Giant Supermarkets Partner with Rodale Institute to Support Organic Farming
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This article originally appeared in Presence Marketing’s April 2021 Industry Newsletter
By Steven Hoffman
Supermarket leader The Giant Company announced it has partnered with the Rodale Institute to step up its support of organic farming as part of the company’s efforts to promote more sustainable agriculture, and to reduce food insecurity, Supermarket News reported. Carlisle, PA-based Giant Foods, a division of Ahold Delhaize, operates 190 supermarkets in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. Widely recognized as a founder of the modern organic food movement, Rodale Institute is a global leader in regenerative organic agriculture, Giant said in a statement. “Through education, research and training, Rodale Institute is quite clearly leading the charge to transform farming for the better,” said Nicholas Bertram, President of The Giant Company. “Their important work complements our other environmental initiatives including offsetting our carbon footprint, creating pollinator habitats, and reducing food waste,” he said. As part of a new “Healing the Planet” initiative, Giant said it will work to support three of Rodale's initiatives, including helping farmers transition to growing organic crops; an internship that trains farmers for a career in regenerative organic agriculture; and a research project aimed at increasing organic land. “Despite the organic food market reaching $55 billion last year, only 1% of U.S. cropland is currently organic," said Jeff Moyer, CEO of the Rodale Institute. "Now more than ever, it's critical that food retailers, farmers, and consumers join together to advocate for the food system they want to see — one that heals both people and the planet." Russell Redding, Pennsylvania's Secretary of Agriculture, applauded the partnership and pointed out that the state is a national leader in organic sales. "These targeted investments grow opportunities for consumers to buy what they want and farmers and grocers to earn more, and investing in regenerative farming improves our soil and water so we can keep growing in the future," he said.
Why Amazon Fresh Stores May Rock Some Boats
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This article originally appeared in Presence Marketing’s April 2021 Industry Newsletter
By Steven Hoffman
Now that he’s had a chance to study the Amazon Fresh grocery store concept, first opened last summer, supermarket industry analyst Bill Bishop offered some ideas on how grocers can view this new competitor, “one that appears to offer a dual threat to both online and in-store business,” reported Supermarket News. With store locations in high population densities with above average median income and high daytime populations, the prominent physical presence is meant to provide high visibility and consumer confidence, Bishop noted. Also, because Amazon Fresh stores have smaller footprints than most newer supermarkets and often make “second use” of existing buildings, Amazon Fresh stores can be opened with a lower capital investment and a lower occupancy cost, meaning Amazon Fresh stores can stay profitable at increasingly competitive margins. As such, Bishop advised grocers to continually find ways to take costs out of their business without sacrificing their value propositions so they can operate profitably as competition heats up. Also, at a time when many grocery retailers are promoting curbside pickup (delivery costs can be high for retailers dealing with local online orders), Amazon Fresh is aggressively promoting delivery as a benefit of Amazon Prime membership, Bishop said. “Amazon is focused on a fulfillment option that many customers would prefer if it didn’t include an added cost,” he wrote. In addition, due to the store’s smaller size, “but with all the brands most shoppers would want,” Amazon is making its Fresh stores “time-effective to shop,” Bishop noted. Price-wise, while Amazon says it’s Fresh stores will be affordable, the extra 10% discount Prime members receive reinforces a perception of value, while Amazon captures valuable purchase data. Technology, too, while in the background, will be an important feature of Amazon Fresh stores, Bishop observed. “From a shopper’s point of view, this store has a lot to like. It will probably appeal most to Millennial shoppers who sense how the layout of the store and products tilt toward their lifestyle preferences — think of it as bigger than a Trader Joe’s but smaller than a typical supermarket with enough product and brand choice to satisfy most customers, along with more technology-delivered customer service,” Bishop described. Bishop predicted that Amazon Fresh stores pose a dual threat to more traditional grocery retailers operating around them. To counter its online offering, grocers must find ways to lower the cost of delivery or risk letting Amazon dominate that market segment. To counter its in-store offering, it will be necessary to invest in technology that gives their customers who want the opportunity to skip the checkout lane or at minimum, speed up the regular checkout process so that it is a pleasant service experience, Bishop advised.
HealthLine Projects the Top 7 Vitamin and Supplement Trends of 2021
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This article originally appeared in Presence Marketing’s April 2021 Industry Newsletter
By Steven Hoffman
The dietary supplement industry experienced its highest growth in more than two decades, with a 12.1% increase in 2020 as U.S. consumers focused during the coronavirus pandemic on improving their health and fitness and boosting immunity and wellness, reported HealthLine. The growth trend is expected to continue into 2021, with the following seven trends highlighted by HealthLine for the coming year: 1. Stress and Mental Health – consumers are turning to supplements to support mental health, and a recent report anticipates brain and mental health supplements will grow 8.5% over the next six years; 2. Beauty Support – there’s an increased interest in beauty as a subcategory of the supplements industry, said HealthLine, which reported that Google searches for collagen supplements increased 33% over the past year; 3. Immune Health – there’s been a 50% increase in consumers seeking out immune supporting supplements, according to HealthLine, and expect to see growth in sales of zinc, selenium, B complex vitamins, vitamins C and D, elderberry, echinacea, astragalus, turmeric, ginger, and in particular, medicinal mushroom extracts including chaga, cordyceps, lion’s mane, reishi and others; 4. Vitamin D – As studies link low vitamin D levels with increased risk of complications from COVID-19, vitamin D continues to lead the charge as the top nutrient for overall health, HealthLine said; 5. More Enjoyable Supplement Experiences – Think gummies as consumers seek more convenient and enjoyable delivery vehicles for dietary supplements; 6. Trustworthy Companies – consumers are becoming increasingly knowledgeable about their health, and they’re growing wary of misleading or false health claims, and consumers will pay more for brands they trust to be transparent and honest about their products; and 7. Pet Nutrition – among the fastest growing categories in the pet industry are supplements and pet food products to help ease anxiety, aid skin issues and improve our pets’ gut health, and the pet dietary supplements market is projected to reach a valuation of #3.78 billion by the end of 2021, HealthLine reported.
Natural and Organic Products Sales Grow 12.7% to $259 Billion in 2020
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This article originally appeared in Presence Marketing’s April 2021 Industry Newsletter
By Steven Hoffman
Natural and organic products sales grew an estimated 12.7% to $259 billion, with sales on track to surpass $300 billion by 2023, reported New Hope Network at its virtual Spark Brand Success event, held March 2-4, 2021. Sales were accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, as consumers cooked more meals at home and developed a greater interest in healthier food, wellness and boosting immunity. “2020 was a challenging year. But natural and organic brands face a bright future. We are positioned where a growing number of consumers are headed,” Carlotta Mast, SVP and Market Leader at New Hope Network said at the event, the Fermentation Association reported. Natural and organic food and beverages (39% of total sales) and functional food and beverages (31% of total sales) dominate the market, reported the Fermentation Association. Other key findings include: Consumers are prioritizing health and are seeking immunity-boosting and nutrient-dense foods. However, while consumers are focusing on health and wellness more than ever, they’re also struggling with junk food, lack of exercise, and anxiety and sleep issues emerged in 2020. Also, binge drinking is up a disturbing 41% among women since the start of the pandemic, Mast noted. Consumers want less sugar and fewer carbs and additives, and plant-based foods, pantry staples, frozen foods and meat/fish/poultry experienced the highest growth rates, while snack foods and packaged and prepared foods declined as fewer people opted for grab and go offerings during lockdown. Of note, Mast said the pandemic accelerated e-commerce sales, which grew 60% in 2020, generating $16.5 billion in natural and organic products sales. She noted that natural products are outpacing conventional products in e-commerce, with natural shoppers spending on average twice as much as those that buy “traditional” items online. “As you all know, organic is mainstream now,” Mast said. “During other economic downturns that we’ve experienced, the organic sector has typically taken a hit when it comes to sales growth, but not in 2020,” she said.
Join Carlotta Mast and Ryan Pintado-Vertner on Compass Coffee Talk, April 14, 11:30am EDT
Dismantling Barriers
Join Carlotta Mast and Ryan Pintado-Vertner as they discuss 'The Path to Systemic Change in the Natural Products Industry through Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (J.E.D.I)’
Wednesday, April 14, 11:30am - Noon EDT
Zoom, Admission is Free
Carlotta Mast (Left) and Ryan Pintado-Vertner (Right)
Industry veterans and co-hosts of Compass Coffee Talk Bill Capsalis and Steven Hoffman will chat in real time with Carlotta and Ryan via Zoom and share with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and communicators ways to dismantle barriers and work toward systemic change in the natural products industry. Carlotta, also the co-founder of the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (J.E.D.I.) Collaborative, will speak on how the organization helps shape productivity in an increasingly multicultural marketplace. Additionally, Ryan will provide insight on how J.E.D.I. can help mission-driven brands and organizations capitalize on growth while also maximizing the company’s ability to create racial, economic, and climate justice.
About Carlotta Mast
With 20 years of experience, Carlotta has her finger on the pulse of new health, wellness and natural product trends and the forces shaping consumer attitudes and behaviors. Carlotta is a frequent speaker at industry events and conferences and has been interviewed about the natural products industry, regulatory issues and market performance by media outlets including The New York Times, Cosmopolitan, NPR, ABC News, BusinessWeek and many others.
About Ryan Pintado-Vertner
Ryan Pintado-Vertner is the Founder & Principal at Smoketown, a boutique consultancy that helps mission-driven brands and organizations maximize their growth while also maximizing their ability to create racial justice, economic justice and climate justice. Smoketown's empathy-driven work includes brand and innovation strategy, consumer research, outsourced marketing management, and mission refinement.
About Compass Coffee Talk™
Take a 30-minute virtual coffee break with Compass Coffee Talk™. Hosted by natural industry veterans Bill Capsalis and Steve Hoffman, Coffee Talk features lively interactive conversations with industry leaders and experts designed to help guide entrepreneurs and businesses of any size succeed in the market for natural, organic, regenerative, hemp-derived and other eco-friendly products.
Compass Coffee Talk™ is produced by Compass Natural Marketing, a leading PR, branding and business development agency serving the natural and organic products industry. Learn more.
VIEW OUR PAST COMPASS COFFEE TALK EPISODES ON YOUTUBE
U.S. Hemp Brokerage Adds Willie Nelson’s Willie’s Remedy™, Wana Wellness™, First Crop™ and Plain Jane™ to Its Portfolio of Hemp and CBD Brands
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
“On the Road Again”
U.S. Hemp Brokerage Adds Willie Nelson’s Willie’s Remedy™, Wana Wellness™, First Crop™ and Plain Jane™ to Its Portfolio of Hemp and CBD Brands
In addition to representing the country music icon’s hemp extract brand, Willie’s Remedy™, in natural channel retail and distribution, U.S. Hemp Brokerage has added to its product portfolio Wana Wellness™, a new line of hemp offerings from leading cannabis company Wana Brands; First Crop™, a standard setter in USDA Certified Organic hemp-derived CBD products; and Plain Jane™, the fastest-growing smokable hemp brand in the nation.
“If you haven’t heard of us yet, we expect you will very soon.” – Jeff Cole, Founder and Managing Director, U.S. Hemp Brokerage
Longmont, CO (March 15, 2021) – Manufacturers in the natural food, beverage, personal care and dietary supplement markets have long engaged sales brokerage firms to help represent them to leading independent and chain grocers and retailers across the country.
Now, Colorado-based U.S. Hemp Brokerage LLC (USHB) is firmly positioned to become the premiere brokerage firm exclusively dedicated to preparing and selling the highest quality and most efficacious hemp-derived consumer products market-wide.
USHB offers natural channel retailers a full range of products, including full-spectrum hemp extracts, dietary supplements and personal care products, and hemp-infused coffees, teas, functional foods, beverages and more. The brokerage also has extensive experience in promoting and selling related non-cannabinoid hemp-derived consumer products such as hemp bioplastics, clothing, bedding, furniture and more. In addition, USHB represents leading smokable hemp brands including Diesel Hemp, Plain Jane and Star Farm Organics.
Launched in 2019, U.S. Hemp Brokerage spent the pandemic months retooling and reinventing itself. “We decided to go small last year, and feel very fortunate to be coming through this pandemic stronger than when we first launched,” said Jeffrey Cole, a hemp industry sales, marketing, communications and media veteran, who founded U.S. Hemp Brokerage and serves as its Managing Partner.
Visit U.S. Hemp Brokerage at NoCo Hemp Expo, March 26-27, 2021, at the National Western Complex in Denver, CO. Visit www.nocohempexpo.com for more information.
Representing All-Star Brands
Having worked over the past year in building its brand portfolio, the U.S. Hemp Brokerage team is excited to represent the following leading brands, offering natural channel retailers full-service, COVID-compliant, customized promotional marketing and demo support.
Willie’s Remedy™ – U.S. Hemp Brokerage is pleased to announce it has been appointed to represent in the natural retail channel Willie Nelson’s brand Willie’s Remedy™, a Denver, CO-based line of organically grown, full spectrum hemp-infused products. The product line was inspired by legendary country music icon Willie Nelson and his wife Annie Nelson, and includes hemp-infused coffee, tea, tinctures, and topicals which are coming this year.
First Crop™ – Complementing the Willie’s Remedy product line, USHB was appointed to provide market readiness consulting and brokerage services for First Crop™, the Santa Fe, NM, CBD farm and product group dedicated to regenerative and organic agriculture. First Crop manufactures USDA Certified Organic hemp products including functional tinctures and supplements, such as Calm and Sleep, made with full spectrum hemp extract and adaptogenic botanicals. “First Crop sets an innovative new standard for adaptogenic hemp products. We’re honored to represent them,” said Cole.
Wana Wellness™ – In addition, USHB is pleased to represent Wana Wellness™, a brand new line of hemp-derived wellness products from top-selling cannabis manufacturer Wana Brands. A pioneer in edibles since 2010, Wana has made its name by incorporating quality ingredients and innovative, health-conscious recipes that eliminate high fructose corn syrup and are gluten free. Wana Wellness leverages this experience in its broad-spectrum hemp oil CBD gummies and line of tinctures that blend beneficial herbs with premium broad spectrum hemp extract.
U.S. Hemp Brokerage also represents other leading hemp extract lines including Hemp Luxe – a line of full-spectrum tinctures, topicals and gummies launched by leading Ohio-based independent natural products retailer Mustard Seed Market; Green Cherry Organics; Restorative Botanicals; Pure Kind Botanicals; and other breakout brands. Visit https://www.ushempbrokerage.com/brands/.
“It’s great to have the USHB product portfolio of 300-plus SKUs from these amazing brands. We carry half of the brands in USHB’s portfolio right now,” said Christin Evans, Supplements Manager at Lucky’s Market in Boulder, who went on to say she has worked with Cole and USHB partners since 2016, before the brokerage was founded.
Providing Complete, COVID-compliant, Retailer Promotional Support
“We are one of the first branded product groups dedicated to hemp-derived products that provides promotional support program management,” Cole noted. “We’ve been working with retail partners including Lucky’s Market, Alfalfa’s Market and others to create custom hemp displays, end caps and pricing that many retailers desperately need at this time,” he said.
“Also, many retailers are excited about our COVID-compliant demo opportunities, which make a big difference in our sales. Overall, we’ve worked with more than 700 stores nationally through all the brands we’ve represented. If you haven’t heard of us yet, we expect you will very soon,” Cole added.
“While it’s been a challenging year for finished, branded hemp-derived products, we look forward to expanding our services and product lines. We listen to our retail partners, learn what they want, and create customized, co-branded programs especially for their markets. Such custom promotional and merchandising programs are available to natural channel retailers nationwide for Willie’s Remedy™, First Crop™ and others,” he said.
In addition to consumer products, U.S. Hemp Brokerage’s materials division serves the markets for bast, hurd, fiber, wood and plastics derived from industrial hemp. The company also deals in extraction and other hemp processing machinery, and technology, including applications and software for hemp consumers and industry, through the development of its solely-owned shopping cart and e-commerce platform, “not to mention our advanced automation relationship that will soon deliver our brands to market on a continuous basis,” Cole said.
About U.S. Hemp Brokerage LLC
Based in Boulder County, Colorado, U.S. Hemp Brokerage LLC (USHB) is dedicated to providing hemp farmers, processors and manufacturers with high-quality professional sales brokerage services to retail and wholesale customers. Since 2015, the leadership and associate team members of USHB have actively farmed industrial hemp, developed hemp brands and marketed them to local, regional and national wholesale and retail clients, including such natural, conventional and specialty retail leaders as Lucky’s Market, Sprouts Farmers Market, Natural Grocers, Alfalfa’s Market, Wegmans, Giant Eagle, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Target, CVS, Safeway, Albertson’s, Publix and other mass and natural grocery chains. The products and brands we represent have been carefully selected with a close eye on CGMP practices, compliance and traceability. Visit www.ushempbrokerage.com and on Facebook.
U.S. Hemp Brokerage will showcase its portfolio of branded products at NoCo Hemp Expo, March 25-27, 2021, at National Western Complex in Denver, CO. In addition, founder Jeff Cole will be moderating a panel titled Shelf Interest: the State of Hemp and CBD Retailing, on Friday, March 26, at the event. For more information, visit www.nocohempexpo.com.
Contact:
Jeff Cole, U.S. Hemp Brokerage, jcole@ushempbrokerage.com, tel 719.217.7230
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel 303.807.1042
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Join Blair Kellison, CEO of Traditional Medicinals, on Compass Coffee Talk, March 17, 11:30am EST
Liquid Wisdom
Join Blair Kellison, CEO of the pioneering natural products brand Traditional Medicinals, as he shares the secret to his company's long-term success on Compass Coffee Talk.
Wednesday, March 17, 11:30 am – Noon EST
Zoom, Admission is Free
Blair Kellison, CEO, Traditional Medicinals
Featured guest Blair Kellison, CEO of Traditional Medicinals, joins Compass Coffee Talk. Kellison will share the story of the healing power of plants and the founding story behind one of the most successful, globally-known tea brands and its keys to success. Join the conversation and hear how the top tea company maintained a strong supply chain and built a legacy brand in the natural products industry during a pandemic
About Blair Kellison
Blair Kellison is the CEO of Traditional Medicinals, a mission-driven, organic, and fair-trade wellness tea company based in Sonoma County, CA. Blair came to Traditional Medicinals in 2008 in its 34th year to partner with co-founder Drake Sadler and became the company's first non-founder CEO. Blair is a former CPA with Ernst & Young, a brand manager with Nestle, and he received his MBA from Booth at The University of Chicago.
Thanks to our Sponsors!
About Compass Coffee Talk™
Take a 30-minute virtual coffee break with Compass Coffee Talk™. Hosted by natural industry veterans Bill Capsalis and Steve Hoffman, Coffee Talk features lively interactive conversations with industry leaders and experts designed to help guide entrepreneurs and businesses of any size succeed in the market for natural, organic, regenerative, hemp-derived and other eco-friendly products.
Compass Coffee Talk™ is produced by Compass Natural Marketing, a leading PR, branding and business development agency serving the natural and organic products industry. Learn more.
View our Past Compass Coffee Talk Episodes on YouTube
John Mackey, Co-Founder and CEO of Whole Foods Market, to Give Exclusive Interview with Compass Coffee Talk™
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
John Mackey, Co-Founder and CEO of Whole Foods Market, to Give Exclusive Interview with Compass Coffee Talk™
Entrepreneurs, Marketers, and Innovators Are Invited to Join the Conversation with Natural Products Retail Pioneer, John Mackey, as he Discusses his New Book, ‘Conscious Leadership,’ February 25, 2021, 11:30 am EST
What: Compass Coffee Talk™
To Register: John Mackey, Co-Founder and CEO, Whole Foods Market, February 25, 2021,
11:30 am – 12:15 pm EST
Presented By: Compass Natural, Connecting Media and Markets in Natural and Organic Products
Sponsored By: Allegro Coffee and Presence Marketing
Boulder, CO (February 8, 2021) – John Mackey, Co-Founder and CEO of Whole Foods Market, will participate in a rare natural products industry interview with Compass Coffee Talk on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021, 11:30 am – 12:15 pm EST. Mackey will discuss his latest book, “Conscious Leadership: Elevating Humanity Through Business,” a follow-up to the groundbreaking bestseller Conscious Capitalism — sharing what it takes to lead a purpose-driven, sustainable business.
John Mackey, Co-Founder and CEO, Whole Foods Market
Entrepreneurs interested in hearing John Mackey’s perspectives on business will have an opportunity to hear first-hand from the natural products executive during Compass Coffee Talk’s live episode via Zoom. Mackey will reflect on how Whole Foods Market has transformed in the past 40 years and share what’s ahead for the company in the next decade, including what it means to lead a business during these unprecedented times.
In his book Conscious Leadership, Mackey writes, “A conscious leader needs to be actively appreciative. We can be tough leaders at times, we can and should be strong, but at the end of the day, human beings respond best to care and appreciation. It’s important to remember that in business, everything we accomplish is ultimately done with and through other people. That is what conscious leaders do—we inspire, motivate, develop, and lead others.”
Compass Coffee Talk’s co-hosts Steve Hoffman and Bill Capsalis are looking forward to John Mackey’s participation on the show. "It’s not every day you get an opportunity to sit down and chat with legendary Whole Foods Market Co-Founder and CEO, John Mackey. We’re more than thrilled to be hosting an exclusive chance to speak with John in an intimate live setting and learn insights from his books and stories from his four decades in business at the nation’s top natural products grocer,” said Steven Hoffman, Managing Director, Compass Natural Marketing and Co-Host, Compass Coffee Talk.
Anyone who is involved in the natural products industry, entrepreneurs, marketers, brand managers, and communicators are encouraged to join in the conversation. Registration is free, and attendees can sign up here.
About John Mackey
John Mackey, Co-Founder and CEO of Whole Foods Market, has built the natural and organic grocer from a single store in Austin, Texas in 1978, into a Fortune 500 company, which went public in 1992, and was purchased by Amazon in 2017. Today, Whole Foods Market is a top U.S. supermarket with more than 500 stores and 95,000 Team Members across the U.S., Canada, and U.K. While devoting his career to helping shoppers satisfy their lifestyle needs with quality natural and organic foods, Mackey has also focused on building a more conscious way of doing business.
Compass Coffee Talk Sponsors
Compass Coffee Talk gives special thanks to its sponsors Allegro Coffee and Presence Marketing.
Allegro Coffee Powers Compass Coffee Talk™
Colorado-based Allegro Coffee, a specialty coffee company that believes that where and how coffee is grown matters. Since 1977, Allegro Coffee has been committed to sourcing the highest quality coffee from farmers dedicated to environmental stewardship and worker livelihood.
Presence Marketing
Presence Marketing is the nation’s leading independently owned natural foods broker. Over the past 25 years, Presence has grown from a small and humble Midwest-based natural and organic food brokerage to a national powerhouse with more than 500 employees.
About Compass Coffee Talk™
Compass Coffee Talk™ features lively interactive conversations with industry leaders and experts designed to help guide entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes to succeed in the marketplace. Hosted by natural and organic products industry veterans Bill Capsalis and Steve Hoffman, Compass Coffee Talk is produced by Compass Natural Marketing, a leading P.R., branding, and business development agency serving the natural and organic products industry.
Contact
Bill Capsalis, Co-Host, 303.808.3441, bill@compassnaturalmarketing.com
Steven Hoffman, Co-Host, 303.807.1042, steve@compassnaturalmarketing.com.
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