Hannaford Adds Yerbaé Energy Drink to Supermarket Shelves
Yerbaé Brands Corp., a plant-based Yerbaé energy drink company, announced its expansion into 185 Hannaford supermarkets throughout the northeastern United States. This strategic partnership will make Yerbaé’s popular plant-based beverages readily available to a broader base of consumers seeking a healthier energy drink alternative. Hannaford is an American supermarket chain based in Scarborough, Maine and can be found in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and New York.
“We are delighted to partner with Hannaford and expand our reach into the northeast region,” said Todd Gibson, CEO and co-founder of Yerbaé. “This collaboration reflects the increasing demand for wholesome and sustainable beverage options, and we are excited to provide a convenient and accessible solution for customers who prioritize health and well-being.”
The partnership with Hannaford brings Yerbaé to even more shoppers who are eager to explore a delicious and mindful approach to energy drinks. Yerbaé’s presence in Hannaford stores will also create synergy with the grocer’s own commitment to providing high-quality products and supporting healthier communities. Hannaford Supermarkets will feature a variety of Yerbaé’s top selling 16oz SKU flavors which include Mango Passionfruit, Watermelon Strawberry, and Black Cherry Pineapple. All of the energy beverages are made with plant-based ingredients and contain zero calories, zero sugars and zero carbohydrates.
To learn more, join Yerbaé’s mailing list for important updates and offers: https://investors.yerbae.com
Founded in 2017 by Todd Gibson and Karrie Gibson, Yerbaé Brands Corp. is disrupting the energy beverage marketplace with great tasting, zero sugar, zero calorie beverages, Yerbaé energy drink, while using plant-based ingredients that are designed to meet the needs of the wellness forward consumer. Harnessing the power of nature, Yerbaé’s celebrity ingredient (Yerba Mate) is known to produce 196 different vitamins, minerals and nutrients that also produces caffeine.
By combining Yerba Mate, a South American herb with its premium ingredients and flavors, Yerbaé provides consumers with a no compromise energy solution. All Yerbaé energy beverages are zero calorie, zero sugar, non-GMO and gluten free.
Find @DrinkYerbae on Instagram and Facebook.
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Black Rifle Coffee Appoints Mondzelewski as CMO
Black Rifle Coffee Company has appointed Chris Mondzelewski as chief marketing officer, effective May 1.
In this newly created position, Mondzelewski will be responsible for developing and executing all aspects of BRC’s marketing strategy to drive business growth and market share across all channels including direct-to-consumer, wholesale, the bagged coffee and ready-to-drink product portfolio, and retail coffee shops.
Mondzelewski brings over 20 years of consumer marketing, business and leadership experience, most recently serving as the chief growth officer of Mars’ $12B+ Global Petcare business. Throughout his almost 12-year tenure at Mars, he consistently grew his responsibilities, holding multiple marketing and business development leadership roles in which he led transformative growth and operational improvement strategies across numerous brands.
Prior to joining Mars, he held marketing roles at Kraft Foods, where he launched several successful campaigns, including the most successful innovation & campaign in recent Kraft Cheese history. Before his business career, Mondzelewski was a Marine for five years, deploying in support of Operation Desert Freedom.
“I am excited to have Chris join our team. He brings great value to the company as a marketing leader with a demonstrated track record and a strong personal connection to the military and first-responder community,” said founder and CEO Evan Hafer. “Following our successful entrance into the FDM (Food, Drug and Mass) market, the unmatched growth of our ready-to-drink coffee and the evolution of our outposts, there’s great opportunity for Chris to leverage his expertise to capitalize on our strong brand momentum. I look forward to collaborating with him and continuing our path to profitable, sustainable growth.”
In addition, BRC announced that Chief Retail Officer Heath Nielsen is leaving the company. Co-CEO Tom Davin, who has deep experience innovating retail growth strategies for category-defining brands, will assume Heath’s responsibilities.
Co-CEO Tom Davin added, “As we shared on our last earning’s call, our outposts saw notable growth year-over-year. I look forward to collaborating with Chris as we continue to optimize existing outposts and look to continue to build upon our 26 company-owned and franchise locations.”
Black Rifle Coffee Company is a veteran-founded coffee company serving premium coffee. Founded in 2014 by Green Beret Hafer, Black Rifle develops its roast profiles with the same mission focus learned while serving in the military. BRCC is committed to supporting veterans, active-duty military, first responders and the American way of life.
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Southeastern Grocers Raises Funds for Children’s Hospitals
Southeastern Grocers Inc., parent company and home of Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, is collaborating with nine Southeast children’s hospitals to raise essential funds in support of the pediatric care facilities specialized and emergency services that provide critical care for local children and their families every day.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, approximately 2 million children and adolescents are admitted to hospitals in the United States each year. To support these vital community resources, through April 25, Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie customers are encouraged to donate $1, $5 or round up their total grocery bill while shopping at their neighborhood stores. All donations made during the program will support the local children’s hospital partner and aid young patients and their families as they work towards healing and recovery.
Raymond Rhee, chief people officer for Southeastern Grocers, said, “At Southeastern Grocers, we are dedicated to giving back to our local communities and believe every child deserves access to the best possible care. We are proud to join like-minded individuals to make a significant impact in the lives of local children with this initiative. Our heartfelt hope is that, together, we can make a meaningful difference and support the invaluable work of these remarkable hospitals.”
The contributions collected during SEG’s community donation program will be donated directly to the following nine children’s hospitals to support each facility’s pediatric specialty programs, family centered support, therapeutic activities, research, child advocacy and other vital programs:
Wolfson Children’s Hospital (Jacksonville)
Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children (Orlando)
Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida (Fort Myers)
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital (St. Petersburg)
Nicklaus Children’s Hospital (Miami)
Studer Family Children’s Hospital (Pensacola)
Children’s of Alabama (Birmingham, Alabama)
Children’s of Mississippi (Gulfport, Mississippi)
Ochsner Hospital for Children (New Orleans)
Since the program’s inception in 2021, SEG has raised more than $858,000 for its children’s hospital partners and remains committed to providing ongoing support to deserving hospitals in the communities it serves.
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