🛒 Retail Rollouts
🏪 Whole Foods Market debuts its first smaller-format store

Whole Foods Market has opened its first smaller-format store, Whole Foods Market Daily Shop, on September 18 in New York City’s Upper East Side. The 9,101-square-foot store offers an array of local products, grab-and-go meals, a Juice & Java venue, and ready-to-heat sous vide entrees. This move aligns with Whole Foods’ ongoing expansion strategy, introducing a convenient option for urban shoppers with quality and freshness at its core.
☕ Nguyen Coffee Supply prepares for a major retail launch

Nguyen Coffee Supply, founded by Sahra Nguyen, is gearing up for their biggest retail launch yet. Their Vietnamese coffee beans, grown in Vietnam, roasted in Brooklyn, and hand-packed with love, are set to make a significant debut in an undisclosed location next week. Known for promoting Vietnamese coffee culture and the unique Robusta bean, Nguyen Coffee Supply continues to push the envelope in specialty coffee.
🥜 SIBZ officially launches on Amazon

SIBZ, co-founded by Ranya and Tarik Batal, has officially launched on Amazon, marking an exciting milestone for the brand. In a fun ad showcasing the sibling duo’s teamwork, they express their excitement for this new chapter. SIBZ’s Amazon presence allows the brand to reach a broader audience, expanding its footprint in the snacking space.
🍫 Btr.nation expands into Michigan and beyond

Btr.nation, founded by Ashley Nickelsen, has expanded its distribution, now available in Lazy Acres Market, New Leaf Community Market, and Better Health Market. This expansion brings their bars and nut butter cups to Michigan, delighting fans and fulfilling customer requests. With every new store, btr.nation continues its mission to offer better-for-you snacks.
🥨 Brewer's Foods launches upcycled pita chips at Costco

Brewer’s Foods, founded by Kyle Fiasconaro, has introduced their 24oz bags of Rosemary Pita Chips at Costco stores in the Southeast region. Made with extra virgin olive oil and upcycled ingredients, these pita chips represent Brewer’s commitment to sustainability and quality, enhancing the snack selection at Costco with healthier options.
💸 Acquisitions and Investments
🌾 Lotus Foods Secures $22.5M in funding

Lotus Foods secure a $22.5 million investment from Grounded Capital. This funding supports Lotus Foods’ mission to promote heirloom, organic, and regenerative rice cultivation. Lotus Foods has grown its revenues by nearly 20 times over the past 15 years, reflecting a significant achievement for impact-driven businesses.
🎉 News to Celebrate
🌱 Joni achieves B Corp certification, validating its mission

Joni, founded by Linda Biggs, is now officially B Corp certified, marking a milestone in its journey as a socially and environmentally conscious period care brand. This certification recognizes joni’s commitment to exceptional impact, aligning with a global community striving to change the world through a responsible economy. Biggs credits her team and the support of B Lab U.S. & Canada for this achievement.
🍫 UNREAL Snacks appoints a new Chief Commercial Officer

UNREAL Snacks, founded by Michael, Nicky, and Kristopher Bronner, welcomes Alison Whritenour as their new Chief Commercial Officer. Whritenour brings over a decade of mission-driven expertise from Seventh Generation, joining the UNREAL team as the brand expands into new categories. Known for reimagining nostalgic candy with real ingredients, UNREAL continues to focus on growth and innovation.
🧄 Hummus Goodness expands to 600 stores across multiple states

Hummus Goodness, founded by Hannah Awada, shares its remarkable growth journey, now available in 600 stores across Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Colorado, and more. Starting from a small church kitchen in 2019, they persevered through challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, to reach a wide customer base with eight flavorful hummus varieties. With eyes on “Hummus Domination,” their future looks bright.