Last updated on July 3rd, 2023
Naperville, Illinois-based KeHE Distributors has named the 23 brands selected through its virtual TrendFinder event.
In October, KeHE gave more than 120 suppliers the chance to pitch their products to its category management team. The team reviews products and brands, through KeHE’s TrendFinder events, to determine which ones will best fit KeHE’s innovative product portfolio and presents them to its retailer partners.
During the event, brands were evaluated on ingredients, innovation, taste, scalability, packaging, purpose and passion. Experts identified and awarded 23 suppliers with a ‘Golden Ticket’ indicating they have been selected to join KeHE’s assortment.
The 23 brands will gain exposure to more than 30,000 retail locations and support the distributor’s retail partners in bringing innovation and new products to their consumers. Along with assisting the selected brands with navigating distribution, KeHE will provide supplier promotional programs free of charge.
“We are not only passionate about innovation, but KeHE is taking strategic steps to curate the best item assortment for our retail partners, keeping them relevant, fresh and ahead of the pack,” said Rachelle Radcliffe, director of brand development. “We also understand the challenges brands face as they enter the market, which is why we do what we can to set them up for success.”
Below are the 23 Golden Ticket winners:
- Snacks, cookies, bars and tea – Theo’s Plant-Based, Byte Bars, Mmmly and Asheville Tea Co.;
- Vitamins, minerals and supplements – Further Food, Zenosa Organics and GeoSilica;
- General merchandise – Gear Hugger;
- Frozen desserts – Mountain Fresh Italian Ice and Howdy Homemade Ice Cream;
- Candy and confections – Chomp! Chocolate and Magic Mini Jacks;
- Refrigerated dips – Toasty Dips and Hummus Goodness;
- Shelf stable drinks – Weird Beverages, Inaka Tea, Atomo Coffee and MYND Hemp;
- Marinades and seasonings – Ghana Supreme Sauce and Bearded Butchers; and
- Jams and spreads – Roots Kitchen & Cannery, Kokada and Apicoltura Casentinese.
The next TrendFinder event will occur virtually from Jan. 16-27, focusing on uncovering diverse-owned brands. Brands must be certified as women, minority, LGBT, veteran or disability-owned businesses and must be a new KeHE supplier. Applications for the Diversity TrendFinder event close Dec. 23.
The distributor named 21 additional Trendfinder winners in March 2022.
