Distribution: ButcherBox Beefs Up With Target, Jesse & Ben’s Heads To Sprouts

ButcherBox Beefs Up Distribution With Target.com

Direct-to-consumer meat and seafood seller ButcherBox has expanded its digital reach by launching on Target Plus, Target’s third-party curated marketplace. As part of the distribution agreement, the mass retail chain’s website will carry occasion-centered ButcherBox offerings that range from $99 to $189, and include themes like Kid’s Favorites and Breakfast Essentials.

The partnership enables ButcherBox to achieve greater household penetration by removing the brand’s subscription fee that often turns off would-be consumers. Now, the brand will be able to move more boxes one at a time.

“As we look to further build the ButcherBox brand, our focus is on getting intentionally sourced protein into the homes of more Americans and eliminating the subscription barrier,” said Reba Hatcher, CCO at ButcherBox, in a press release. “Target Plus has done an incredible job curating brands and products that will add value to their guests’ online experience.”

Founded in 2015, ButcherBox delivers 100% grass-fed, grass-finished beef, free-range organic chicken, pork raised crate-free and wild-caught seafood directly to consumers’ doors. In recent years, the company has invested in partnerships and marketplaces – including DoorDash’s DashMart – to fuel growth by meeting customers where they are.

The potential in online grocery is clear. In March, sales climbed 21% year-over-year to $9.7 billion in March, primarily fueled by delivery, per the latest Brick Meets Click/Mercatus Grocery Shopping Survey.

ButcherBox will seamlessly connect into the Target Plus ecosystem through the Shopify Marketplace Connect app, per the announcement.

“Being a Shopify-based ecommerce company, our relationship with Shopify was integral to launching on Target Plus. Target’s demographic of families and health-conscious individuals aligns perfectly with our target market and the seamless integration between the two platforms,” said Hatcher.

TiNDLE Loads Into Kroger

Plant-based chicken producer TiNDLE locked in a distribution deal with Kroger this month that will bring its stuffed chicken product to over 500 of the grocer’s banners including Fred Meyer, Fry’s Food Stores, Harris Teeter, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith’s.

The deal builds on TiNDLE’s growing U.S. momentum over the past year, with the entire portfolio notching a “9-fold increase” in its retail presence, per a press release. TiNDLE currently makes 8 SKUs of plant-based breaded chicken patties, boneless wings, nuggets and tenders.

“Our launch with Kroger, one of America’s largest retailers, is a major milestone for our young company,” said Timo Recker, CEO and co-founder of TiNDLE Foods, in a press release. “With this expansion and introduction of Stuffed Chicken in their store, we are able to reach more customers than ever before, while remaining deeply committed to offering the best-tasting, nutritious, and quality plant-based proteins we can create.”

The brand’s stuffed chicken product, introduced last year, is now available in Parmigiana and Tikka Masala varieties. The frozen, “golden-brown pockets” can be prepared in less than 10 minutes and contain 10 grams of protein per serving.

TiNDLE’s full array is sold in over 1,300 grocery stores spanning 36 states including Bristol Farms in the Los Angeles area, Wegmans on the East Coast, GIANT and MARTIN’s stores in the Mid-Atlantic and all Giant Eagle locations across the Midwest. The brand also sells on Hungryroot, VeganEssentials, FreshDirect and GoodEggs and has distribution relationships with UNFI, KeHE and Dot Foods.

Nature’s Fynd Brings New Fy Bites To Plantega

Fungi-based food company Nature’s Fynd is rolling out its new Spicy Indian Fy bites to all 50 Plantega locations across New York City this month where the falafel-style items will be served with a side of Fabalish Vegan Mayo.

Fy Bites – which are also available in Zesty Greek, Herby Thai and Savory Italian flavors and rolling out in retail later this year – contain 14 grams of protein, 5 grams of fiber, and one-third cup of vegetables per serving. The vegan product is also top nine-allergen free and certified gluten-free

“With Fy Bites, we weren’t trying to mimic meat or dairy—we wanted to create something entirely new,” said Thomas Jonas, cofounder and CEO, in a press release. “Fy Bites are their own thing: deliciously satisfying and made with our Fy Protein plus real veggies and spices. We set out to make something truly delicious and nourishing – and we’re excited that Plantega now has them on the menu.”

The brand’s existing products including Dairy-Free Fy Yogurt and Meatless Fy Breakfast Patties are available at Whole Foods stores across the country.

Pitaya Brings Regenerative To Frozen Aisle

Frozen food brand Pitaya introduced a new Regenerative & Organic Frozen Fruit Line, exclusively at Whole Foods Market this month. The line includes three SKUs – Strawberry, Blueberry and Mango – and are certified through third-party verifier Regenified.

“We spend a lot of time trying to understand the initiatives and goals of our retailers so we can create and cultivate valuable partnerships,” said Chuck Casano, CEO and co-founder, in a press release. “It was serendipitous that after developing regenerative products behind the scenes for over a year that Whole Foods Market mentioned it would be an upcoming focus for them.”

Inputs for the new line are sourced from 277 acres of Certified Regenified land on three family farms in Chile and Peru. Pitaya Foods produces a wide range of frozen fruit and vegetable products that are available in over 15,000 retail stores, including Albertsons, Costco, Giant Food, Kroger, Publix, Sprouts, and 5,000 food service outlets nationwide.

“Regenerative farming goes beyond organic – it’s a movement transforming the food industry,” Casano added. “As a supplier it’s very exciting that even after working with Whole Foods Market for over 10 years, we can still find ways to strengthen the partnership and drive innovation that is better for the health of the customer and planet.”

Nightingale Grows East Coast Footprint

Ice cream sandwich brand Nightingale is gearing up for warmer weather, bringing its eight flavors – Banana Pudding, Cookie Monster, Chocolate Blackout, Strawberry Shortcake, Birthday Cake, Mocha Brownie, Key Lime Pie, and Classic – to Whole Foods Market locations up and down the East Coast.

“From the beginning, our dream has been to bring high-quality, chef-driven ice cream sandwiches to more people, and Whole Foods Market has always been a key part of that vision,” said Hannah Pollack, President and CEO, in a press release. “Expanding our presence with the nation’s leading natural and organic foods retailer is an incredible honor and a testament to the quality and passion behind every sandwich we make.”

The Richmond, Va.-based brand uses 14% butterfat ice cream, freshly baked cookies, homemade inclusions and nut-free ingredients to craft its frozen indulgent treats. The brand was created by former sous chef Pollack and her husband Xavier Meers, beginning first in a restaurant pool hall and later expanding to over 4,500 chain retailers, restaurants and event venues.

Sunday Supper Brings Mozza Frito to GIANT

Sunday Supper is rolling out its plant-based Mozzarella Sticks (aka Mozza Fritto) to GIANT stores across Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, its first step into a major conventional grocery chain. The launch brings the brand’s retail footprint to 600 doors nationwide.

Launched direct-to-consumer in 2021, Sunday Supper made its brick-and-mortar retail debut in 2022 in Fresh Market stores across the Southeast after realizing that “shipping frozen food is not sustainable” due to the high cost.

Beyond Fresh Market and GIANT, the brand’s products are also available at retailers like MOMs, Central Market and Bristol Farms. According to founder and chief brand and product officer Richard Klein, Sunday Supper is on track to be in 1,000 doors by year’s end.

Jesse & Ben’s Heads to Sprouts

As the conversation surrounding seed oils continues, frozen seed oil-free fry slingers Jesse & Ben’s has landed its lineup in Sprouts Farmers Market stores nationwide, per a LinkedIn post by co-founder Jesse Konig. The supermarket chain will carry all four of the brand’s flavors: Tallow & Sea Salt, Rosemary Garlic, Classic Garlic, and Sprouts-exclusive Sweet Potato Tallow.

The Classic Garlic and Rosemary Garlic products are crafted with avocado oil, while the Tallow & Sea Salt and Sweet Potato Tallow varieties use grass-fed beef tallow. All four SKUs are made with non-GMO potatoes.

Ivy’s Reserve Unveils Whole Foods Exclusive

English cheddar producer Wyke Farms has introduced Ivy’s Reserve Salted Farmhouse Butter into the U.S. The new product, crafted with fresh cream in Great Britain, is exclusively available in select Whole Foods Market stores through August.

“We are thrilled to introduce the authentic taste of Ivy’s Reserve Salted Farmhouse Butter to Whole Foods Market butter lovers across America. Adding Ivy’s Butter to our portfolio of international products meets the growing demand from consumers seeking superior imported cheese and butter products,” said Josh Rosen, senior brand manager for FrieslandCampina US Consumer Dairy, distributor of Ivy’s products in the U.S.

The product is made using 100% self-generated renewable energy generated on the company’s farm. Wyke claims to be the largest AD independent energy generator in the U.K. and a net positive producer of self-generated energy from AD and solar PV used in the operation.

More distribution news across the industry:

• Hero Bread is launching into all 2,200 Albertsons retailers nationwide, expanding its door count to 6,000.
• Clean Simple Eats’ Protein Powder and Greens + Superfoods lines are rolling out to select Target stores across the county.
• Just Ingredients is introducing 12 products – including protein powders, electrolytes and pre-workout formulas – at Sprouts Farmers Market stores nationwide.
• Electrolyte drink tablet company Plink! has announced a new partnership with CVS.
• Nichols Farms will distribute 2 oz. and 6 oz. packs of its no-shell pistachios to 600 Love’s Travel Stops across the country.