Lifeway ProBugs Heads to Harris Teeter
Harris Teeter stores across the country will soon have some “bugs” crawling onto shelves: Leading U.S. kefir brand Lifeway Foods is launching its kid-friendly ProBugs Organic Kefir line into over 250 of the retailer’s stores, including its Strawnana and Goo-Berry flavors.
Lifeway first launched ProBugs back in 2006, but the children’s line has been expanded and adjusted in the nearly two-decades since its debut, including a move into its current pouch format in 2018.
“We are excited to expand the audience for our Lifeway ProBugs Organic Kefir beyond the natural grocery sets and delight shoppers at Harris Teeter stores,” said Lifeway president and CEO Julie Smolyansky in a press release. “As pioneers of the probiotic pouched drinkables space, we’re happy to offer more families a convenient and delicious option that has been a Lifeway fan favorite for more than a decade.”
“We look forward to supporting this business with content creators, advertising and events that will introduce families and Harris Teeter shoppers to Lifeway ProBugs,” she added.
Lifeway is in the midst of a yearslong positive growth streak, and has recently been thrust into the spotlight by rejecting multiple bids for acquisition by its minority shareholder Danone North America PBC, insisting that the dairy conglomerate has repeatedly undervalued the business in its offers.
The brand has also been active in innovation this year, launching last month a new line of single-serve Flavor Fusions kefir products. It also announced, for adults, a new functional probiotic smoothie line made with collagen, which will roll out alongside its “New Year, New You” marketing campaign for 2025.
Parch Heads to H-E-B
Tequila-loving Texans will be able to find a new non-alc alternative on H-E-B shelves for Dry January, as agave-based, canned NA cocktail brand Parch launches into 40 stores across the Lone Star State.
Parch co-founder and CEO Rudy Aldana announced the H-E-B expansion on LinkedIn Wednesday, crediting KeHE and L.A. Libations with helping to expand the brand’s presence into the Texas-based grocery chain’s coolers.
“It’s an incredible milestone as we expand our presence in the Lone Star State, starting just over a year ago with Central Market and other fantastic banners across Texas,” Aldana said in his post.
Elsewhere, Parch is also expanding in New York City and the Tri-State area this week via FreshDirect, Aldana said in a separate post.
Leisure Project Enters Chase Lounges
Weary travelers can now kickback with a can of Leisure Project as the hydration beverage startup is now available in Chase Sapphire Airport Lounges nationwide, co-founder and CMO Steve Michaelsen announced Wednesday.
The canned drink is now available for Chase Sapphire Reserve members at airports in Boston (BOS), New York (JFK and LGA), Phoenix (PHX), Washington, DC (IAD) and San Diego (SAN), and will soon add Las Vegas (LAS) and Philadelphia (PHL) with “possibly more” to come down the line.
More Distribution News from Across the Industry
- Non-alc beer alternative HOP WTR is now chainwide in Meijer stores, according to CEO Jordan Bass.
- Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) is now carrying Origami Sake in 19 markets across the country, the companies announced in a press release today.
- Probiotic CSD brand Live Soda is now available nationwide in all Sprouts locations.