Partner success is one of the main objectives of the Food First Strategic Plan . KeHE ® doesn ’ t just connect suppliers and retailers — we work closely with both to make sure consumers coast to coast can always find the natural & organic , specialty , and fresh food their families love .
Supplier Updates and Support
KeHE ELEVATE ® is our internal incubator program that enables KeHE to be first to market with innovative new products by supporting newer suppliers with exciting , differentiated products . The program offers a high-touch , high-visibility platform for growth that also includes financial assistance .
This year , we had the highest number of KeHE ELEVATE participants ever , and their results were more than double what the average new brand experiences .
KeHE ELEVATE
More than
80 suppliers
Average almost $ 100K in COGS ( Cost of Goods Sold )
Average over 1,300 PODS ( Points of Distribution )
16 suppliers graduated from the program in FY24 , including three that graduated early by reaching $ 1 million in sales .
KeHE TREND Finder
More than 2,200 applications received
441 supplier meetings accepted
95 Golden Tickets awarded
KeHE TREND Finder ™ events are one of the primary pipelines for identifying new and emerging brands that keep KeHE on top of category trends . Golden Ticket winners are highlighted on social media and the KeHE blog and given New @ KeHE launch support . Many of these brands are accepted into our supplier programs where they receive even more visibility and support .
KeHE hosted four TREND Finder events this year .
CASE STUDY :
Heirloom Coffee Roasters
Our ongoing partnership with the Rodale Institute gives us front-row access to innovative regenerative brands and products that let our retail partners be first to market .
Heirloom Coffee Roasters is ROCcertified and they quickly became one of our fabulous regenerative product offerings — you can find them in most Sprouts Farmer ' s Market locations as well as other regional and Alternate Channels accounts . Since joining KeHE , they have experienced :
A 71 % increase in points of distribution ( POD )
A 500 % increase in sales
They also conducted a memorable tasting and lunch-and-learn with KeHE employees , because Heirloom Coffee Roasters is not just a supplier , but a valued KeHE partner .
25 KEHE ® GOODNESS REPORT 2023-2024