Naperville, Illinois-based KeHE Distributors has released its list of “Golden Ticket” winners from its recent TrendFinder event. This was the second event of the year and the first time it was held in person post-pandemic.
Nearly 60 brands were given the opportunity to pitch their products live to KeHE’s category management team. During the event, each brand was allotted 30 minutes to showcase to KeHE why their products and business should join the distributor’s portfolio.
Scoring brands on their ingredients, innovation, taste, scalability, packaging, purpose and passion, KeHE awarded 21 brands a “Golden Ticket,” indicating that each company will take the next steps in the distributor’s onboarding process.
Each selected winner will gain exposure to over 30,000 retail locations in the KeHE distribution network, receive assistance from KeHE experts on navigating distribution and receive promotional programs free of charge. Additionally, TrendFinder gives brands exposure to retailers of all sizes for potential marketing and sales purposes.
Below are a few of the new Golden Ticket Winners:
- Lively Harvest Oat Pancake and Waffle Mix: Its 100 percent oat pancake and waffle mix is made with high quality ingredients that are certified gluten free, non-GMO and kosher.
- Moodify Instant Oatmeal: Instant oatmeal with all natural ingredients. Ingredients include berries, bananas, chocolate, coffee, nuts and probiotics.
- Two Spoons Creamery Keto Ice Cream: This is a handcrafted, locally-sourced and premium low carb/keto ice cream that is spoon-soft in the freezer, filled with mix-ins.
- Naked Life Non-Alcoholic Cocktails: By distilling botanicals with quality ingredients and balancing art with science, Naked Life creates crafted spirits that provide all the things you need to celebrate the moment, without the alcohol.
“We launched our TrendFinder events several years ago in-person because we felt a need to connect one-on-one with innovative brands and hear their stories,” said Rachelle Radcliffe, director of brand development at KeHE. “As a next generation distributor, we understand the importance of foraging for innovation and bringing that innovation to our retail partners. We can do that through our TrendFinder events.”
Applications are now open for KeHE’s next TrendFinder event taking place May 2-6.
To apply, visit kehe.com/may-2022-kehe-trendfinder.
