Wakefern Food Corp., the nation’s largest retailer-owned cooperative, with member companies that own and operate supermarkets under the ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, Fresh Grocer, Dearborn Market, Gourmet Garage and Fairway banners, today announced its Own Brands Supplier Innovation Summit, an open call to private label manufacturers in an effort to source exciting new and trending food and beverage products for potential addition to its award-winning Bowl & Basket and Wholesome Pantry store brands.

Private label manufacturers and vendors interested in participating in Wakefern’s Own Brands Supplier Innovation Summit are encouraged to submit their application through RangeMe March 7 through March 28. Once submitted, Wakefern Own Brand Category Managers will review submissions and invite suppliers first to a virtual pitch meeting. Finalists selected after the virtual pitch meeting will be invited to a one-day summit in June at Wakefern headquarters. During the one-day summit, suppliers will present their innovative products to a panel of Wakefern executives for potential addition to the Bowl & Basket or Wholesome Pantry brands.

“We are excited to announce the official launch of our Own Brands Supplier Innovation Summit,” said Chris Skyers, Vice President of Own Brands at Wakefern. “Since launching Wholesome Pantry and Bowl & Basket, Wakefern’s own brands have experienced consistent growth. Our retail banners have our consumers’ trust, creating a need for new and innovative products and line extensions to meet the brand’s rapid expansion and consumer loyalty. To meet this demand, we are searching for new ideas and products to bring to market. Our search will cap off with an exciting one-day summit in June, when we will connect and network with manufacturers to learn about innovations at the forefront of the industry. Our end goal is to form long-term partnerships with manufacturers to expand our popular store brands.”

Wakefern’s premium Retail Brands (private brand) offer consumers on-trend, high-quality food options at prices they have come to expect across its portfolio of brands. Like the cooperative, its store brands have seen consistent growth throughout its retail footprint since their introduction. Wakefern’s Bowl & Basket brand was awarded a best of Show Vertex Award.

For more than 75 years, Wakefern has strictly adhered to three core values — integrity, innovation and teamwork – becoming the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the U.S. With an unwavering devotion to customer satisfaction, its local, family-owned and operated stores have fostered strong connections with its customers and communities. These personal connections are simply one of the reasons Wakefern’s ShopRite brand was named the ‘2022 Most Trusted Grocery Retailer in the Northeast’ by Newsweek and BrandSpark.

To be considered for the Own Brands Supplier Innovation Summit, manufacturers must fill out a RangeMe application online. At this time, Wakefern will not be accepting submissions for non-food items, supplemental and nutritional items, or baby food. All other food items will be considered. Applicants must provide a complete and accurate description of the product and product line, including a brand profile, to be considered.