Distribution: Actual Veggies Partners With Eurest; Zesty Z Heads to Meijer

Actual Veggies Becomes Eurest’s Exclusive Veggie Burger Supplier

On the heels of its $7 million Series A round, chef-crafted veggie burger brand Actual Veggies has announced a partnership with Eurest, a leader in the non-commercial foodservice space that serves the majority of Fortune 100 companies.

As part of the deal, Eurest will serve Actual Veggies’ Black Bean Burger across its 1,600 marketplaces nationwide. The product contains 8 grams of protein and is crafted with black bean, carrot, red onion, yellow onion, red pepper, parsnip, oats and chickpea flour.

The partnership represents a strategic expansion beyond retail into large-scale foodservice for Actual Veggies and will increase brand visibility, consumer trial and overall impact, according to co-founder and co-CEO Hailey Swartz.

“From the beginning, we set out to redefine what a veggie burger could be for retail – clean-label, vegetable forward, and restaurant quality in taste. Being selected by Eurest, a foodservice leader that serves the most influential companies in the world, validates that our veggie burger is the gold standard,” Swartz told Nosh via email.

For Eurest, the deal builds on its transition of key menu items to products with high-quality ingredients that contribute to the health and well-being of guests, per a press release. The move also follows the company’s research into consumers’ motivations behind choosing plant-forward menu options.

The partnership with Actual Veggies stemmed from Eurest Chief Culinary Officer Chris Ivens-Brown’s discovery of the brand at his local grocery store. Impressed by the product’s flavor, texture and clean ingredient profile, he submitted an inquiry to the brand to learn more.

“It was clear to me that this was something special. That initial experience sparked a partnership rooted in our shared commitment to offering Eurest’s guests plant-based options that are not only delicious but also full of real, nutrient-dense ingredients,” said Ivens-Brown.

Looking ahead, Eurest will rotate other burgers from Actual Veggies’ portfolio as limited seasonal promotions. Beginning this spring, its marketplaces will feature “various preparations” of Actual Veggies’ Super Greens burger.

In recent years, foodservice has emerged as an essential channel for plant-based brands to test new products and drive awareness to boost consumer adoption. A 2022 report by the Good Food Institute (GFI) found that plant-based meat buyers made approximately 30 more trips to foodservice locations than the average consumer.

Beyond foodservice, Actual Veggies’ products are available in over 7,000 retail doors nationwide, including Albertsons, Kroger, Whole Foods Market and Costco, among others.

Mini Melts Grows C-Store Presence

Beaded ice cream maker Mini Melts is deepening its presence in the convenience store sector through a new distribution partnership with Royal Farms.

The brand’s frozen novelty treats will be available in six flavors in nearly 300 Royal Farms locations across Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

“As Mini Melts continues to grow its presence in the convenience retail space, partnering with a brand like Royal Farms is a natural fit. Both of our brands are committed to quality, innovation and delighting customers,” said Dan Kilcoyne, CEO of Mini Melts, in a press release.

Founded in 2004, Mini Melts produces a portfolio of ice cream novelties crafted with 14% butterfat. Its products are available at 35,000 points of distribution nationwide, including Walgreens, CVS Pharmacy, 7-Eleven and Speedway.

GOOD GOOD Rolls Out to Sprouts

GOOD GOOD, an Icelandic low-sugar breakfast products brand, has landed its Concord Grape and Raspberry Jams in Sprouts Farmers Market stores nationwide, expanding its stateside presence.

“Walking into the store and seeing our jams on the shelf…honestly hard to describe. From startup hustle to nationwide shelves – it’s been quite the journey,” said co-founder and CEO Gardar Stefansson in a LinkedIn post.

Founded in 2015 as an alternative sweetener brand, GOOD GOOD made its U.S. debut in 2020. In 2022, the company closed a Series B round led by European capital group Strategic Investment Advisors (SíA), “strengthening [the brand] shareholder group for the future.”

Kencko Goes International

Smoothie powder producer Kencko is going international, making its debut at Auchun stores in Portugal (ICYMI: all Kencko products are produced in Portugal). The launch includes the brand’s instant fruit and vegetable smoothies, patented mixer bottles, iced lattes, vegan protein smoothies and breakfast oats.

“We exist as a company to help people enjoy more fruits and veggies and waste less. Our dream has always been to make our products accessible to the mass market, and we knew that Kencko would need a powerful retail partner to help us achieve this,” said Tomás Froes, CEO, in a statement. “We are beyond excited that Auchan saw the opportunity to work with us, massively expanding both our audience and our mission to provide additive-free, convenient, and sustainable organic fruit and vegetable products.”

Zesty Z Heads to Meijer

Zesty Z is introducing its Perfect Pita Chips in Sea Salt and Parmesan Garlic flavors to all 280 Meijer stores across the Midwest, per a LinkedIn announcement.

The Brooklyn, New York-based brand’s snacks feature twice-baked fresh pita and contain 25% fewer carbs (14 grams) and five times more fiber (6 grams) per serving than its competitors.

Earthbar Teams With The EVERY Company

Food tech company EVERY has joined forces with juice and smoothie bar chain Earthbar to introduce its protein-boosted beverage syrup in two new limited-edition drinks: Protein Mocha Latte and Protein Matcha Latte.

EVERY’s syrups are powered by OvoBoost, the company’s taste- and texture-neutral egg white protein that contains 10 grams of protein and zero sugar. The brand claims the ingredient contains zero grittiness and chalkiness.

“We’re changing the way protein shows up in drinks. Let’s create what’s next – together,” the brand wrote in a LinkedIn post.

Hain Celestial Hits Dollar General

Hain Celestial Group has partnered with Dollar General to increase the accessibility of its better-for-you snack offerings.

The company’s Garden Veggies Straws began hitting Dollar General shelves in late March and are set to roll out to more than 20,000 stores later this month.

“This channel expansion exemplifies our mission to making healthier living more accessible and convenient, and we’re looking forward to the new opportunities it unlocks for us to reach and inspire even more consumers,” said John Ozgopoyan, chief customer officer at Hain Celestial, in a statement.