Vermont Smoke & Cure Announces Expansion Into Whole Foods Markets for the Back-To-School Season

HINESBURG, Vermont (July 16, 2025) – Vermont Smoke & Cure, the acclaimed maker of artisanal smoked meat products, has announced an expansion into Whole Foods markets nationwide. Their Top Sellers Mini Stick Variety Pack will be hitting shelves in more than 500 Whole Foods locations starting in late-July, introducing customers to their premium meat snacks for the back-to-school season. 

"We are excited to partner with Whole Foods to introduce our artisanal, all-natural meat snacks to their customers," said Michael Schafer, Commercial Business Lead at Vermont Smoke & Cure. “Our Mini Stick Variety Pack is a great fit for Whole Foods shoppers—made with hormone-free, responsibly sourced meat and hand-cut in our Vermont smokehouse. Our meat snacks are naturally allergen- and gluten-free, and offer a great source of protein to children and adults alike."

The Customer Favorites Mini Stick Variety Pack features 12 half-ounce meat sticks in the following flavors:

• BBQ Beef: Seasoned with molasses, paprika, and slow-smoked to perfection for a tangy and sweet barbecue flavor.
• Original Beef & Pork: A classic meat stick that combines premium cuts of beef and pork with natural ingredients like fresh cracked pepper, garlic, and mustard seed for an irresistible flavor.
• Hickory-Smoked Uncured Bacon Pork: This stick is lightly sweetened with Vermont maple syrup and smoked over hickory chips for the perfect balance of smoky, salty, and sweet.

This distribution follows the brand’s recent multi-retailer expansion into Walmart, Kroger, and Giant Food stores in Q2 2025, which represented the largest distribution growth in the company’s history. Earlier in 2025, they announced growth in Costco’s Northeast Division, which introduced the brand's new Hickory Smoked Premium Beef Stick to Costco members across the region.

“It’s encouraging to see strong interest from major national retailers,” said Schafer. “Consumers today want high-quality protein snacks made with clean ingredients, and our handcrafted, slow-cooked meat snacks deliver on that promise. Vermont Smoke & Cure is driving strong unit velocity in the fast-growing meat snacks category.”

Vermont Smoke & Cure products maintain the brand's strict quality standards, using meats free from antibiotics and added hormones, with no artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors. Each meat stick is crafted in small batches, slow-cooked for over 18 hours, and smoked with real hardwood chips in the company's Vermont smokehouse.

"Cutting corners just isn’t in our nature," said Schafer. "We take our time to craft meat sticks that not only replenish, they reward. Our retail partners appreciate our commitment to craftsmanship, and consumers recognize the difference in every bite."

Since 1962, Vermont Smoke & Cure has been handcrafting premium, slow-cooked meat snacks in their Vermont smokehouse. The brand continues to innovate while staying true to its Vermont heritage and values.

For more information about Vermont Smoke & Cure and its products, visit vermontsmokeandcure.com.

ABOUT VERMONT SMOKE & CURE

Since 1962, Vermont Smoke & Cure has been crafting smoked meats and meat snacks in their Vermont smokehouse. The one-of-a-kind meat snacks are made with meat free from antibiotics and added hormones, artificial colors, preservatives or flavors. Available nationwide at natural food stores, supermarkets, mass merchandisers, club stores, and ecommerce retailers. All products are available online. For more information, visit vermontsmokeandcure.com.