Distribution: The New Primal Rolls Out to Costco; Oishii Lands in ShopRite

The New Primal Inks Deal with Costco

Charleston, S.C.-based meat snack purveyor The New Primal will bring its Snack Mates Chicken & Maple Mini Sticks to over 350 Costco stores across the country beginning in January. The Costco-exclusive product will feature a larger package of 20 mini sticks (SRP $12.99) versus the original packaging that contains five.

The snack, made with all-natural chicken raised without added hormones or antibiotics, contains 3 grams of protein and just 1 gram of sugar per serving.

“The Costco members asked, and we listened. We’re excited to bring our Snack Mates to Costco members, furthering our mission to provide clean, convenient, and delicious protein options that fuel active lifestyles,” said Jason Burke, founder and CEO of New Primal, in a statement. “This partnership is a significant step in making healthier eating habits more accessible to families across the nation.”

Founded in 2012, The New Primal produces a portfolio of Zero Sugar Meat Sticks in varieties like Spicy Beef and Cilantro Lime Turkey and Snack Mates Mini Meat Sticks in flavors like Chicken and Apple and Chicken Pizza. Alongside Costco, the brand’s products are available on Amazon, Instacart, and Thrive Market and in over 6,000 retailers nationwide, including Walmart, Whole Foods, and CVS.

Oishii Hits ShopRite Stores in the Tri-State Area

After closing its Series B funding round at $150 million last month, New Jersey-based indoor vertical farming company Oishii has landed its ultra-premium strawberries in ShopRite locations across the New York tri-state area, expanding its presence along the East Coast.

The retailer will carry the brand’s Koyo and Omakase varieties, which have SRPs of $9.99 and $15, respectively, per standard tray of 11 medium berries or eight large berries. The Koyo berries are available at 31 ShopRite locations in the Tri-State area, while the Omakase berries are only available in select stores.

Oishii’s distribution agreement with ShopRite comes amid a slate of new retail partnerships that will also bring its Koyo berries to Whole Foods stores across the Chicago area and Harris Teeter stores in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Additionally, the brand’s Oishii berries are available at Kured, Boston’s first build-your-own charcuterie shop, through January 1.

Fancypants Brings Its Crispy Cookies to Duane Reade

Women-owned crispy cookie producer Fancypants Baking Co. is expanding its retail footprint with an agreement to distribute its Chocolate Chip and Salted Caramel varieties to 144 Walgreens and Duane Reade locations throughout New York City. The new partnership, which the Walpole, Mass.-based brand called a “joyous start to the holidays,” brings Fancypants’ total door count to 2,250.

The cookies, which are crafted with real pantry ingredients like King Arthur Flour, have a SRP of $5.99 per 5 oz. bag.

African Dream Foods Partners With Giant Food

Hot sauce maker African Dream Foods will debut in Giant Food Stores in March with five of its most popular flavors: African Ghost Pepper Sauce, Habanasco (Fermented Habanero Sauce), Bird’s Eye Chili Sauce, Ghost Peri-Peri, and Lemon & Garlic Peri-Peri.

“While the Giant Foods partnership is a major milestone, African Dream Foods’ journey continues to go from strength to strength. The brand is on track to become a household name across the U.S. and continues to captivate the market with its unique product lineup, its dedication to quality, and its mission to support wildlife conservation,” said the brand in a press release.

YoungManDduk Lands in Costco

YoungManDduk is expanding the physical store footprint of its Honey Oranda Snack Bars with a new agreement to distribute its Original Honey, Soybean, and Black Sesame flavors to Costco locations across the Midwest.

The snack bars are inspired by Korea’s beloved “Oranda” dessert and are crafted from puffed wheat blended with honey or syrup, depending on the flavor.

“Shoppers have praised their versatility as the perfect snack for sharing at holiday gatherings, gifting to loved ones, or enjoying as a personal treat. Their rising popularity highlights the growing appreciation for unique, globally-inspired snacks in the U.S.,” said YoungManDduk in a press release.

Other notable distribution gains:

• Knott’s Foods announced that its Fried Pickle Dip is now available at 200 Sam’s Club locations nationwide.

• Gluten-free, plant-based cracker producer Mary’s Gone Crackers has expanded its brick-and-mortar retail footprint with availability at SaveMart and Lucky stores. Consumers can find three of the brand’s best-selling varieties at all locations: Original, Super Seed Everything, and Classic.
• Clean-label frozen mac and cheese maker Myles Comfort Foods has expanded into Bristol Farms and Gelson’s Markets, marking its debut in the Los Angeles market.