Wakefern Food Corp. is hosting a supplier summit this fall to find local suppliers of new foods and products for its supermarket banners.
Interested suppliers and vendors should be based in markets where Wakefern banners operate. The application process for Wakefern’s Total Store Local Supplier Summit kicked off on Sept. 9.
The largest retailer-owned cooperative in the country, founded in 1946, is comprised of member companies that own and operate supermarkets under the ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Dearborn Market, Gourmet Garage, Fairway Market, and Di Bruno Bros. banners.
Two Weeks to Submit Applications
Wakefern has stated that it is actively seeking new, local suppliers who can provide unique, on-trend, and exciting foods and products for potential addition to ShopRite and The Fresh Grocer stores and other supermarket banners that are part of the cooperative.
Suppliers are encouraged to submit their applications through the RangeMe application link, which opened on Monday, Sept. 9, and runs for two weeks. All grocery categories welcome product submissions.
To be considered for the latest supplier summit, applicants must complete the
RangeMe application online
The cooperative will review all applications before selecting ten finalists to pitch their products in person to the Wakefern team.
“We are excited to reach out to a variety of suppliers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses as we look to discover the next great products for our stores. Wakefern is focused on finding local makers and producers in states where our members’ stores are located. Wakefern members live and work in the communities where their stores operate, and we always think it’s important to seek local suppliers who are part of the community,” said Darren Caudill, Chief Sales Officer.
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The supermarket cooperative encourages applicants for the supplier summit to share the origin story of their brand or product as part of the application process.
Local suppliers operating in states where Wakefern supermarket banners operate, including New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire, should also be headquartered there.
In November, a team at Wakefern will consider applications, select finalists, and name the winners. They will grant the winners a one-year minimum placement of their products at ShopRite stores and potentially other Wakefern supermarket banners.