Distribution Roundup: Soylent Goes to Publix in SE; Greenbar to Whole Foods; Predator Lands at Erehwon

Soylent Partners With Publix in the Southeast

Nutrition platform Soylent announced that its line of complete nutrition shakes are launching at 1,280 Publix locations across seven states in the southeast. The brand’s ready-to-drink plant-based shakes will be available in the retailer’s adult nutrition aisle in Creamy Chocolate, Mint Chocolate, Vanilla, Banana, Strawberry and Café Mocha flavors.

“Our mission of making complete, sustainable nutrition accessible, appealing, and affordable to all is a cornerstone in our retail expansion,” said Demir Vangelov, CEO of Soylent in a press release. “Our partnership with Publix allows us to continue to make our healthy products even more accessible to a wide group of new consumers in the Southeast.”

This partnership brings Soylent’s retail footprint to over 28,000 stores nationwide and follows the brand’s recent expansion into the drug channel with its launch at over a thousand Rite Aid, Walgreens and CVS drug stores across the country. In addition to its RTDs, Soylent also makes plant-based protein powders and bars and its products are available at additional retailers nationwide including Target, H-E-B and Walmart.

Greenbar’s Non-Alc Cocktails Arrive at Whole Foods

After launching the line in June, Los Angeles-based distillery Greenbar is bringing its full lineup of non-alcoholic RTDs into all 500 Whole Foods Market locations nationwide starting on January 1, according to the company.

The trio of flavors — Earl Grey Bitters+Soda, UnGin+Tonic and UnRum+Cola — have a suggested retail price of $9.99 for a 4-packs of 12 oz. cans for Earl Grey Bitters+Soda and $11.99 for the latter two.

The news comes as Greenbar and Whole Foods have found themselves aligned in backing the trend towards “Buzz-Less Spirits,” as listed in the retailer’s Top Ten Food Trends of 2022, released in TK. That announcement coincided with the release of its first-ever curated Trends Discovery Box, which featured Greenbar’s Lavender Bitters+Soda.

Predator Arrives at Erewhon

After an extensive period of testing and incubation, Predator Endurance Drink has arrived at influential Southern California natural retailer Erehwon, the company told BevNET in an email this week.

Developed by Bianca and Natasha De Jong, Predator is a caffeine free “endurance drink” — made from Austrian sparkling mountain water infused witha blend of handpicked adaptogenic herbs and roots — that originally launched in The Netherlands. The two RTD flavors come in 8.4 oz slim cans in “Gold” (Apple & Peach) and “White” (Blackcurrant & Mangosteen) varieties that will retail at Erewhon for $3.69 each. The company is also participating in the emerging brand programs for broadline distributors KeHe (New@KeHe) and UNFI (UNFI Next), and will be available soon in New York City,  Natasha De Jong said in an email.

“With Predator we are creating a new way of healthy and functional hydration,” said wrote. “No boost or caffeine crash, but a sustainable source of endurance and mental resilience by building it up and improving it when you drink it everyday.”