When I think of Kroger, I think of a normal grocery store. A grocery store with both brand name and generic products. A grocery store with sales and a rewards program. A grocery store you could find in any suburb. I certainly do not think of cutting edge. Thanks to my recent trip to a professional food show, I learned that Kroger is actually at the forefront of new products, small brands, and interesting trends.
Kroger’s Go Fresh & Local Supplier Accelerator is a program that Kroger created two years ago to help foster relationships with small and diverse brands based in the U.S. The intention is to “offer additional opportunities” to “suppliers of every size to collaborate and help our businesses grow, succeed and innovate.”
And while this may seem just like philanthropy, it’s a smart move for Kroger. By getting in early with up-and-coming brands, Kroger guarantees that they will have interesting new products no one else has.
Each year, Kroger selects a handful of small companies for this program. Keep an eye out at a Kroger near you for this year’s Kroger Go Fresh & Local Supplier Accelerator brands:
Maazah (Minneapolis, MN) – A women-owned, family-owned, Afghan-owned company making “bright, bold, and balanced Afghan-style chutney.”
Coro Foods (Kent, WA) – An ethically sourced and creatively crafted cured meats from a women-owned company. They specialize in salami, offering flavors like lemongrass and mole as well as the classics, but they also make some specialty meats like lamb prosciutto.
Nona Lim (Oakland, CA) – A women-owned, Asian-owned company selling refrigerated noodle kits like pad see ew and teriyaki ramen with “clean ingredients” and “big fresh flavors.”
Queen Charlotte’s Pimento Cheese Royale (Charlotte, NC) – Pimento cheese from a family-owned business in Charlotte, NC created by two North Carolina natives.
Zacca Hummus (Boise, ID) – A Lebanese-owned business making non-GMO, gluten-free, and artificial preservative-free hummus using their family recipe.
The Ugly Company (Kingsburg, CA) – Snacks made using “ugly” produce with the intention to “prevent food waste and add value back to our family farms.”
Soul Food Starters (Macedonia, OH) – A Black-owned, woman-owned business specializing in seasoning kits based on family recipes.
Soupergirl (Washington, D.C.) – Ready-to-eat soups made with vegan, kosher, and sustainably sourced ingredients from a women-owned company out of our nation’s capital.
Hiatus (Baltimore, MD) – A Black-owned, “community-focused” business making premium cheesecakes in delicious flavors like sweet potato and Oreo with natural ingredients.
