A Midwest-based better-for-you grocer, Fresh Thyme Market is celebrating supplier partners who promote its brand pillars of quality, experience and community.
The 2025 Freshest MVP (Most Valuable Partner) Awards recognize partners that fuel innovative products and drive category and brand growth. Through their partnerships, these companies advance Fresh Thyme’s mission to provide fresh, healthy food and stay ahead of evolving customer trends.
“Our vendor and service partners are vital to our success,” said Liz Zolcak, president of Fresh Thyme Market. “They share our values, embrace innovation and collaborate with us to deliver a meaningful shopping and working experience. That’s what true partnership looks like.”
Selected by Fresh Thyme Market teams across all departments and product categories, the 2025 Freshest MVP honorees are:
- Martori Farms – The company recently helped Fresh Thyme launch two exclusive melon varieties – Sundrop and Honey Pear – along with several other seasonal melons that generated sales and category growth along with distinctive fruit.
- Primal Kitchen – It has held innovative promotions and engaging in-store and digital displays that drive shopper excitement. Ensuring innovation reaches the shelves quickly, it is consistently first and fast with new item launches.
- Across an assortment of categories that includes fast-growing active nutrition, Ancient Nutrition drives industry-leading market-share growth. This team is a joint business partner, providing category insights and in-store retail support along with growing sales. A steward of regenerative agriculture, Ancient Nutrition has also been instrumental in educating Fresh Thyme employees and customers about this holistic approach to food and farming.
- Delivering Certified Angus Beef products, National Beef supports Fresh Thyme with on-time deliveries, reliable communication and pricing that balances quality with value. As a result, Fresh Thyme customers gain access to restaurant-quality eating experiences in the convenience of their own homes.
- A forward-thinking product strategy from Blount Fine Foods means Fresh Thyme customers are met with ready-to-enjoy options that reflect the latest culinary trends. Its hot soup program and fresh, convenient meal solutions have fueled growth in these categories, resonating with health-conscious consumers.
- Unistar Plastics has supplied Fresh Thyme stores with essential packaging to help support the quality of products and the store experience for both teams and customers. This vendor also recently helped test and refine a new bag program.
- The Radian Group’s data insights have sharpened Fresh Thyme’s merchandising strategies, creating a positive experience for customers. Additionally, it built a vendor portal that supports collaboration and sets the stage for more cohesiveness between the merchant team and vendor partners.
- Baker Tilly is a partner in tax and audit services, advising Fresh Thyme Market with expert guidance throughout the year.
- Xerox IT Services ensures store operations run smoothly through reliable, responsive support and tailored technology solutions that streamline workflows and empower staff. Its approach to system upgrades and maintenance enables Fresh Thyme teams to deliver high-quality customer experiences every day.
- Renaissance Maintenance provides quality floor and concrete repair work with flexibility, helping to keep Fresh Thyme’s distribution center run without disruption.
- As media and creative agency of record, Acadia has elevated the Fresh Thyme brand. Its creative direction has driven awareness and engagement across every touchpoint, bringing the grocer’s community values to life.
To learn more about Fresh Thyme Market, its leadership and community-driven mission, visit freshthyme.com.
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