Wakefern Seeking Local Suppliers
Wakefern Food Corp. is on the hunt for new suppliers, and vendors interested in working with the grocery co-op now have an opportunity to submit new product ideas to the company.
According to Wakefern, the company is focused on finding new, local suppliers who can offer unique, on-trend foods and products for potential addition to ShopRite and The Fresh Grocer stores, as well as other supermarket banners such as Price Rite Marketplace, Dearborn Market, Gourmet Garage, Fairway Market and Di Bruno Bros.
Product submissions from all grocery categories are welcome and suppliers are encouraged to submit their application through the RangeMe application link, which opens Monday, Sept. 9, and runs for two weeks. Wakefern will review all applications before selecting 10 finalists to pitch their products in person to the Wakefern team.
“We are excited to reach out to a variety of suppliers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses as we look to discover the next great products for our stores,” said Darren Caudill, chief sales officer for Wakefern. “Wakefern is focused on finding local makers and producers in states where our members’ stores are located. Wakefern members live and work in the communities where their stores operate, and we always think it’s important to seek local suppliers who are part of the community.”
Applicants are encouraged to share their brand or product’s origin story as part of the application process for the supplier summit. Local suppliers should also be headquartered in states where Wakefern supermarket banners operate including New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire.
A team at Wakefern will consider applications and select finalists before naming the winners in November. Winners will be granted a one-year minimum placement of their products at ShopRite stores and, potentially, other Wakefern supermarket banners.
Wakefern has hosted similar supplier summits in the past to find new products for its award-winning private label lines Bowl & Basket and Wholesome Pantry. Past winners have provided new store brand sauces, spices, and even restaurant-quality frozen meals with vegetarian, plant-based, and gluten-free options.
To be considered for the latest supplier summit, applicants must fill out the RangeMe application online. For more information and to complete an application, visit the RangeMe application link.
