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Beverage Brand Asarasi Wins Wakefern 2026 Local Wellness Supplier Summit

Healthy beverage brand Asarasi won Wakefern’s 2026 Local Wellness Supplier Summit, which was held November 3 at the New Jersey Convention & Exposition Center. Following a day of presentations and product demonstrations by eight innovative local suppliers, Asarasi wowed a panel of Wakefern leaders with its organic Sparkling Tree Water and Nekter Pop Probiotic Soda, earning the top spot in the summit.

“Having this opportunity in over 300 stores – and being able to tell our story and share fantastic products that are focused on consumer health and wellness – is really important to us, and we are incredibly grateful and honored to have been chosen as the winner by Wakefern,” said Adam Lazar, CEO and Founder of Asarasi.

Asarasi’s Adam Lazar (left) and Aku Orraca-Tetteh

Asarasi’s beverages are naturally produced from sustainably sourced maple tree water, resulting in crisp, refreshing beverages that are USDA-certified organic and free from cane sugar, caffeine, sodium and artificial sweeteners. Their Sparkling Tree Water comes in flavors like Raspberry, Lemon and Lime, while their Nekter Pop Probiotic Sodas feature vibrant options such as Black Cherry, Root Beer and Orange. The company partners with over 130 family farms to sustainably source its ingredients, supporting small …

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233 Suppliers Move to Next Phase of 7-Eleven’s Brands With Heart Selection Process

Two hundred and thirty-three emerging brands have advanced to the next stage of evaluation in 7-Eleven’s annual Brands with Heart program, an increase of 50 compared to last year, which reflects the continued innovation within the convenience retail space. Those selected are invited to send samples to the convenience store chain for review by its Emerging Brands team.

Following the sample review, 7-Eleven will decide on which brands will progress to virtual meetings with its buyers, during which it will choose which brands will be invited to make their final pitches in-person at and event in the 7-Eleven Support Center in Irving, Texas. 

Now in its sixth year, the Brands With Heart program provides emerging brands with the opportunity to enter a new retail channel and a chance to place their products on the shelves of 7-Eleven, Speedway and Stripes stores across the U.S. Submissions for the latest cycle closed on October 13.

According to Louisa McCarty, Manager of 7-Ventures | 7-Eleven Emerging Brands, the program offers a vital path for selected brands into a new retail channel. They gain access to millions of convenience shoppers, alongside mentorship, educational opportunities, and direct access to 7-Eleven category managers. “Last year, we …

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Targeting Niche Markets Can Lead to Nationwide Reach for CPG Brands

In a sea of sameness, niche stands out. And in retail, standing out isn’t just desirable—it’s essential. The most successful emerging brands today aren’t trying to be everything to everyone. They’re speaking clearly to someone, and letting that clarity carry them nationwide through organically building a loyal following among a consumer base that’s aligned with the brand, its products and its mission.

Independent retailers are often the first to lean into these distinct, purpose-driven products. They’re not chasing mass appeal; rather, they’re curating for their customers. And when a product offers a new experience, a meaningful mission, or a personal story, these retailers are quick to embrace it. They’re early adopters with real influence.

This makes independent retail the ideal entry point for niche launches. Whether it’s a plant-based snack, a gender-inclusive skincare line, or a sustainably sourced household item, these products need shoppers who care, and stores that do, too. Independent retailers cater to discerning consumers who want more than convenience. They want a connection. They want alignment with their values.

Launching in this environment offers something larger formats rarely allow: integrity. Your product can grow without compromise. You don’t have to dilute your message, cheapen your ingredients, or …

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How Casey’s ‘Test & Learn’ Approach Builds Innovative Product Assortments

Having completed its Innovation Summit this past August, Casey’s category managers are now deep in the process of onboarding some of its new finds at select stores. This was the second Summit the 2,900+ store Midwest convenience chain held in partnership with RangeMe, during which selected brands met in-person with Casey’s category leaders for the opportunity to get on the shelves.

Stewart

Caseys launched the Summit in an effort to discover unique and innovative CPG brands that would set them apart from competitors. “We are trying to be on the front end of some of the trends and emerging categories, rather than a fast follower,” says Chris Stewart, VP of Merchandising for Casey’s. “I give kudos to Phil and Lee and their teams for identifying those opportunities and bringing them into our assortments and in front of our guests.”

Stewart is referring to Senior Director of Center Store Phil Wilhelm and Senior Director of Packaged Beverages Lee Wilburn, who led the efforts to set the category strategies and uncover those product innovations that aligned with them (watch the full video interview with Stewart, Wilhelm and Wilburn below).

Successes from Casey’s 1st summit

Casey’s first Innovation Summit resulted in several new …

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Your Business’ First Big Win Could Be Its Biggest Risk — Here’s How to Prepare

Getting your product on the shelf in your local supermarket is one of the first major milestones many food brands work towards. It’s a huge accomplishment worth celebrating as a key indicator of success. Recognizing that growing your business also means exposing it to risks it may not have faced before is critical. 

We’ll cover some of the most significant risks of growing your business in this blog, what you can do about them, and how liability insurance supports you when preventative measures aren’t enough.  

Nobody likes to think about what could go wrong, but knowing the risks your business faces arms you with the knowledge and awareness you need to take preventative steps. 

Increased Production Volume

The bigger your brand gets, the more your production volume needs to ramp up to meet demand. 

This means your supply chain could quickly become more complex. You may need to source ingredients and packaging from new suppliers who can provide the quantity you need. 

More suppliers mean more chances for things like allergen cross-contamination or defective packaging.

Whether intentional or not, there’s also a greater tendency to cut corners when it comes to safety and quality control. Producing higher volumes …

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Scaling Up Successfully: 6 Key Insights from Pholicious Co-Founder Joseph Trousdale

The journey of a startup brand is rarely a straight line, but few stories showcase the power of persistence, flexibility, and proactive growth quite like that of Pholicious. When I first interviewed Co-Founder Joseph Trousdale in 2023, his brand was just starting his growth journey, having received a Golden Ticket at Walmart’s Open Call and wins with QVC and Sysco. 

A LOT has changed since then.

The brand, which was launched by Trousdale and his wife Anh in 2021, makes authentic, quick-prep Vietnamese Pho (and now ramen), and since my last interview with Trousdale has added additional RangeMe wins including United Supermarkets, Stop & Shop, Albertsons and Kroger. And to top it off, they just received a Hy-Vee Smile just days before our interview at the retailer’s Opportunity Summit, one of RangeMe’s recent Immediate Opportunities.

To add a little cherry on top of the past two years of wins, Pholicious also landed on the shelves of H-E-B after winning the Quest for Texas Best contest, and a deal with Kevin O’Leary on Shark Tank. It’s been a busy two years indeed.

In my recent update interview with Trousdale (see the full video below), he recounts the rapid scaling of Pholicious, …

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