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GETTING BACK TO BUSINESS

PLMA’S RETURN TO CHICAGO REMINDS US OF THE IMPORTANCE OF FACE-TO-FACE INTERACTIONS

We’re back!

When last the private label industry gathered in Chicago, could anyone have imagined it would be three years before we would be back together? Well, that is indeed the past, and now retailers and suppliers alike are focused on 2023 as the final weeks of 2022 rapidly come to a close.

By now, many of us have likely walked at least one trade show floor this year, and there was something special and familiar about meeting companies at their booth, sampling new products and just enjoying the human interaction that went away temporarily as a result of the pandemic.

For Gen Xers such as myself, we’ve spent a lot of time in recent years learning how to utilize and take advantage of the new tools of our trade. For context, my first job as a reporter in 1994 was done without an iPhone, email or websites. I did have a landline, a computer (a Macintosh Plus) and an office fax machine. And, no, there were no Tyrannosaurs walking the planet!

The point is that person-to-person communication was how we did business. It was how I developed sources and it was how I got my best stories. Putting a face to a voice and name is still comforting and serves to build trust in one another. Over the years as mobile phones, email and other technological advances have become the norm, we’ve lost a bit of the personal touch that is still needed to conduct business.

The up-and-coming editors I’ve worked with in recent years have thrown a few eyerolls my way when I would encourage them to actually use their smartphones as phones. But over time, they did come to understand that a phone conversation does yield a great deal of information. Emails and text messages are great, but if you want to find out what’s really going on, talk to someone.

And with more than 1,300 exhibitors booked for booth space, there will be many conversations happening at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in the Windy City. That’s good news for retailers, suppliers and our friends at PLMA. And next year, it will be good news for consumers who will be the beneficiaries of a multitude of new products. That’s good for everyone!

Publisher, Grocery Group John Schrei (248) 613-8672; jschrei@ensembleiq.com

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Associate Publisher/Executive Editor Greg Sleter (631) 988-8747, gsleter@ensembleiq.com

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Kroger to Host Private Brands Summit

Through the first half of its fiscal year, Kroger has enjoyed strong growth of its private label product selection.

As the company continues to add new products to its store-branded assortment this year, it is also focused on the future and debuting its Our Brands Innovation Summit. Meetings during the first event are scheduled for Jan. 24-26 utilizing ECRM’s virtual meeting platform, ECRM Connect.

Dedicated solely to private label suppliers seeking to do business with Kroger, a spokesperson with the retailer told Store Brands that the event plays to its Our Brands mission, which is focused on working with suppliers that provide high-quality, innovative items that meet current and future market trends, while uplifting the company’s brand promise to be fresh for everyone.

“Continuing our commitment to being customer first, Our Brands strives to create products that support our customers’ pursuit of healthy lifestyles, sustainability, convenience, fresh food, flexitarian meal choices and global flavors. We are seeking suppliers who provide high-quality and incredible tasting products,” the spokesperson said.

The announcement of Innovation Summit comes just weeks after Kroger during its second quarter conference call said sales of private brand products in the quarter were up 10. 2%, led by record growth of its namesake Kroger brand and Home Chef brand.

Additionally, the retailer expanded its Our Brands portfolio with the launch of a Smart Way product line, part of Kroger's new opening price point strategy. The line brings together 16 legacy brands into a single, easyto-find identity.

"As our customers face an ongoing inflationary environment, we know they are looking to stretch their dollars further

than ever before," Stuart Aitken, Kroger's senior vice president and chief merchant and marketing officer, said during the conference call. "Smart Way is an exciting, eye-pleasing product line that will be easy for customers to find. By adding a simplified opening price point brand strategy to Our Brands portfolio, we will further cater to every customer, every time."

As Kroger looks to expand its vendor base, it was not immediately known if the grocer is looking to expand its assortment within current categories or looking for opportunities to expand its private label offerings into new areas.

“Kroger and our portfolio of brands continue to innovate, using data to understand what customers want today as well as tomorrow’s trends,” the spokesperson said. “Innovation is one of our core focus areas, and we’re dedicated to providing customers with access to the highest-quality products at affordable prices.”

While Kroger does not have a specific target number of new products it would like to launch in 2023, it is on the hunt for items that will meet the needs of shoppers while differentiating from its national brand assortment.

“As part of the inaugural Our Brands Innovation Summit, we will provide a clear entry path for new suppliers to join our supplier network,” the Kroger spokesperson said. “We will work with those who have fresh ideas and innovative products – no matter where they are in their journey.”

Albertsons Companies Relaunches

Waterfront Bistro Brand

In honor of National Seafood Month in October, Albertsons Companies relaunched its Waterfront Bistro private brand and reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable seafood.

Found at the retailer’s banner stores, the brand is approved by thirdparty group Responsible Seafood Policy, meeting the retailer's sustainable seafood policy. Launched in 2009, Waterfront Bistro features frozen fish and shrimp, heat-and-serve meals and jarred sauces.

As part of the relaunch, the Waterfront Bistro brand features a new, modernized logo and updated packaging. Albertsons Companies also introduced “Bring the Bistro Home,” a marketing campaign that includes digital, in-store, e-commerce and creative components.

To help simplify cooking, shoppers can now find inspiration and recipe solutions online, as well as in the company’s Meal Plans tool which offers numerous recipe suggestions based on dietary preferences, including pescatarian. Many Waterfront Bistro items now feature recipe suggestions on the backside of the package via a QR code.

“We’re excited to reintroduce Waterfront Bistro as an elevated and responsible option for our shoppers,” said Katie Ceclan, vice president of own brands for Albertsons Cos. “With Waterfront Bistro, we’re making it

TXB Adds 20 New Private Label Items

easier than ever to access affordable, highquality and responsibly sourced seafood ingredients so our customers can create restaurant-worthy dishes in the comfort of their own kitchens and feel good about the ingredients they’re using.”

Texas-based convenience chain TXB (Texas Born) recently expanded its TXB private brand to offer 20 new items ranging from juices and teas, snacks, salsas, apparel and more.

The new private label additions are all locally sourced, manufactured, produced, bottled or bagged in Texas. TXB also debuted a new reloadable gift card, which will be used for the company’s giveaways including free gas for a year.

“We are dedicated to providing guests with true Texan hospitality every time they visit our markets,” said Kevin Smartt, CEO of TXB. “We’re deeply committed to creating a private label lineup that includes the best that Texas has to offer, taking no shortcuts to find and source the finest local quality ingredients. We are so proud of the time and effort put into making delicious snacks and beverages, and we know our guests will see and taste the difference.”

The 20 new TXB branded products include several beverages, such as TXB juices and teas like Goodflow Honey Green Tea and Poteet Strawberry White Tea, along with craft sodas in flavors including Blood Orange, Cherry Limeade and many more.

The new private label food additions include jerky, new prepared fajita offerings, salsa and more. TXB also added several apparel products for sale including hats, shirts and custom-branded shoes.

Dollar General Launches Expansive OhGood! Collection of Gummy Vitamins and Supplements

and may promote adherence to a daily regimen.”

The OhGood! collection is non-GMO, glutenfree and made with natural flavors, offering supplement options for those looking to save money. Additionally, select products within the line are vegan or vegetarian.

The full collection of the Dollar General-exclusive gummies includes: Vitamin D, Black Elderberry, Women’s Multivitamin, Men’s Multivitamin, Kids’ Multivitamin + Probiotic, Apple Cider Vinegar, Hair, Skin and Nails, Vitamin B12 + D3 and Melatonin (Available in 5mg and 10mg).

Discount chain Dollar General recently announced a new retailer-exclusive line of gummy health and wellness supple ments. Approximately 10 OhGood! gummy vitamin prod ucts are available chainwide, and the complete product line that includes additional offerings is available at approximately 11,000 Dollar General stores.

“Vitamins and supplements can be beneficial for many of our customers, particularly those with certain medical conditions or dietary restrictions,” said Dr. Albert Wu, Dollar General’s chief medical officer. “In those instances, gummies can be an option

Several additional OhGood! Products are available at select stores includes: Probiotic, Zinc, Vitamin C + Zinc, Kids’ C + Zinc, Cranberry, Kids’ Melatonin, Collagen and Prenatal + DHA.

“Everything we do at Dollar General is centered around our customers,” said Jackie Li, senior vice president of Private Brands and Global Sourcing at Dollar General. “As health and wellness is top of mind with our shoppers, we are proud to deliver this line of high quality gummy supplements exclusively at Dollar General under our own brand, OhGood!. These items will not only aid our customers’ daily needs but will do so at a fantastic value.”

Lowe’s Adds Indoor Options to Origin21 Brand

Origin21, one of Lowe’s’ private brands, has entered the indoor furniture category, debuting a number of new chairs, desks, dressers and decor items.

Launched in February of this year, Origin21 began with a collection of patio furniture and home décor accents alongside lighting, seasonal, outdoor living and lawn and garden items. Now, the brand is venturing indoors. The mid-October expansion of Origin21 coincides with Lowe’s launching new indoor furniture pieces from another private brand, allen + roth.

“Millennial, trend-seeking homeowners are hungry to personalize their homes, and Origin21 indoor furniture along with new items joining the allen + roth collection make it easier than ever,” said the home improvement retailer. “Homeowners can now easily create a complete, on-trend space all in one place. And whether your personal aesthetic leans modern like Origin21 or timeless like allen + roth, this rollout demonstrates Lowes’ commitment to providing ‘style for every style.’”

Walmart Opens New Illinois Fulfillment Center

Walmart is continuing to bolster its supply chain, as the retailer announced the opening of its first of four new high-tech fulfillment centers.

The retailer officially opened its first “next-gen” fulfillment center in Joliet, Ill., southwest of Chicago. The first of four centers that the retailer plans to construct over the next three years, this 1.1 million-square-foot site is set up for maximum efficiency, using advanced robotics and machine learning to cut down a manual 12-step process to a patent-pending five-step process.

The retail giant says that the new facilities will be able to provide 75% of the U.S. population with next- or twoday shipping. The centers will also be used to fulfill Marketplace items shipped for third-party e-commerce sellers, as part of the Walmart Fulfillment Services arm of the business.

The grand opening follows Walmart’s international supply chain expansion, marked by a new fulfillment center in Quebec, Canada, in the same month.

“Customers continue to expect faster delivery times and we are excited to be able

to meet those needs with these new high-tech facili ties,” said Karisa Sprague, senior vice president of Ful fillment Network Opera tions for Walmart U. S. “The addition of the Joliet next generation FC, paired with our 31 dedicated e-com merce fulfillment centers, will allow Walmart to fulfill online orders for Walmart. com and Walmart+ custom ers with greater shipping speed in the midwest re gion. And, with the holidays around the corner, we’re excited to provide a more seamless experience for our customers."

Consumers Rank Immune Support Top Need From Functional Beverages, Per Report

Kerry, a private label food and beverage development partner, says that immune, gut and heart health are the primary features consumers look for in functional beverages, according to new research released in October.

Kerry surveyed more than 10,000 consumers in 18 countries around the globe, and found that the need for targeted wellness attributes is still important when it comes to beverages. The research showed that a total of 53% of global consumers are interested in beverages containing ingredients specific for immune support, but want to see science-backed ingredients, citing vitamin blends, omega-3 fatty acids and probiotics as the top ingredients on their radar. Although the overall taste experience is important, the primary focus of consumers is on the nutritional value and impact of these ingredients.

Weight management, heart health, muscle recovery, energy, endurance and bone health were all noted as functions consumers want out of their beverages options, providing an opportunity for private brands to develop new products.

A preference for beverages supporting skin and hair beauty was more pronounced in several developing markets (such as the Philippines, South Africa, Indonesia, India, Poland, Brazil, Colombia and Guatemala), and continues to be a priority in leading markets including the U. S. and U.K. New product launches containing collagen have risen by 19% over the past four years, and products containing biotin have risen by 14% during the same period.

“A significant opportunity exists in the functional and fortified space, with the conventional line between supplements and beverages blurring,” said Soumya Nair, global director of Consumer Research and Insights at Kerry. “According to our research, a total of 86% of consumers stated they would pay a premium for food and beverages

with added functional benefits. While their top priority need states remained consistent over the years, there is growing focus on balance - balancing beauty with digestive support, immunity with sports performance, as consumers seek their personalized idea functional and fortified solution. To win in this space, manufacturers need to create products that support top concerns such as immune, digestive, cognitive, joint and heart health, and include science-backed functional ingredients to increase credibility.”

Gopuff Launches Health and Wellness Private Brand

Online delivery platform Gopuff recently unveiled its second private brand. Following the January debut of the Basically brand, Gopuff launched Goodnow, a collection of health and wellness products.

The line includes a number of OTC medicine products including pain (ibuprofen, acetaminophen, naproxen, head ache relief), allergy (loratadine, cetirizine, diphenhydramine), cold, flu and sinus congestion relief, sleep aid products and at-home diagnostic test kits (UTI, BV, Herpes) available for delivery in minutes. The Goodnow line will also include elec trolyte drinks, bandages, antihistamines, antacids and more that will roll out nationwide in the future.

“Health and wellness - an $80+ billion market in the U.S. - has been one of Gopuff’s fastest-growing categories,” said

Jessica Glendenning, director of private label at Gopuff. “As consumers become increasingly interested in private label products, Gopuff is uniquely positioned to develop new brands curated specifically for our customers. Informed by data, insights, and feedback, we know that Goodnow is an inherent fit for our customers and the Gopuff platform.”

Gopuff said the new Goodnow products are consistently produced and controlled according to quality standards and manufactured in a third-party GMP-certified facility. Shoppers must be 14 years or older to purchase diagnostic testing kits, which are not available in New York State.

Gopuff said it used customer data to craft the new brand, adding that Basically has seen success, consistently staying in the company’s list of top-10 best selling brands.

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NRF: Import Levels Expected to Slow

In a year when imports were at near record levels early on, the final months of 2022 are expected to see the amount of goods flowing through the nation’s major ports dip to their lowest levels in nearly two years.

The Global Port Tracker from the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates is projecting imports for the final four months of the year to be down year-over-year, with December’s projected figure expected to be the lowest since February of 2021.

“The holiday season has already started for some shoppers and, thanks to pre-planning, retailers have plenty of merchandise on hand to meet demand,” said Jonathan Gold, vice president for Supply Chain and Customs Policy with the NRF. “Many retailers brought in merchandise early this year to beat rising inflation and ongoing supply chain disruption issues. Despite the lower volumes, retailers are still experiencing challenges along the supply chain, including U.S. ports and intermodal rail yards.”

Ben Hackett, founder of Hackett Associates, added that recent cuts in carriers’ shipping capacity reflect demand for merchandise from well-stocked retailers.

“Meanwhile, the closure of factories during China’s October Golden Week holiday along with the Chinese government’s continuing ‘Zero Covid’ policy have impacted production, reducing demand for shipping capacity from that side of the Pacific as well,” he said.

U.S. ports covered by Global Port Tracker handled 2.26 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units – one 20-foot container or its equivalent – in August, the latest month for which final numbers are available. That was up 3.5% from July but down 0.4% from August 2021.

Ports have not yet reported September’s numbers, but Global Port Tracker projected the month at 2.07 million TEU, down 3% year-over-year. October is forecast at 2 million TEU, down 9.4% year-over-year; November at 2.01 million TEU, down 4.9%, and December at 1.96 million TEU, down 6.1%. The December number would be the lowest since 1.87 million TEU in February 2021, which was the last time the monthly total fell below 2 million TEU.

The first half of the year totaled 13.5 million TEU, a 5.5% increase year-over-year. The forecast for the remainder of the year would bring the second half to 12.5 million TEU, down 4% year-over-year. For the full year, 2022 is expected to total 26 million TEU, up 0.7% from last year’s annual record of 25.8 million TEU.

Imports are expected to bounce back briefly in January 2023, which is forecast at 2.06 million TEU, but that would be down 4.9% from January 2022. February is forecast at 1.8 million TEU, down 15% year from last year as the month returns to its usual slowdown because of Lunar New Year factory shutdowns each year in Asia. Numbers remained high despite the holiday last year because of backed-up cargo that kept congested ports busy during the month.

A DECADE OF SERVICE

In the decade since its founding, Women Impacting Storebrand Excellence (WISE) has continued to evolve as an organization, expanding its efforts beyond its initial focus of helping women find opportunities in the private label industry, to now promoting the broader topic of diversity.

With support from product suppliers and retailers, including one that does so with a high degree of anonymity, WISE’s focus during its first 10 years has been providing individuals and companies throughout the private label industry a host of needed services that includes professional development opportunities.

Now, as WISE embarks on the start of its second decade, its leadership is looking ahead to new opportunities and how it can meet the needs of its membership in a world that feels as if it’s changing daily now more than ever.

Recently, Jen Linke, chair of WISE, and Judy Clark, vice chair of WISE, spoke with Store Brands about the organization’s first 10 years of service to the world of private label, how it has evolved over that time and how it continues to play a role in highlighting the importance of diversity that goes beyond gender.

STORE BRANDS As WISE celebrates its 10th anniversary, what are your thoughts about this milestone?

JEN LINKE: We are proud to say that we have made it 10 years. There were never any questions about whether we would succeed and continue on, and today we are thriving. We have laid a strong foundation and I think we have a lot of opportunities in the future for the organization to thrive even further. I’m incredibly proud of what we have accomplished.

JUDY CLARK: Every year we continue to figure out ways to offer something new to our members as we continue to evolve

with the private label industry. During the pandemic we continued to come up with unique ways to connect with our membership and support them at a time when most were working remotely and feeling a great deal of stress. As we look ahead, we continue to offer a platform to drive diversity and to make sure everyone is welcome into our industry as we continue working to develop products that target the needs of today’s consumers.

SB: What led to the founding of WISE 10 years ago?

JL: I would like to share a story. Our founding is really the work of Peggy Davies (current president of the Private Label Manufacturers Association). She was at an event and when looking out at the audience she noticed that 50% was female and younger people. When she looked back at the panel of speakers, that group was far less diverse. It was clear that many in the audience were not seeing people on the stage that looked like them. It was clear that we needed young people, the future of our industry, to realize that they could have a really successful career in the store brands industry.

JC: And it’s important to note that while the organization was founded by women, it goes beyond women and is focused on all forms of diversity. We have a lot of younger men involved in WISE and also have people from many different ethnic backgrounds. When I attended my first PLMA Trade Show in 2007, you would walk down an aisle and it was all gray-haired men. This is an industry that is made up of scrappy operators and the founding of WISE was always about educating people as they come into the industry.

AS WISE CELEBRATES 10 YEARS, IT LOOKS FORWARD TO FUTURE GROWTH AND FURTHER ENHANCING DIVERSITY ACROSS PRIVATE LABEL

SB: Do you feel WISE has played a role in raising the profile of the private label industry?

JL: I think what we have done is con tinue to help bring more diversity into the industry, whether on the retail or manufacturer side. For suppliers, it’s important to think about how their brands can have an impact on diver sity and how that impacts their busi ness. I think a lot of what we are do ing is bringing the aspect of diversity to private label and showing compa nies how they can benefit from it.

JC: For smaller companies, they often don’t have the resources to have a di versity officer to help push this issue and make sure their company is pro viding diversity training. WISE offers a place for small companies to lever age resources without having to add headcount. Human resource teams at companies are able to partner with WISE and take advantage of the re sources we offer. We are also seeing some of the bigger players now have a greater focus on diversity that they perhaps didn’t have five years ago.

SB: So the result has been WISE highlighting the discussion about diversity that goes beyond only gender but also is about race, age, etc.

JL: It’s really about diversity of thought. That is the key. We all have different backgrounds and having diversity of thought within any organization is so important. In any company, there are people in finance, operations, IT, etc.,

— Judy Clark, WISE who each bring different perspectives to a conversation. It’s important to have all those voices in a conversation to make a product launch or new line more successful.

SB: As part of that diversity, how im portant was it for WISE to have men involved in the organization early on?

JL: While the word women is in our name and WISE was founded by wom en, I don’t think we ever intended to be just a women’s organization. We have had men on our board and on our vol unteer committees since day one. They bring diversity to the organization. It’s also interesting to hear men today talk about wanting to make sure their daughters are able to have access to good jobs after they graduate college. Honestly, whatever their motivation is to get involved with WISE is great, but then we have to make sure they stick around and continue to advocate for us.

JC: Our first meeting was attended largely by women and there were about 50 of us. By the second year, we knew we had to stick with it as there was a clear calling for an or ganization such as ours. The men in the room during our second meeting showed us we were doing the right thing and they wanted us to grow and enhance diversity as much as we knew we needed to do it as well.

SB: As you look ahead, what’s next for WISE?

JL: We will continue to offer strong professional development programs. That has been a strong foundation for us. This year, we launched our DEI learning series, and it was one of the most successful programs. We are looking to take that to another level in 2023. We are also looking at do ing some type of summit next year that would be virtual and provide a few hours of training over a couple of days. And we are also focused on con tinuing to grow WISE. It’s important to remember that we are an all-volun teer organization and those involved also have full-time jobs in addition to the work they do for the organization. Part of that growth effort is our ju nior board, which allows us to bring in younger people. They have been amazing and very active on a variety of our committees. The junior board is also part of our succession plan and allows us to stay diverse.

JC: We also want to increase our men toring by looking for opportunities to bring together our senior and junior members for increased coaching. Our junior board is a great way for com panies with young high-potential em ployees to gain more learning and ex posure. Plus, this keeps that young tal ent in the private label industry. They really are walking advertisements as to why store brands is a vibrant industry that offers employment opportunities for young professionals.

“I think what we have done is continue to help bring more diversity into the industry, whether on the retail or manufacturer side. For suppliers, it’s important to think about how their brands can have an impact on diversity and how that impacts their business.”

“It’s important to note that while the organization was founded by women, it goes beyond women and is focused on all forms of diversity. We have a lot of younger men involved in WISE and also have people from many different ethnic backgrounds.”

WELCOME BACK!

AS THE PLMA SHOW RETURNS, ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT PEGGY DAVIES TALKS ABOUT RECENT CHALLENGES AND THE FUTURE

When the lights go on at the 2022 Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) Show in Chicago, one person who will breathe a sigh of relief will be Peggy Davies, PLMA president.

In 2019, when the association last left the Windy City, no one could imagine it would be three years before the next PLMA trade show that has long been a fixture in the midNovember time frame. Now, as the private label world returns to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, it will do so to an event that was declared by PLMA to be a sell out with more than 1,300 exhibitors representing more than 2,200 exhibit booths.

For Davies and PLMA team, 2020 and 2021 presented multiple never-before-seen challenges that required them to be nimble and develop new programs and services to meet the needs of members challenged by several issues including the pandemic, supply chain disruptions and inflation, to name just a few.

Davies, who was named acting president in June of 2020 following the passing of longtime president Brian Sharoff, was officially named president in June of 2021 and will oversee her first show in that role.

Recently, Davies spoke with Store Brand about the upcoming show, the importance of its return, the challenges facing the private label marketplace and what the future holds for PLMA.

STORE BRANDS: The past two years have been full of challenges that we have not dealt with previously. What were some of the key factors that allowed PLMA to manage through some difficult circumstances?

PEGGY DAVIES: First, it starts with our staff here in the U.S. and in Amsterdam. Everyone

was totally dedicated to doing what needed to be done for our members. First and foremost it’s the people. Those that support the organization internally and those that support us externally. Two years after the start of the pandemic, our membership was not where it was at the beginning of the pandemic. We still have solid membership. We had a wellattended Amsterdam show (in the spring) and Chicago is shaping up in the same fashion. Our membership is returning to normal.

SB: Were there any changes in the needs of PLMA membership over the past two years?

PD: People were anxious for content and for topics. We did get a good response to our Lunch and Learn series. We had about 10 events and our attendance for each averaged about 300 participants. With the idea of Lunch of Learn, we felt there was a need to add content to our schedule that was not a lot

of heavy lifting for our staff but that would offer good information to the industry and was frequent. We wanted to offer something that was under the banner of professional development. Overall, we showed the industry that we are a viable organization that has its fingers on the pulse, and we are constantly looking for ways for our member manufacturers to find new outlets for their goods

SB: With no trade shows during 2020 and 2021 because of the pandemic, was there any concern that the industry might not return to trade events?

PD: Well, you know, it’s what keeps you up at night (laughs). Absolutely. Our membership suffered a bit but now we are back in good stead with membership, and when we did Amsterdam in May, we had a full show floor. We probably could not have fit someone else in. We had 15,000 visitors and we said people want to get back and come to these types of events. They want to spend the time and the money and energy, and we are definitely seeing the same things now for Chicago.

SB: When trade shows returned this year, what was the response from retailers and suppliers? Any hesitancy or were they looking to get out and meet people in person again?

PD: To be honest, there was no hesitancy. They were just ready to come back. We have continued to market the show and make people realize that we are back in person. We actually printed and mailed the trade show guide from the November 2021 show, which we moved to January of 2022, but we had to cancel because of the Omicron virus spike at that time. But the show guide is still a handy resource for companies looking for information. It is still very handy.

SB: For those headed to Chicago, what can they expect from this year’s show?

What’s familiar and what’s new?

PD: The show will look very similar and have a few more international exhibitors than we had in 2019. Companies want to show more new things and this year we have more suppliers in new ingredients, holistic,

sustainability, plant-based and also have a whole pavilion of hempderived CBD products. We also have wine and spirits, canned cocktails and even bourbon.

SB: Current economic conditions are having a positive impact on private label as a whole. How does the current climate differ from what we

The national media has done an interesting job in talking about private brands. They don’t always call it by the right name, but they have done a nice job of talking about private label and bringing it to consumer’s attention.

— Peggy Davies, PLMA

have seen in previous challenging economic times?

PD: I think at the end of the day the industry has come a long way from 2008 in its advertising, marketing and breadth of products. There are many things that are much different than they used to be. All of that contributes, hopefully, to a

business that can hold on to these gains. The national media has done an interesting job in talking about private brands. They don’t always call it by the right name, but they have done a nice job of talking about private label and bringing it to consumer’s attention.

SB: What needs to be done to better educate consumers about the private label product options available to them?

PD: Nobody does it better than Trader Joe’s and Costco. At some level it’s about the sampling and having the right people talking to the consumer. It’s almost a one-on-one connection. Hopefully, with people again comfortable with sampling of food products, that will probably go a long way. But it’s a constant effort and you can’t fall asleep at the switch. It’s also a pricing situation and also availability as we’re not completely out of the woods as it pertains to supply chain challenges.

SB: There continues to be private label growth across the store, whether it’s consumables, home products, hardware, etc. Are categories beyond consumables on the radar for PLMA in an effort to expand its membership?

PD: We are always looking at those categories and what the best thing is for the industry as a whole. I can’t say today that at the next show we’ll have a whole lot of hardware and tools, but it would be silly of us not to continue looking at trends and see what’s happening and try to balance our show floor with things that will interest manufacturers and ultimately consumers. Today, we still have room to grow in food and nonfood, and that will still be our main focus for a bit.

SB: When looking ahead to 2023, what opportunities are there for the private label industry to continue growing and engage with a larger number of shoppers?

PD: It certainly seems social media is the way to connect. It’s the retailer’s brand and it’s the retailer’s responsibility to connect with consumers. We are the ones behind the scenes. They have the connections to the consumers, not the manufacturers. I’m not sure what effect a Trader Joe’s podcast had on their consumers. They did eight or 10 podcasts and it was an interesting approach to try and connect to their consumers. The most important thing is to be consistent. You can’t be there one day and then not show up for three months.

SB: For PLMA, what does the future hold and what new initiative should be watching for?

PD: Trade shows are all consuming and getting ready for the show takes everyone’s effort 24/7. Right now, we are focused on doing what we do well and making it the best it can be.

I think at the end of the day the industry has come a long way from 2008 in its advertising, marketing and breadth of products. There are many things that are much different than they used to be. All of that contributes, hopefully, to a business that can hold on to these gains.

— Peggy Davies, PLMA

A GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY

FAMILY-RUN HICKORY HARVEST COMES TO THE PLMA TRADE SHOW AND CELEBRATES A MAJOR MILESTONE

Ahalf-century ago, Joseph and Pauline

Swiatkowski founded Hickory Harvest by selling smoked sausages and cheese at county fairs throughout Ohio. The work was long and hard, but would ultimately provide the Akron, Ohio-based company with a strong foundation from which to build on.

“The fairs were hard on the family as it meant traveling throughout the summer and working 18 hour days,”

Joe Swiatkowski, the company’s current president & CEO, and grandson of Joseph and Pauline told Store Brands. “My father (George), who was then running the company after taking over from his father, knew he needed to transform the company into something that would be more stable year-round.”

Today, Hickory Harvest is celebrating its 50th anniversary, a major milestone for the thirdgeneration, family run company. With a majority of its business focused on providing retailers with private label products, the company offers retailers items in several categories including roasted and flavored nuts, chocolates and yogurts, trail and snack mixes, and organics and dried fruits.

The company will be at the 2022 Private Label Manufacturers Association Trade Show in Chicago to showcase several new items that will include a variety of items offered in multi-packs.

STORE BRANDS: What does it mean for Hickory Harvest to commemorate its 50th year in business?

JOE SWIATKOWSKI: It really means a lot to our employees and the community we serve. It’s a great milestone and we have done a few things throughout the year to promote the anniversary. But we’ve always been a humble company and are fortunate to have grown with the help of our long-term customers and partners.

SB: The company started out selling products at fairs. At what point did the company see a need to change its business model?

JS: My father was in charge of the company and knew he had to find a way to run the business without spending the summers traveling from fair to fair. The money was good, but it was very difficult on the family and he knew there was a need to transform the company and sell our products to retailers. Our first customer was Acme Fresh Market, which at the time was a 15-store chain located in Northeast Ohio. We would receive a great deal of support from a number of retailers, including several independent grocery stores.

SB: What have been some of the keys to the company’s success over the years?

Swiatkowski spoke with Store Brands about the company’s golden anniversary, its growth over the years and how it has evolved to meet the ever changing needs of its retailer customers.

JS: I think it’s our focus on staying humble. We don’t try to be something we’re not. We continue to stay focused on working with current customers and finding new customers in the middle to high market. In addition, we’re not trying to be a branded company. Building a brand requires a great deal of time and money. Our forte has been and continues to be developing products for retailer’s private label programs.

We’ve always been a humble company and are fortunate to have grown with the help of our long-term customers and partners.

— Joe Swiatkowski, Hickory Harvest

SB: What were the factors behind the company’s continued product expansion?

JS: A lot of it was that we were able to get our products into the produce sections of grocery stores. We became diverse enough to carry a lot of different products and also started manufacturing a broader range of products. About seven years ago, we acquired a company that made chocolate and yogurt products. We were already roasting our own nuts and now we’re able to do our own coatings.

SB: With your private label assortment, does the company

develop products or do you work with retailers to meet their specific needs?

JS: It’s both, really. Our research and development department works to come up with new products, and we are able to work with our customers to develop items that meet a specific need.

SB: As Hickory Harvest continues to look for growth opportunities, what are some of its biggest challenges?

JS: For us it’s finding employees. The past five years have been very difficult to find the right people that fit with our company, and that issue

was only exasperated by COVID-19. The Northeast Ohio region is now a hotbed for manufacturing. We have Goodyear and Amazon nearby along with several other food manufactures. We compete against everyone when trying to attract new talent.

SB: What will Hickory Harvest have on display at the PLMA Show?

JS: Multipacks are newer for us and we’ll be showing a number of bag-in-a-bag concepts. Everything will be featured under the Hickory Harvest brand, but we can work with retailers to develop items that fit with what they are looking for.

Beefeaters Showcases Expanded Wet Cat Food Selection

The new product assortment from Beefeaters on display at the 2022 PLMA Trade Show will focus on the felines, with a broad selection of products on display.

New wet flavors in 5. 5-ounce can configurations include turkey with liver pâté, tuna pâté, chicken whitefish pâté and chicken tuna pâté. Highlighting the three-ounce can wet flavors are chicken pâté, chicken chunk in gravy, tuna chunk in gravy and salmon pâté.

Rounding out the featured new assortment are tuna chunk in gravy and chicken chunk in gravy, both of which are offered in a three-ounce

Season Brand Features New Grilled Mackerel Selection

Season Brand will expand its assortment with the debut of its grilled mackerel in a tin. Composed of skinless and boneless filets packed in 100% olive oil, the new item is offered in 4.375-ounce cans.

According to the company, grilled mackerel is certified sustainable and is wild-caught off the coast of Morocco. The product offers consumers several health benefits, including essential omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and iron. In addition, Season’s grilled mackerel is nonGMO, gluten-free and OU Kosher certified.

“As a successful brand that

has been a leader in the premium sardine market for more than 100 years, Season is committed to innovation within the category,” said Lance Reiter, the company’s general manager. “We are excited to offer our grilled mackerel product to satisfy the growing demand for healthy, sustainable, and on-trend items that today’s consumers expect.”

Additionally, Season Brand will also feature several of its best-selling canned fish products including sardines, mackerel, anchovies and kippers at the Chicago show. All of these products are sustainably sourced and provide consumers with great-tasting seafood with many health and wellness attributes, the company said.

Chocmod Presents New Protein, Keko Bites

Known for its assortment of cocoa dusted truffles, Chocmod will feature new protein cocoa bits and Keto chocolate bites at the 2022 PLMA Trade Show.

The protein cocoa bits offer seven grams of protein per portion and are offered in caramel or coffee. With 20% less sugar than regular truffles, the bites contain two types of protein; whey for fatigued muscles and casein for long-term recovery.

The Keto chocolate bites offer 25 grams of fat per portion with no net carbs and no sugar added, the treats are touted as a source of fiber, are Kosher certified and made with no artificial colors and flavors. They are available with cocoa nibs or coconut flakes.

Wyoming Authentic Products

Wyoming Authentic is featuring a host of new selections at the 2022 PLMA Trade Show.

Targeting retailers in need of private label solutions, the company is presenting its one ounce honey BBQ all natural grass-fed angus beef sticks and four ounce honey BBQ all natural grass-fed angus beef bites. For jalapeno lovers, the company is offering its Fired Up jalapeno flavor in one ounce, all-natural grass-fed angus beef sticks and four-ounce, all-natural grass-fed angus beef bits. Also new is the company’s three-ounce Sweet & Spicy all natural grass-fed whole muscle beef jerky.

Products in the line are made from beef sourced from Wyoming ranches, and have no added hormones or antibiotics, no nitrates or nitrates added, no artificial ingredients, contain no MSG and are gluten-free.

Skjodt-Barrett Features

New Packaging Design

Skjodt-Barrett has partnered with Cheer Pack NA and SmartSeal to bring a new packaging innovation to market. Ideal for the beverage industry, the No-Spill Pouch with SmartSeal valve technology allows contents to be evacuated only when suction is applied. The no-spill security makes this application great for all ages, including those with active lifestyles. The tethered flip cap is lightweight and flexible and comes in a variety of colors to choose from. Custom pouch shapes and sizes are also available to meet any design needs.

Ark Foods Showcases Chopped Salad Kits

Ark Foods is offering a new line of Chopped Salad Kits, which according to the company features low-anxiety greens, lots of vegetables and clean takes on familiar dressings.

The Sweet Kale Lemon Poppyseed features a nutty, sweet mix of candied pecans and dried cranberries atop a bed of colorful kale, cabbage and radishes. The ingredients are said to remind one of a lemon poppyseed muffin.

The new Creamy Kale Caesar offers a creamy, tangy dressing punctuated by crispy croutons, adding some crunch to every veggie-packed bite.

Also new is the Crunchy Sesame Ramen. Offering the familiar taste of a bowl of ramen that is packed into one’s favorite salad, the kit features umamipacked nori and a miso sesame dressing that balances the cool crisp of kale, cabbage, daikon and carrots.

Rounding out the new assortment is Southern Barbecue Ranch. Ingredients include corn nuts and fried onions that top a crunchy veggie-forward base of kale, carrots, cabbage and shredded Brussels sprouts.

Snack Innovations Showcases

Healthy Selections

Snack Innovations is expanding its assortment and will showcase its Triangle Popcorn Chips at the event. Light and crunchy and never fried, the chips are gluten-free, Kosher and non-GMO project verifiable.

Also on display will be the company’s Pea Protein Chips. Offering a crunchy bite, the chips are flaky on the outside and offering high levels of protein while also being low-fat.

DreamPak Expands Into Center Store Categories

DreamPak is expanding its assortment with the launch of a selection of meals and sauces that include macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, and sauces including cheese and marinara offered in squeeze bottles.

The company said its instant cup and boxed offerings of macaroni and cheese will officially launch in the first quarter of 2023, followed by instant cups of mashed potatoes in the second quarter and the squeeze bottles of pasta sauce in the third quarter.

Officials with DreamPak said the expansion into these categories builds off the company’s success in the beverage market for more than 20 years. Dr. Aly Gamay, president & CEO of DreamPak, has familiarity with center store categories and the new line is the company’s latest effort to offer consumers products that are tasty, practical and economical, the company said.

Massimo Zanetti Brews

A Mexican Flavor Massimo Zanetti will feature its Café de Olla coffee blend at the 2022 PLMA Trade Show. This flavored coffee features authentic Mexican ground coffee blended with the flavors of cinnamon and dark brown sugar to create a flavorful spiced coffee that can be enjoyed to start or end your day.

La Tourangelle Presents New Pouches

Among the featured new items from La Tourangelle is the company’s 0.5 fl. oz. pouches. PET lined, the pouch es are designed for use for sampling, to sell as a single-serve item or to use as a flavor accessory for single-serve meals such as salads. They can be filled with specialty oils or dressings and the content sizes can be adjusted to accommodate larger volumes.

Also new is the company’s 16 fl. oz. bag-on-valve spray bottle. The recyclable steel can provides the benefits of a spray without the use of chemicals or propellants. It can be filled with any of the oils offered in La Tourangelle’s portfolio.

Seneca Foods Expands Canned Goods M ix

Seneca Foods will come to the event showcasing a host of items. Among the featured products is the company’s Southern Ranch Beans. According to the company, the beans are packed to lock in the bold, zesty flavor or prepared pinto beans while also offering a tasty blend of seasonings.

Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade)

Several companies from Australia will be at the PLMA Show showcasing a range of products.

The Lupin Co. from Western Australia will feature its new Australian Sweet Lupin Pasta Protein product, which has only 4% digestible carbohydrate, 40% protein, 38% dietary fiber and gluten-free. The pasta protein cooks in less than three

minutes and brings the combination of protein and carbohydrate to a massive category. The Lupin Co. will also feature its Australian Sweet Lupin flour and its, clean-label flakes that are both produced in the company’s factory near Perth, Western Australia.

Dollar Sweets is an Australian, family-owned company, based in Melbourne. Operating since 1947, the company manufactures and supplies contemporary baking products, confectionery and industrial ingredients. Its bestselling retail lines include its 100s and 1000s and Bright sprinkles, that can be used for decorating cakes or sprinkling over ice cream, and its Extra Strong Peppermints that are made with premium peppermint oil.

Farm Foods Australia is an Australian family-owned food manufacturing business. The company has developed a range of

plant-based and flexitarian products in response to growing consumer demand and continues to innovate in this space.

ViPlus Dairy specializes in a diverse range of nutritional dairy products. The company’s hydrolyzed formula contains cow’s milk proteins that have been broken down into smaller peptides than those found in standard cow’s milk formula. Protein hydrolysate formulas are meant for babies who don’t tolerate cow’s milk or soy-based formulas. Extensively hydrolyzed formulas are an option for babies who have a protein allergy.

Australian winery Trifon Estate will feature a range of awardwinning wines including its Lagoon View Winemakers Selection. These wines have received more than 60 awards over the past three years and the winery’s first release was awarded “Australian Wine of the

Year” at the London Women’s Wine & Spirits Awards 2019.

Yummi Pet Food Products will feature its range of high quality natural and preservative free dog treats made in Australia from Australian ingredients. Yummi’s Nibbles and Doganossi ranges can be customized to meet the needs of any retail customer.

Pacific Coast Producers Showcases New Fruits and Veggies

Pacific Coast Producers, an agricultural cooperative based in northern California, is showcasing a handful of new products for private label availability. Owned by 150 family farms, Pacific Coast Producers’ products can be found at more than 95,000 grocery stores nationwide.

Organic Yellow Cling Sliced Peaches in real fruit juice are harvest ed from the group’s multi-generational family farms. They are hand selected and picked at the peak of freshness for premium taste and optimal nutrients.

Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies adds flavor to a variety of meals. Using California vine-ripened tomatoes packed at their peak ripeness roasted on an

open flame and diced green chilies, Pacific Coast Producers continues to see this product grow in popularity.

Chunky Cut Diced Tomatoes are made from tomatoes grown by family farmers in California and cut to one inch on each side. The larger cut provides a meatier tomato option for the at home chef to use for pastas, soups, chilis or any dish that requires a large tomato taste.

Bordeaux Cherries are a premium maraschino cherry featuring the vibrant flavor of a fresh Bing cherry. The name comes from the rich burgundy color of the characteristic jumbo, stem-on cherry. Its mahogany-red cherry flesh offers a hint of tartness reinforced by a crispness that is associated to a conventional maraschino cherry.

As consumer needs continue to rapidly evolve, the nation’s leading grocers are challenged daily to tweak how they interact with shoppers and make the shopping experience one that is easy and enjoyable.

Officials from the nation’s top retailers at the recent Groceryshop 2022 in Las Vegas, shared insight on a number of key issues including inflation, technology, supply chain and sustainability among others that are impacting what and how consumers buy.

Additionally, the topic of private label was front and center for many retailers. During the past year, sales of store-branded products have gained momentum as consumers have turned away from pricier national brands in an effort to save money and make ends meet.

84. 51° Details Holiday Spending, Inflation and Kroger’s Private Brands

Michael McGowan, senior vice president of Insights & Loyalty at 84. 51°, spoke with Store Brands to discuss the recent findings of its September Consumer Digest report, and how Kroger is leveraging its portfolio of private label brands during the ongoing inflationary period.

The September data from 84. 51°, Kroger’s retail and data insights company, showed that 90% of shoppers acknowledge making changes at the grocery store due to high prices, even households making more than $100,000 per year. Higher income households are more likely to switch to bulk options and out of more premium products, while others are more likely to cut spending altogether and/or switch to private brands.

“Households that are projected to be less than $100,000 in income, 45% said they are ordering less pizza out and transitioning to frozen pizza,” McGowan said. “That’s a

good indication of folks being more cost conscious. It doesn’t mean they’re not eating pizza, it means how they choose to fill that need for their family is different.”

McGowan added that having a wide variety of private label products is key for retailers as inflation continues with the holidays ahead.

“You want to have the diversity of assortment that matters to customers,” he said. “We see around holidays that customers tend to be very purposeful about the products they get. They want quality products at reasonable values. In September, 21% of customers told us that they are planning to gather with more people than last year to celebrate the upcoming holiday stretch. I do think we’ll still see a good mix of individuals using national brands, using selective elements of private label brands, and I’m interested to see if we see more home meal occasions, because that often provides more

of shoppers acknowledge making changes at the grocery store due to high prices, even households making more than per year.

financial efficiency for customers.”

As a speaker on a panel focused on developing shopper loyalty, McGowan touted Kroger’s Boost membership, which launched nationwide in July, as a program that is already seeing success by leveraging private brands.

“Flexibility is now key. Shoppers can engage in new ways, on their own terms, on their own time,” he said. “Boost is the next generation that we think offers a delivery benefit to our customers, enhances our fuel program, and also offers exclusive offers, whether that’s through our private brand businesses or national brands.”

Rapid Consumer Shifts Challenge Walmart

Managing the supply chain and

the continual shifts in consumer demand have provided new challenges for Walmart, its president and CEO John Furner said during Groceryshop 2022.

“These changes in consumer behavior really became noticeable and acute early this year. In February, we saw quite a few shifts happen at a pace we haven’t seen,” he said during his interview with Melissa Repko, retail and consumer reporter with CNBC.

Furner, who has led Walmart since late 2019, said that during the past few quarters, the retailer has seen consumers switching to smaller pack sizes, altering what they purchase in protein categories, and moving from wet dog food to dry dog food.

“In the last few weeks (as of late September) It seems we are seeing some slight improvement,” he said. “We have some categories now that are disinflated versus last year, things like beef and in some cases poultry. It’s of course too early to tell how long this is going to continue, but there are some signs that some categories have adjusted some.”

Furner also spoke about how Walmart is attracting and retaining new, higher-income customers, and how the retailer’s Walmart+ member ship program is benefiting customers. Studies have pointed towards price being the most important factor when customers plan to shop for gatherings this holiday season.

“The majority of our share gains have been with customers who earn more than $100,000 per year, so when we take a step back and look, what we’re trying to do is ensure that a family, whether you’re time-starved or budget-starved, we’re able to serve you in the way you’d like to be served,” said Furner. “The flexibility that the organization has put together over the last few years [through its delivery options] I think helps us with positioning over the long run. Frequency of delivery and density of

delivery are really important.”

He continued, “Things have balanced out a bit more, but we still see some unpredictability. There’s still some tightness at the ports, so some of the things you’re seeing in stores now are certainly earlier than we expected. For the most part we’ve been able to balance out some of the risks and uncertainties, but there are certain commodities that may just be too early to tell yet what’s going to happen.”

Solutions to the supply chain chal lenges for the retailer include a few creative strategies, Furner said. In August, Walmart opened a new hightech consolidation center in Lebanon,

Pa., which services all 42 Walmart distribution centers in the U.S.

“In the last 12-18 months we’ve become much more flexible with the way we move inventory,” he said. “The backups that we saw early this year cause you to think differently.”

Furner also discussed Walmart’s recent investments in Plenty, a vertical farming company, and Sustainable Beef, a rancher-owned beef company.

“In both of these cases we’re ex cited about the opportunities and in vestments,” he said. “And we think that over the long term, things like vertical farming or sustainable beef will be important not only for avail ability for customers, but ultimately

Fast forward to today and we have over 500 Thrive Market branded products on the site. They’re the best selling, most re-ordered products on the site, and last year we did over $100 million in sales just from the Thrive Market brand.

— Nick Green, Thrive Market co-founder and CEO

we have a responsibility to help with sustainable products, and make sure our supply chains are running smoothly in the future.”

Thrive Market CEO Talks

Private Label, Perks of Membership Model

Nick Green, co-founder and CEO of Thrive Market, said that Thrive’s mission as a company to sell accessible, unique, healthy products translated to a private label strategy when the company became large enough to venture into selling its own brand products.

“We launched about a half dozen products initially and every one of them was ‘upleveling,’ innovating,

doing something different,” he said during an interview with CNBC business reporter Melissa Repko. “Fast forward to today and we have over 500 Thrive Market branded products on the site. They’re the best selling, most re-ordered products on the site, and last year we did over $100 million in sales just from the Thrive Market brand.”

Green added that offering a curated assortment of private label products is important for keeping Thrive’s portfolio to a high standard, as well as offering quality prices for members of the retailer. Founded in 2015, Thrive Market’s private label assortment now spans wine, supplements, frozen food, prepared

meals, home products and more.

“We start by hyper-curating the catalog. We offer an order of mag nitude fewer SKUs than you’d find at a retailer,” he said. “We have a very high bar for letting new prod ucts onto the site, but we also work really collaboratively with new brands. About half of the products on Thrive Market, even under the Thrive Market brand, are launch ing for the first time [on Thrive Market]. We can use our data to look at not only what people are buying right now, but what they want or can’t find, and we’ll launch products or brands that take some risk that other retailers might not be able to take because they don’t have that data.”

Similar to club retailers, Thrive Market’s membership model allows for better pricing on branded and private label products. Green said that while inflation has raised costs on shipping, the retailer’s model and creative packaging solutions have helped customers save.

For any product to get into that [private label] assortment it has to meet three criteria: it has to be equivalent or higher quality than the national brands, it has to be at a lower retail price to the consumer, and it has to be at a higher penny profit for Casey’s.

— Darren Rebelez, Casey’s president and CEO

“It might seem counterintuitive because you pay for the membership $60 a year, but what it enables us to do is give much better pricing on the products themselves,” he said. “We’ve made changes to our box, to our packaging to try and cut out costs, and we’ve also introduced new ways for our members to save. We’ve started to give more case packs, buy-more save-more, auto-ship and save… almost a third of our sales are on recurring orders. In general, we’re finding that people value their membership more when they are saving at a higher rate.”

Casey’s Discusses Rewards, Pizza and Private Label

Darren Rebelez, president and CEO of Iowa-based convenience chain Casey’s, cited the Casey’s app and rewards program that was launched in 2020 as a driver of growth for the convenience chain.

set out to do a couple of different things [in 2020],” he said during an interview with Bonnie Herzog, managing director at Goldman Sachs. “We revamped our website, launched a new mobile app, launched our e-commerce platform, and at the same time launched our rewards program. The rewards program is really unique for a couple of reasons. You accumulate points but because we sell so many different things, you can use those points for a lot of different purchases. Points you earn from gasoline, you can use them to buy pizza.”

Rebelez said that in about two and a half years, the Casey’s rewards program has grown to about 5. 5 million members. Casey’s operates more than 2,400 stores in 16 states in the Midwest and Great Plains regions.

“Our Casey’s members visit a store 15% more frequently than our non-members and spend about 12% more per visit than our non-members,” he added.

Known for its pizza, Rebelez said that the chain is continuing to expand its prepared food options, and that Casey’s’ pizza has a halo effect on private label products. He added that Casey’s customers, like most Americans, are flocking to private brands as a result of the current inflationary period.

“The pizza platform is the backbone of our e-commerce business… early on, part of our strategy was to expand our private label business,” said Rebelez. “Today, it’s [private brands] about 5.5% of our grocery and general merchandise business, but about 9% of our gross profit dollars for that business. We set a high bar with that program, for any product to get into that assortment it has to meet three criteria: it has to be equivalent or higher quality than the national brands, it has to be at a lower retail price to the consumer, and it has to be at a higher penny profit for Casey’s.”

60631

60631

ACETAIA BELLEI F1701

AGROLEGUMI F1706

ALDINO F1724

ALIMENTA PRODUZIONI F1828

ANDRIANI F1800

ARTE BIANCA F1818

BACHET F1825

BOCON F1811

CAMPO D'ORO F1702

CERRETO F1728

CLAS F1827

CREA VINI F1725

DE MATTEIS

AGROALIMENTARE F1714

DEANGELIS F1801

DELIZIE BAKERY F1731

DELIZIE DI

CALABRIA F1824

DIAL FUNGHI F1836

DOLCERIA ALBA F1830

EMILIO MAURI F1732

F.I.R.M.A. ITALIA F1710

F.LLI POLLI F1711

FAVA BIBITE F1808

G.M. PICCOLI F1707

GIAS F1805

GRUPPO MILO F1703

GUSTIBUS ALIMENTARI F1831

INDUSTRIA

ALIMENTARE

FERRARO F1826

LE VIE DEL TARTUFO F1813

LUCARELLI ALFERINO F1814

MACORITTO VALENTINO F1810

MOLINO F.LLI

CHIAVAZZA F1726

MONTALBANO

INDUSTRIA

AGROALIMENTARE F1803

NOVE ALPI F1700

OLEIFICIO ZUCCHI F1719

OLIOCRU F1709

- www.italianprivatelabel.com

Acetaia Bellei

Via C. Testa, 3/B 41030 Bomporto (MO) - Italy T. +39 059 909111 office@bellei.it www.bellei.it/en

Contact person Giulio Tudini Bellei giulio.tudinibellei@bellei.it

U.S. Agent Alan Green T. +1 (201) 207 9770 alangreen@bellei.it

Higher quality producer of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena 100% Made in Italy Quality, Tradition, Passion.

Certifications: USDA Organic , Gluten Free, NON-GMO

Agrolegumi

Via Pendino, 117 84010, San Marzano sul Sarno (SA) - Italy T. +39 081 19093159 contact@agrolegumi.it www.agrolegumi.it

Contact person Umberto Vollono uvollono@agrolegumi.it

Aldino

Via Eugenio Montale, 21/23 Casaleone (VR) 37052 - Italy T. +39 0442 332040 info@mennucci.it www.mennucci.it

Contact person Bruno Scheidt bscheidt@sanremo.com.au

As world’s leading producer of canned pulses, Agrolegumi is strongly exportfocused and mainly producer under private label brands. High quality standard has been proved by BRC(AA), IFS, Kosher, Halal and Organic certifications. As member of Elite network by London Stock Exchange, we are committed to reaching the highest ESG values.

Certifications: BRC(AA), IFS, Kosher, Halal and Organic certifications.

U.S. Agent Annamaria Tamma T. + 1 (724) 331 9993 annamaria.tamma@gmail.com

A market leader in the pasta category, being one of the few companies that can directly produce a full range of products, through its multiple manufacturing sites. Our products include: durum wheat pasta, egg pasta, gluten free, legumes, organic, oven baked specialties, baby pasta, pizzoccheri, nests, multigrain, lasagna and more.

Certifications: BRC, IFS, USDA Organic, Gluten Free, Kosher, Halal, Demeter

- www.italianprivatelabel.com

Alimenta Produzioni

Via del Progresso, 6 47838 Riccione (RN) - Italy T. +39 0541-729427 info@alimentaproduzioni.it www.alimentaproduzioni.it

Contact person Alessandro Giammona export@alimentaproduzioni.it

Andriani

Via Niccolò Copernico Zona Pip 70024 Gravina in Puglia (BA) - Italy T. +39 080 3255801 info@andrianispa.com www.andrianispa.com

Contact person Francesco Andriani f.andriani@andrianispa.com

U.S. Agent Alessandro Giammona T. +39 335 6467535 export@alimentaproduzioni.it

Alimenta Produzioni is a leading producer of specialty regional bakery products located in the Italian region of Romagna. We are the first producer of PGI Piadinas and Pinsas. Our products are made with organic flour, skilfully stretched out by hand using wholesome and tasty ingredients.

Certifications: IGP, IFS Food, Vegan Andriani SpA Societá Benefit and B-Corp is specialized in the production of gluten free pasta and has positioned itself as leader of the innovation food industry, making sustainability the core feature of its growth.

Certifications: B CORP, IFS, BRC, USDA, GF, NON-GMO, OU, Gluten Free

Arte Bianca

Via del Trifoglio, 18/22 30175 Venezia - Italy T. +39 041 5384233 info@artebiancagroup.it www.artebiancagroup.it

Contact person Antonella Napolitano a.napolitano@artebiancagroup.it

Since 1968 located in Venice, Arte Bianca is the original manufacturer of the Italian Tramezzini sandwich bread. Softest trendy bread without crust, loved by the whole family. Italian market leader with wide catalogue of conventional, organic, white, whole, with spelt, cereal flakes and one for kids. All vegan, without preservatives. Shelf stable.

Certifications: BRC (AA), IFS (Higher level), ORGANIC, OK VEGAN

- www.italianprivatelabel.com

Bachet

Via Mastroppa, 13 46040 Monzambano (MN) - Italy T. + 39 037 6809787 export@bachet.it www.bachet.it

Contact person Andrea Beghini andrea@bachet.it

Artisan Bakery company since 1923. Product lines include; salty, sweet and seasonal (also organic). Salty Line: Grissoni, Schiacciatine, Crispread of different flavors. Sweet Line: Cakes with dried fruit (almond and hazelnut) Tarts with Italian jam, Panettoni and Colombe. Raw materials used Italian Flour, Tomato, Almonds, Hazelnuts, Cocoa, Turmeric, Apricot Jam, Forest Fruits, Cherry. Panettone with almonds or pistachio.

Certifications: BRC, Organic, HCCP

Bocon

Via Montello 72, 31053 Pieve di Soligo (TV) - Italy T. + 39 0438 980130 bocon@bocon.it www.bocon.it

Contact person Filippo Gaudenzi filippogaudenzi@bocon.it

U.S. Agent

Bocon USA, Inc. T. + 39 348 3918456 filippogaudenzi@bocon.it

We are an Italian manufacturer of premium frozen ready meals, specialized in traditional Italian recipes and innovative alternatives (Gluten Free, plant-based). We are trusted partners for US Private Label in multiple categories, including Gnocchi (plain, stuffed or seasoned), Baked Meals (vegetable based and pasta), Risotto, Vegetable salads, Snacks and Desserts.

Certifications: BRCGS, IFS Food

Campo d’Oro

Contrada Scunchipane 92019 Sciacca (AG) - Italy T. + 39 0925 80100 cd@campodoro.com www.campodoro.com

Contact person Paolo Licata T. +1 (917) 795-4311 licata@campodoro.com

U.S. Agent

Francesco Marcocci T. +1 (312) 967-8700 marcocci@campodoro.com

Campo d’Oro has been producing (in Sicily), more than 150 gourmet specialities for many years, and serve our U.S. customers from our Chicago warehouse. Our products range from Antipasti, Tomato Sauces, Pesto, Pates, Olives, Jam, Sweet Creams, Sea Salt and organic specialty. We use only highly regulated 100% Natural Ingredients, Non-GMO.

Certifications: BRC, IFS, FSSC 22000, Kosher, Halal, Organic, Vegan, NON-GMO

Cerreto Organic

Via Verdi, 15 42043 Gattatico (RE) - Italy T. +39 0522475811 info@cerretobio.com www.cerretobio.com

Contact person Massimo Cangiotti m.cangiotti@cerretobio.com

U.S. Agent

Fabio Sciortino f.sciortino@intavola.com

Cerreto produces and distributes organic seeds, legumes, grains, soups, ready-tocook-meals.

Certifications: Organic, BRC, IFS, Kosher

Clas

Via Monte Pasubio, 37 18027 Chiusanico (IM) - Italy T. +39 0183 529027 info@clapsesto.com www.claspesto.com

Contact person Fabrizio Bruna f.bruna@claspesto.com

Crea Vini

Via Colle Ceraso, 51 66032 Castel Frentano (CH) - Italy T. +39 0872 981870 creavini@creavini.it www.creavini.it

Contact person Simone Di Tommaso manager@creavini.it

Based in the Italian region of Liguria, Clas is a producer of pesto (in over 300 recipe variations), sauces, condiments sauces, and sauces for bruschetta. Specialized in private label.

Certifications: BRC, IFS, Organic

U.S. Agent

Salvo Bonanno T. + 1. (312) 532-4006 salvo.bonanno@gmail.com

Production of quality wines from Abruzzo and other Italian regions. Creation of ready-to-drink beverages and cocktails.

De Matteis Agroalimentare

A.S.I. Valle Ufita 83040 Flumeri (AV) - Italy T. +39 0825 4212 info@dematteisfood.it www.dematteisfood.it

Contact person Luca Nava luca.nava@dematteisfood.it

U.S. Agent Luca Nava T. +1 (646) 629-8554 luca.nava@dematteisfood.it www.pastarmando.com

De Matteis Agroalimentare SpA, specializes in the production of top quality pasta with control of its entire production process: Shapes: Long; Short; Sfoglia; Nests; Lasagne; Artisan - Die: Bronze; Teflon; Laminated; Quick cook - Recipe: Durun Wheat; Organic; Eggs; Wholewheat; Fiber added; Vegetable puree added; Tricolor.

Certifications: ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, BRC issue 8, IFS issue 6, SA 8000:2014, Halal, Kosher.

Deangelis

Loc. La Valle snc 01035 Gallese (VT) - Italy T. +39 0761 405760 info@deanocciola.com www.deanocciola.com

Contact person Federico Guitarrini federico@deanocciola.com

The De Angelis family has been producing organic spreads for over 60 years. Their Deanocciola brand features high quality hazelnut and chocolate spreads with and without milk. Deanocciola has also become the reference point for the organic-vegan market. We also produce a line of pure nut butters and pure oil seed butters.

Certifications: Organic, BRC, IFS, Kosher, Fairtrade, UTZ

Delizie Bakery

Corso Asti, 26 12051 Alba (CN) - Italy T. +39 0173 366 993 +39.333.90.80.112 export@deliziebakery.com www.deliziebakery.com

Contact person Agostino Lorè T. +1 (312) 967-8700 export@deliziebakery.com

U.S. Agent Francesco deQuerquis Salvatore Russo Tel. +1 (347) 554-1671

We are a northern Italian manufacturer of bakery products and owners of the brands: Barbero, Gualino and Biscotti di Pamparato. Our company specializes in the production of Breadsticks, Biscuits, Rusks, Bruschetta, Sweet and Savory snacks, and Breadcrumbs. We use natural ingredients and no artificial flavorings.

Certifications: BRC, IFS, Kosher OU

Delizie di Calabria

Via Conti Ruffo, 17 88100 Catanzaro (CZ) - Italy T. +39 0961 63507 export@deliziedicalabria.it www.deliziedicalabria.it

Contact person

Jonathan Scalise jscalise@deliziedicalabria.it

U.S. Agent

Francesco Miceli T. +39 331 3133373 fmiceli@deliziedicalabria.it

Delizie di Calabria is an Italian food family-run business established by Mimmo Scalise and his family in 1989. Production of Calabrian chili pepper and delicious preserved foods according to the authentic traditional receipts.

Certifications: BRC, IFS, ISO VISION 22000:2018, ISO 22005:2007, Organic

Dial funghi

Via dei Prati, 60 38057 Pergine Valsugana (TN) - Italy T. + 39 0461 534505 info@dialfunghi.it www.dialfunghi.it

Contact person Karen Lucy Veltman commerciale@dialfunghi.it

DIAL has been operating in the mushroom field for over 30 years and is the leading company in the processing of dried mushrooms in Italy. Products range from dried mushrooms to ready to use mushroom sauces. Atmosphere Controlled Laboratories for Mycological Operators. Highly trained technical staff. Internal Analysis Laboratory.

Certifications: BRC, IFS, Organic (ICEA), Vegan, Kosher (EUK)

Dolceria Alba

Strada Vicinale delle Cappellette, 8 10026 Santena (TO) - Italy T. +39 011 0625611 dolceria@dolceriaalba.it www.dolceriaalba.it

Contact person

Carmela Lucariello Carlo Rolle c.lucariello@dolceriaalba.it c.rolle@dolceriaalba.it

Producers of high-quality frozen desserts for supermarkets, club stores and foodservice, mainly for private labels, thanks to its maximum flexibility in meeting the customer’s needs. They export to 65 countries. Their desserts do not contain hydrogenated fats; palm oil; artificial flavors; preservatives. They only use free-range eggs.

Certifications: BRC, IFS, Halal, Rainforest, FSC

Emilio Mauri

Via Provinciale, 11 23818 Pasturo (LC) - Italy T. + 390341955700 export@mauri.it www.mauri.it

Contact person Rossana Pomi rossana.pomi@mauri.it

F.I.R.M.A. Italia

Via Pavia, 38/40 20835 Muggiò (MB) - Italy T. + 39 039 27 80 485 info@firmaitalia.it www.firmaitalia.it

Contact person Stefania Sironi stefania.sironi@firmaitalia.it

Italian Producer of PDO Cheeses from the Italian region of Lombardy (Taleggio and Gorgonzola) aged in natural alpine caves of Pasturo.

Certifications: BRC, IFS, ISO

Polli

Via Cesare Battisti, 1059 51015 Monsummano Terme (PT) - Italy T. +39 0572 95621 polli@polli.it www.polli.it

Contact person Davide Merli ginevra.ciatti@polli.it

U.S. Agent

Brian Cooke T. + 1 416-527-2900 brian.cooke@bcglobal.ca

F.I.R.M.A. Italia S.p.A. produces a wide range of dehydrated ready meals using typical Italian and international recipes under its own brand and under private label: pastas, spaghetti, risottos, gnocchi, lasagne, lasagnette, flavored polenta and mashed potatoes, sauces, soups, tortellini, flavored cous cous and quinoa, ethnic dishes, and more.

Certifications: BRC (level “A”) - IFS (“Higher Level”)

Since 1872, Polli has been active in the sector of preserved food in both the Italian and international markets. We produce typical Mediterranean and Italian vegetables in oil or in vinegar, sweet/sour, brine, sauces for pasta, pesto’s, olives, Antipasti in oil.

Certifications: IFS Food, BRC Food SGS, ISO 9001

- www.italianprivatelabel.com

Fava bibite

Via Per Novedrate, 111 22066 - Mariano Comense (CO) - Italy T. +39 031 745282 Fax.+39 031 750744 Commerciale@Favabibite.it www.Favabibite.it

Contact person Corti Alberto G.M. Piccoli

The Perla Company

Via Guglielmo D’Alzano, 70 24022 Alzano Lombardo (BG) - Italy T. +39 035 4289644 info@italianpastryexcellence.com www.italianpastryexcellence.com

Contact person Francesca Piccoli francesca@gm-piccoli.com

Fava Bibite is a family-run company based in Northern Italy, operating in the soft drinks business since 1955.We are a leading company specialized in filling glass and Alu bottles, able to do any type of beverages, carbonated or still. We are specialized in high quality production, combining the best ingredients with the highest technology, making innovative craft drinks, free from preservatives, or any kind of additives.

Certifications: SEDEX member, BRC Food Standard, EU Organic, USDA Organic

Gias

Via Nazionale, snc Mongrassano Scalo 87040 Cosenza (CS) - Italy Tel.+39 0984 524711

Contact person Gianluca Morrone sales@giasspa.it www.giasspa.it

U.S. Agent

Mauro Piccoli T. + 1 (929) 466-0284 m.piccoli@theperlacompany.com

Italian Company specializing in frozen bakery products (private label since 1988).

Pastries with particular and recognizable shapes, made using quality ingredients and clean energy. Easy to bake, designed to optimize labor cost: freezer-to-oven.

Certifications: BRC (grade “AA”), IFS (“Higher Level”), Kosher, Vegan/plant-based products available.

Gias has been operating for almost 50 years in the farming and production of frozen foods. It is present in all distribution channels with an extensive line of product offerings. Gias is strongly focused in developing customized Private Label programs for our clients, and we guarantee high quality standards.

Certifications: ISO 9001, ISO 22005, UNI 11233, IFS Food Standard, BRC Global Standard, Organic

- www.italianprivatelabel.com

Gruppo Milo

Via Teologo Valente 70032 Palombaio Bitonto (BA) - Italy T. +39 080 373-5950 sales@gruppomilo.it www.gruppomilo.it

Contact person Peppino Milo sales@gruppomilo.it

Gustibus Alimentari

Via. G Morgia, 9, 95127 Catania (CT) - Italy clienti@gustibusalimentari.it www.gustibusalimentari.it

Contact person Francesco Pecorino francesco.pecorino@gustibusalimentari.it

U.S. Agent

Janis H. Grover T. +1 (908) 797-9847 j.grover@gruppomilo.it

Gruppo Milo manufactures fresh pasta, dry pasta, and savory snacks. We count on 3 production plants, each one dedicated to a specific product range for a total area of 20.000 sqm. We supply the main supermarket chains worldwide and our main strengths are: flexibility, product innovation and the latest technologies.

Certifications: BRC, Halal, Organic, NON-GMO, Vegan, IFS, ISO9001, ISO14001, Kosher

Industria Alimentare Ferraro

Via Bonagge 26/A 36065 Mussolente (VI) - Italy T. +39 0424 577117 info@pastamontegrappa.com www.industriaferraro.com

Contact person Sandro Consuma s.consuma@pastamontegrappa.com

Our greatest product is the Cherry Tomato Sauce processed within 24 hours of harvesting and certified. The wide range of products, which includes ready-made enriched sauces, pesto, bruschette and sweet creams, are all offered and present in large-scale distribution and some products are designed specifically for customer’s labels, also because Gustibus Alimentari is able to offer a private label service.

Certifications: IFS, BRC, ISO 22005: 2008, UTZ, RSPO, Sedex/Smeta, GLOBAL G.A.P., AEO, Social footprint, Friend of the Earth, SA 8000. Dry egg pasta (Fettuccine - Tagliatelle); Dry lasagne; Dry filled pasta (Tortellini); Shelf stable (Ambient) filled pasta (Tortelloni); Frozen ready meals.

Certifications: BRCGS Food Safety, IFS Food

Le Vie del Tartufo

Via del Lavoro snc 06026 Pietralunga (PG) - Italy T. +39 075. 94 60 452 info@leviedeltartufo.it www.jimmytartufi.it/

Contact person

Silvia Cecchini silvia.c@leviedeltartufo.it

U.S. Agent

Daniele Tintori T. +1. (340) 594-2586 daniele.t@leviedeltartufo.it

Le Vie del Tartufo is a leader in the fresh and preserved truffle business for more than 40 years. Thanks to a modern production plant, we offer a wide variety for any sales channel in more than 90 countries worldwide, ensuring certified product quality and strong innovations.

Certifications: IFS, Halal, Organic

Lucarelli Alferino

C/da Boschetto, 49 04010 Rocca Massima (LT) - Italy T. +39 06 9664 152 commerciale@olivelucarelli.it www.olivelucarelli.it

Contact person

Sara Serafini s.serafini@passioneperilfood.com

Production and distribution of table olives, lupins, capers, vegetables preserved in oil, pickles and EVO oil. More than 18 cultivars (olives varieties) are processed from all parts of Italy. Among these: Itrana (Gaeta) olives are a symbol of local excellence as they are produced in the area of Rocca Massima (Lazio Region) where the company is located.

Certification: DOP (Gaeta olives)

Macoritto Valentino

Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi, 1 33082 Azzano Decimo (PN) - Italy T. +39 043 4647003 info@macorittovalentino.com www.imacoritti.it

Contact person

Fabio Bettini f.bettini@macorittovalentino.com

Baked Products, specialty snacks including organic and gluten free.

Certifications: IFS Food, Gluten Free, Organic

Molino F.lli Chiavazza

Via Racconigi, 5 12030 Casalgrasso (CN) - Italy T. +39 011975606 info@molinochiavazza.it www.molinochiavazza.it

Contact person

Marco Decostanzi m.decostanzi@molinochiavazza.it

Molino Chiavazza is one of the most important wheat mills in Italy and a leading producer of flours for domestic consumers and professional use, packaged with own brands or private labels. The company produces also special flours, semolina, rising agents, extruded products and mix for bakery products, bread, cream, cakes and puddings.

Certifications: IFS, BRC, FSSC 22000, Organic and Kosher

Montalbano Industria Agroalimentare

Via Gerbamaggio, 14 51035 Lamporecchio (PT) - Italy T. +39 0573 80041 toscana@montalbanofood.com

Contact person Umberta Oriana umberta@montalbanofood.com

U.S. Agent

Janis Grover T. + 1 (908) 797-9847 janis@montalbanofood.com

Montalbano, founded in Tuscany in 1965, produces at higher quality standards Vegetable Appetizers and Tapenades, Pasta sauces, Pesto and Olives, Artichokes and many other recipes from Tuscan traditions. Leader in Italy, Montalbano sells today in more than 30 Countries. We also produce Organic, Vegan, Kosher and Non GMO.

Certifications: BRC grade A; IFS higher level; ICEA Organic; NON GMO Project verified; Kosher Star-K

Nove Alpi

Via Fiorentina, 419 51100 Pistoia (PT) - Italy T. +39 057 3986467 info@novelpi.it www.agluten.it

Contact person Marco Pinardi m.pinardi@andrianispa.com

Nove Alpi is a company specialized in the production of gluten free bakery products: plum cake, croissant, biscuits and bread.

Certifications: Gluten free

Oleificio Zucchi

Via Acquaviva, 12 26100 Cremona (Cr) - Italy Tel. +39 0372 532111 e-mail: rp@oleificiozucchi.com www.oleificiozucchi.com

Contact person

Annalisa Torri ozmarketing@oleificiozucchi.com

U.S. Agent

Marco Bonati T. +1 (929) 319-1160 e-mail:sales.northamerica@zucchi.us

Since 1810, Zucchi has always produced high quality Private Label products covering the entire range of olive and seed oils (including organic oils), also for its brand. In 2017 Zucchi launched the first traceable private label EVOO from certified sustainable sourcing. Its commitment to sustainability aims to create more value through the whole supply chain and to fully trace every step of the production process.

Certifications:

BRC, IFS, USDA Organic, ISO 14001. ISO 9001, DTP112, DTP125, ISCC PLUS, DTP030

OlioCru

Via Maso Belli 1/b 38066 Riva del Garda (TN) - Italy T. + 39 0464 715344 info@oliocru.it www.oliocru.it

Contact person

Anna Zotta anna.zotta@oliocru.it

Olitalia

Via Meucci 22/A 47122 Forlì (FC) - Italy T. +39 0543 794811 marketing.olitalia@gruppo-olitalia.com www.olitalia.com

Contact person

Silvia Comandini silvia.comandini@gruppo-olitalia.com

Established in 2012, Olio Cru’s ecosustainable circular economy, uses every part of the olive to create products with excellent organoleptic properties. The olive paste left over from the production of oil from pitted olives is transformed and stabilized into OLIVE POWDER. Rich in fibers and polyphenols, with antioxidant and prebiotic qualities, VITAMINS and MINERALS, it’s a functional ingredient to produce healthy food supplements.

Certifications: Organic, DOP

Olitalia Group is one of the most important companies in the Italian oil and vinegar sector. Olitalia Group offers a unique range of products, such as Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Regional Olive Oils PDO/PGI, premium seed oils, wine vinegars and Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI/PDO, all of which are also available for the food service sector.

Certifications: IFS, BRC, Organic, PGI, Halal, Kosher

Pasta Natura

Via Agricoltura 10, 12022 Busca (CN) - Italy T. +39 389 0263562 info@pastanatura.com www.pastanatura.com

Contact person Fulvia Ruata export@pastanatura.com

Pasta Natura is specialized in the production of gluten free products: pasta, flours, biscuits and flakes. Discover our amazing range, you will be surprised!

Certifications: Gluten free, Kosher, Vegan, GFCO, Organic, IFS, Halal

Pasta Raguso

Contrada Ripa D’api, S.P. 139 Km 1,5 85013 Genzano di Lucania (PZ) - Italy T. +39 345 062 2825 info@pastaraguso.it www.pastaraguso.it

Contact person Maurizio Arletti m.arletti@pastaraguso.it

Pasta Raguso has a circular agricultural pasta production. Our bronze-drawn pasta is made only with wheat cultivated in our own fields in Puglia and Basilicata and it is certified Zero Residue. Clean energy is used in artisanal production. You should taste it without sauce to really appreciate its top quality!

Certifications: BRC, IFS, FSC

Policom

Via Zona Industriale SNC 89052 Campo Calabro (RC) - Italy T. +39 0965 641607 info@policomsrl.it www.policomsrl.it

Contact person Francesco Bianchi francesco.bianchi@policomsrl.it

Policom is specialized in production of plant based drinks (almond drink, nuts drinks, oat drink) and nut spreads (pistachio, almond, hazelnut). Our b2b division is also able to develop customized ingredients for drinks, ice-cream/gelato, frozen desserts, yogurts production made with nuts (almond, pistachio, hazelnut, cashew, tiger nut)

Certifications: IFS, BRC, Kosher, Halal, KF, USDA Organic

- www.italianprivatelabel.com

Raff

Zona Industriale Prato Sardo lotto 120 08100 Nuoro - Italy T. +39 0784 296075 commerciale@cuscinetticroccanti.it www.cuscinetticroccanti.com

Contact person Giampietro Daddi commerciale@cuscinetticroccanti.it

RAFF srl was born in the heart of Sardinia. We have revisited the excellence of Sardinian cuisine in a modern key, offering the customer fast, tasty, and genuine solutions, like the Cuscinetti Croccanti: thin, puffy and crunchy “small pillows” of bread, obtained only from the best 100% Sardinian semolina.

Certifications: Vegan

Rodolfi Mansueto

Via Mansueto Rodolfi, 3 43044 Ozzano Taro (PR) - Italy T. + 39 0521 333111 info@rodolfimansueto.com www.rodolfi.com

Contact person Riccardo Conforti riccardo.conforti@rodolfimansueto.com

U.S. Agent

John Paul Bricca

T. +1 (646) 275 0970 jpbricca@thefoodsolution.net

Rodolfi Mansueto Spa since 1896 produces all tomato-based products: concentrates, tomato puree, chopped and crushed tomatoes, sauces, tomato powder and dried vegetables for Ho.re.Ca, retail and industrial channels. In our three production plants, located in the heart of Food Valley, in Parma, we process more than 280.000 tons of fresh tomatoes per year.

Certifications: IFS, BRC, ISO 22005, Kosher, Halal, Organic, ISCC PLUS

Rosso Gargano

Zona ASI – Loc. Incoronata 71122 Foggia (FG) - Italy Tel. +39 0881 680166 e-mail: info@rossogargano.com www.rossogargano.com

Contact person Lino Laudiero info@consorizifoods.com

U.S. Agent

Lino Laudiero T. +1 ( 917) 208-1901 lino@consorzifoods.com

Tomato based products Form the Italian region of Puglia: Whole Peeled, Whole Peeled with Puree, Whole Peeled with Basil, Datterino and Cherry tomato varieties, Tomato Juice, Tomato Paste, Crushed Tomatoes and Bag in Box.

Certifications: BRC, IFS, ISO22005, Kosher, Organic, JAS (organic Japan)

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Ruata F.lli – Goccia D’oro

Frazione Baroli 107 12040 Baldissero d’Alba (CN) - Italy T. +39 017240811 info@ruata.com www.gocciadoro.it

Contact person Fabio Fossanetti fabio@ruata.com

S.I.A. Società Italiana Alimenti

Via P. Togliatti, 20 63073 Offida (AP) - Italy T. +39 0736 888 005 sia@siaspa.it www.societaitalianaalimenti.it

Contact person Maurizio Speca maurizio.speca@siaspa.it

Ruata F.lli Spa Goccia d’Oro company, located in north of Italy, has been producing and selecting the best Italian Olive Oils for three generations. Products of our mill are: Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Grape seed Oil, Pure Olive Oil, Pomace Olive Oil, Organic Oils, Seeds Oil.

Certifications: BRC, IFS, ISO, FSSC 22000, Kosher, Organic

Sorini - Feletti

S.P. Paullese km 45,6 26012 Castelleone (CR) Italy T. +39 0374350150 info@hdi-spa.it www.sorini.it

Contact person Patrick Muscionico patrick.muscionico@hdi-spa.it

U.S. Agent Italian Food Company USA sales@siaitalianfood.com

S.I.A. is Italy’s leading private label frozen food producer of premium, Italian skillet meals, Pancakes, finger food and seafood meals. Amazing quality, convenient, on trend meals made with simple, real ingredients, that are ready to eat in minutes. 9 production lines, 9 packing lines and 2 production facilities.

Certifications: IFS, MSC, ASC, Organic HDI is an Italian chocolate manufacturer with a long tradition, embracing 2 main Brands SORINI since 1923 and FELETTI since 1882. The company exports chocolate specialties to 78 countries all around the globe and besides being focused on Brand building is also well known for the development of Private Labels due to its significant production capacity and wide offer.

Certifications: BRC, IFS, Fairtrade, RFA, RSPO and Kosher

Sottolestelle

C.da Costarelle, SP 45BIS km.12 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo (FG) - Italy T.+39 0882 451949 info@sottolestelle.com www.sottolestelle.com

Contact person Giovanni Pennelli g.pennelli@sottolestelle.com

Since 1998, we have been producing organic bakery products such as bread, biscuits, crackers and unleavened bread. We are also food intolerances specialists and produce gluten-free, dairy-free, eggfree, and yeast-free foods.

Certifications: USDA Organic, ISO 22005

Surgital

Via Bastia 16/1 48071 Conselice - Lavezzola (RA) - Italy T. +39 0545 80328 surgital@surgital.it www.surgital.it

Contact person Alberto Bondanelli a.bondanelli@surgital.it

U.S. Agent

Giacomo Beretta T. +1 (310) 670-0576 C. +1 (562) 607-9839 chann@nuovesales.com www.NuoveSales.com

Surgital is the first Italian producer of fresh frozen pasta, rice, sauces and ready meals. We produce fresh pasta, deep-frozen sauces and deep-frozen traditional Italian first courses with customized product recipes for the world of private label.

Certifications: BRC, IFS, Halal, Kosher, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, SA8000

Surmont

Via Cal Lusent, 71 31040 Pederobba (TV) - Italy T. +39 0423 691981 info@surmont.it www.surmont.it www.cucinasartor.it

Contact person Katia Carlesso k.carlesso@surmont.it

Surmont, is a leading Italian producer of frozen ready meal solutions chef-crafted to highlight Italian vegetables, legumes & grains from Private Label partner to retailers worldwide. We have been offering exclusive, value-added Manufacturing quality food products for over 60 years.

Certifications:

BRC (highest grade “AA+”), IFS (Higher Level), Organic, ISO 22005.2007

Terre di Puglia

Via Aristofane, 27 76123 Andria (BT) - Italy T. +39 088 3886040 info@terredipuglia.it www.terredipuglia.it

Contact person Luciana De Bellis debellis@terredipuglia.it

Terre di Puglia produces Savory and Sweet snacks, also Organic and suitable for Vegans; such as Taralli, icon food that come from the ancient southern Italy recipe, crispy and baked rings made only with the finest ingredients. Our taralli, mini crackers and mini breadstick are the ideal snack at any time of day, to be enjoyed with vegetables, soups, creams and accompanied by beer, wine and aperitifs.

Certifications: BRC, IFS, Organic, Kosher

Tonitto 1939

Via N. S. di Lourdes, 5N 16152 Genova (GE) - Italy T. +39 010 6509494 a.piscioneri@tonitto.com www.tonitto.com

Contact person Alberto Piscioneri

Vergani

Via Tacito, 7 26100 Cremona – ITALY T. +39 0372 434331 export@vergani.it www.vergani.it

Contact person Marina Gritta mgritta@vergani.it

Since its foundation in 1939 Tonitto has been crafting premium quality Italian gelato and sorbet (N.1 in Italy for sorbet and special ice cream). Tonitto 1939 is a family held and managed company which has grown in Retail and Horeca both in Italy and international markets. Luca and Massimiliano Dovo, the third generation of the family, are leading the company, chasing the next balance of tradition, quality and innovation.

Certifications: IFS, BRC, Rain Forest, FDA, Organic

Since 1881, Vergani has been manufacturing typical Italian confectionery specialties such as torrone (nougat candies and bars), chocolate pralines and eggs with many gorgeous fillings, mostarda (spicy candied fruit) and glazed chestnuts.

Certifications: BRC, RSPO, IFS, ISO standards.

- www.italianprivatelabel.com

Zappalà

Via Ardichetto 95019 Zafferana Etnea (CT) - Italy T. +39 335 5282157 export@zappala.it www.zappalà.it

Contact person Alfio Maria Zappalà alfiom.zappala@zappala.it

Esseoquattro

Fraz. Camazzole 1/A 35010 Carmignano di Brenta (PD) - Italy T. +39 049 9430366 so4@so4.it www.esseoquattro.com

Contact person: Francesca Bonato vendite2@so4.it

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La Mediterranea

Via Viazza Sinistra 40054 Mezzolara di Budrio (BO) - Italy T. +39 051 805839 info@lamediterraneasrl.it www.lamediterraneasrl.it

Contact person: Marco Meloro export@lamediterraneasrl.it

U.S. Agent

Alfonso Silvestri T. + 1 (561) 303-8599 alfonso@sociosalesllc.com

Zappalà is the largest cheese producer in Sicily and among the top dairy companies in the Italian retail market. From “Treccione” to “Scamorzas” up to Provola dei Nebrodi. Among them PDO Pecorino, emblem of Sicilian dairy craftsmanship. Typicality and quality come together in a line of cheeses with strong taste.

Certifications: IFS, Organic

F1827

Esseoquattro, is an Italian company that manufactures fresh-preserver and greaseproof packaging for fresh food. The company seeks to transform the perception of packaging: from a simple wrapping to an element as important as the food it contains. Shelf-life maximization and eco-sustainability are some of the keywords that inspire Esseoquattro.

Certifications: PEFC (PEFC/18-31-452), FSC (FSC-C113392), UNI EN ISO 9001:2015

Leading Italian private label manufacturer of fertilizers based on specific customer formulations. Services include label desi gn, personalized packaging solutions and delivery to clients.

ProfiMed

Via P.F. Moia, 86/94 20861 Brugherio (MB) - Italy T. +39 02 95343578 info@profimed.it www.profimed.it

Contact person: Luigi Torre marketing@profimed.it

Relevi

Via Postumia, 1 T. +39 0376 684011 info@relevi.it www.relevi.com

Contact person: Fabio Cazzoli f.cazzoli@relevi.it

Turati Idrofilo

Via 1° Maggio, 242 10062 Luserna S.G. (Torino) - Italy T. +39 0121 955501 info@turati-idrofilo.com turati-idrofilo.com

Contact person: Davide Algeri d.algeri@turati-idrofilo.com

The most important European Dental Floss contract manufacturer, we export worldwide, and serve many US and EU supermarket chains. We also produce surgical masks. 100% made in Italy production. Specialized in eco-friendly dental flosses.

Certifications: ISO 9001:2015, ISO 22716:2007, IFS-HPC:2016, FDA 21 cfr 820.

RELEVI is the European leader in the Private-Label manufacturing of different products, such as gel air fresheners, scented candles, moth repellents and toilet fresheners. RELEVI’S production structure stands out because it is unique in terms of scale, level of automation and degree of vertical integration ofproduction processes.

Certifications: ISO 9001, IFS HPC, AISE Charter for Sustainable Cleaning, ECO CERT Natural Detergent, ECO CERT Natural Origin Home Fragrance, RSPO Roundtable on sustainable Palm Oil

Patented, dry, water-activated wipes for make-up removal and baby cleaning in 100% cotton. No preservatives and no alcohol contained. Wide range of topquality cotton wool products for beauty, baby care, medical and professional sectors. (GOTS certified organic cotton available for all our products).

Certifications: CE mark for medical devices, GOTS certificate for organic cotton products

NOTES

The Italian Trade Agency at PLMA 2022

The Italian Trade Agency (ITA) is the Italian Government Agency promoting the internationalization of Italian companies abroad and the attraction of foreign investment in Italy. ITA provides information, assistance, consulting, promotion and training to Italian small and medium-sized businesses. Using the most modern multi-channel promotion and communication tools, it acts to assert the excellence of Made in Italy around the world.

The Italian Trade Agency works with Italian and foreign companies along with the local authorities and businesses via its worldwide network of 79 offices in 65 countries, linked to Italian embassies and consulates. ITA offices are the ideal gateway for enterprises willing to establish business relationships with Italian partners, from sourcing Italian products, to investment opportunities in Italy.

ROME

Via Liszt, 21 00144 Rome, Italy

T. +39 06 59921

F. +39 06 89280353 urp@ice.it

HOUSTON

777 Post Oak Blvd Suite 320 Houston, TX 77056

T. +1 281 888 4288

NEW YORK

33 East 67th Street New York, NY 10065

T. +1 212 980 1500

F. +1 212 758 1050 newyork@ice.it

LOS ANGELES

1900 Avenue of the Stars Suite 350 Los Angeles, CA 90067

T. +1 323 879 0950

CHICAGO

401 N. Michigan Avenue Suite 1720 Chicago, IL 60611

T. +1 312 670 4360

F. +1 312 670 5147 chicago@ice.it

MIAMI

1 SE 3rd Avenue Suite 1000 Miami, FL 33131

T. +1 305 461 3896

F. +1 310 203 8335 losangeles@ice.it

F. +1 786 497 8900 miami@ice.it

F. +1 281 974 3100 houston@ice.it www.ice.it