Last updated on December 12th, 2024
Whole Foods Market has announced the participants for its latest cohort in the Local and Emerging Accelerator Program (LEAP), celebrating brands selected for the program’s Early Growth track.
Launched in 2022, LEAP advances Whole Foods Market’s core value of supporting local and emerging suppliers by creating mentorship opportunities for cohort participants with Whole Foods Market experts, accompanied by months of educational programming.
Selected participants may also qualify for a $25,000 equity investment from a donor-advised fund managed by the Austin Community Foundation, with proceeds benefiting Whole Foods Market’s private operating foundations.
The 2024 Early Growth cohort consists of 10 innovative brands not yet available in Whole Foods Market stores: Aahana’s, Bowlcut, Date Better Snacks, Edenesque, Freezcake, Geem, Maté Party, Sam + Leo, Sibeiho, and Tuyyo Foods.
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After completing the 12-week curriculum, these suppliers’ products will be considered for inclusion on Whole Foods Market shelves in their own cities or regional areas. This year, Whole Foods Market’s Local and Emerging Brands team reviewed more than 1,600 applications for the Early Growth cohort, marking a 60 percent increase from 2023.
“Our Local and Emerging Brands team is thrilled to have selected a mix of diverse founders and products from various backgrounds for this year’s Early Growth program track,” said Alyssa Vescio, SVP of merchandising.
“Connecting with new brands and business owners who are hungry to grow allows our team to diversify product selection in stores, support small businesses, and stay committed to our local communities. We look forward to seeing these 10 brands strive for continued growth and carve their path to success through Whole Foods Market’s mentorship.”
About Whole Foods Market
Founded in 1980, Austin, Texas-based Whole Foods Market is a natural and organic foods retailer and the first certified organic national grocer in the U.S. Part of Amazon’s Worldwide Grocery Stores, Whole Foods Market serves customers in more than 530 stores across the U.S., Canada and the U.K.
