BONSALL, Calif. — Mamma Chia, the organic food and beverage company that originated the chia beverage category, announces the addition of Matthew Buckley as its new executive vice president of sales and marketing. Buckley’s appointment comes on the cusp of a new corporate headquarters and a major product launch at Natural Products Expo West, where Mamma Chia will continue to redefine the chia food and beverage industry.
“Mamma Chia is expanding into new categories and furthering our commitment to offer the highest quality organic chia-based foods and beverages,” said Janie Hoffman, company founder and CEO. “Matt’s exceptional cross-channel and cross-category experience – combined with his strong entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to sustainability – makes him the perfect fit for our Mamma Chia team. His leadership skills and expertise will contribute greatly to furthering the mission of the company.”
With more than 25 years of experience across all classes of trade, Buckley has held executive positions at PepsiCo, Naked Juice and Evolution Fresh and now joins Mamma Chia after most recently leading sales for cause-driven Project 7. His strong, balanced business background gives him a proven track record of identifying, developing and capturing market opportunities to accelerate expansion, increase revenues and improve profit contributions.
As Mamma Chia looks to drive its products further into the mainstream market, Buckley’s experience across multiple channels provides an unmatched advantage.
“In my years of experience within the natural products industry, I’ve never been more excited to work with a brand than I am with Mamma Chia,” says Buckley. “Founder Janie Hoffman has built one of the most skilled and passionate teams in the industry and I’m excited to join the company and contribute to building a very successful and beloved brand.”
As the category leader and innovator for chia-based beverages, Mamma Chia launched the first-to-market organic chia seed drink nationally in fall 2011. Looking ahead, Mamma Chia is expanding its product line to include a new chia vitality snack, which is set to debut during Natural Products Expo West. As a result of the brand’s growth, Mamma Chia will be moving from its office in Bonsall, Calif. to a new corporate headquarters in Carlsbad, Calif. in April.
Mamma Chia products are available in thousands of stores nationwide, including Whole Foods Market, Sprouts, Wegmans, The Fresh Market, Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons.
About Mamma Chia
Mamma Chia is a conscious and sustainable company with a mission to share the magic of chia and lead in its renaissance through offering delicious, high quality, organic chia-based food and beverages that provide natural vitality, energy and strength. Mamma Chia is a category innovator and maker of the first chia-based beverage created to deliver superior taste and a powerful synergy of nutrients featuring omega-3s, fiber, protein and antioxidants. Founder and CEO Janie Hoffman created the Mamma Chia beverage concept in her kitchen, gained an immediate loyal following and became a national brand in September 2011. The company is a Certified B Corporation, a member of 1% for the Planet and a founding member of Slow Money. BevNet has honored Mamma Chia with two top honors, including a 2012 “Person of the Year” award for Mamma Chia founder and CEO, Janie Hoffman, as well as a 2011 award for “Best Non-Carbonated Beverage”. Additionally, the Mamma Chia brand continues to be recognized as a leader in its category – ranking in the top 10 overall. Mamma Chia products are available in natural food markets and mainstream grocery stores nationwide.