy & Vitality mints in Passionfruit and Blueberry Guava flavors

In addition to Albertson’s, Neuro’s products are available at Whole Foods Market, CVS, Walmart, Meijer and on Amazon.

Real Good Foods Launches New Entrees, Lands in Publix

The Real Good Food Company, a health and wellness frozen food company, has expanded its Global Entrees platform into Publix. Additionally, the company has announced the launch of two new frozen entree flavors: Tika Masala and Korean BBQ.

“We are grateful to Publix for providing us with the opportunity to make our Global Entrees accessible in 1,200+ of their stores. The expansion is another step forward in our mission to improve human health by making nutritious foods, made with less sugar, less carbs and more protein,” said Real Good Foods executive chairman Bryan Freeman in a press release.

The news comes after the company last year opened a second production facility in Bolingbrook, Illinois after bringing the majority of its manufacturing in-house in an effort to improve its cost structure, margins and profitability. Production capacity was expected to account for a $200 million increase in net sales by the end of 2022.

Ralston Family Farms Expands Partnership With WFM, Unveils Brand Refresh

In conjunction with a “significant” brand refresh, family-owned rice brand Ralston Family Farms has expanded its national distribution partnership with Whole Foods. The refresh comes after a consumer research study found that shoppers emphasized the importance of distinguishing the various flavors and textures of the brand’s rice varieties.

Available in Basmati, Jasmine, Nature’s Blend, Golden, Purple, Red, Brown, White, Golden Grits and Nature’s Blend Grits varieties, the Arkansas-based brand said in a press release the updated packaging “highlights [its] respect for the land and the nourishment it provides, providing rice […] that promotes a responsible food system – from seed to spoon.” The new look provides a cleaner and clearer label, placing more emphasis on the rice varieties and their nutritional benefits as well as a renewed focus on sustainability.

A-Sha Noodles Hits Sprouts, WFM

AAPI-owned noodle brand A-Sha, known for its patented 100-year-old legacy noodle recipe from Tainan, Taiwan, has hit the shelves of Whole Foods and Sprouts stores.

Available exclusively in Whole Foods is the brand’s new collection inspired by BT21, a group of eight animated characters co-created by South Korean boy band BTS and global creative agency Line Friends. The line features BT21 x A-Sha Galaxy Noodles with Galaxy Spicy Sauce and BT21 x A-Sha Street Style Noodles with Dan Dan Noodles and Dream Team Scallion Sauce.

Meanwhile, Sprouts stores across the Golden State will carry eight A-Sha SKUs including Mandarin (traditional medium noodle), Hakka (wide flat noodle) and four noodles made in collaboration with Sanrio’s Hello Kitty and Friends: Hello Kitty Noodles with Supercute Soy Sauce, My Melody Noodles with Friendly Scallion Sauce, Keroppi Noodles with Silly Spicy Sauce and Badtz-Maru Noodles with Sesame Boss Sauce.

More Notable Distribution Gains:

• Better-for-you pasta maker Goodles has landed its Lucky Penne, Loopdy-Loos and Curveballs varieties in Whole Foods Market nationwide. Packaged in neon pink boxes, the pastas start at $4.49 per box.

• Everything Legendary has expanded the distribution footprint of its plant-based burgers with the addition of 850 Publix stores spanning Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
• Danish plant-based food brand Naturli’ made its U.S. debut with the launch of its vegan butters in H-E-B stores across Texas. The brand’s products are crafted with ingredients such as cocoa butter and almond butter.