Seal the Seasons, the first national brand in the USA to specialize exclusively in directly marketing locally grown frozen fruit to supermarket chains, has announced a new partnership with the Safeway-Albertsons Phoenix division. It is now supplying the retailer with California Blueberries, Sliced Peaches, and a Strawberry-Blueberry Blend
This is the second Safeway-Albertsons region to list Seal the Seasons products. The Chapel Hill, North Carolina-based company launched four stock keeping units at its Portland division in August of 2018.
Seal the Seasons partners with farmers on a regional basis to buy non-GMO fruit in season, freeze and package it, and sell it in nearby grocery stores. Founded in 2014, its business was launched in the American Southland, followed by expansion into the Northeast, Pacific Northwest, Midwest, and Pacific Southwest during the past six months.
Local food has become increasingly important to consumers in the United States during the past decade. According to a recent Gallup poll, 73% of Americans actively try to include locally produced food in their diets. Sales of such products are projected to reach $20 billion in 2019, up from $5 billion in 2008.
“Great tasting fruit grown by local farmers and delivered by a values-driven brand is exactly what today’s consumer is looking for,” said Patrick Mateer, founder and chief executive officer of Seal the Seasons. “We’re really excited about this partnership because Safeway and Albertsons customers love buying local in the produce department – and now frozen has local options too!”
Albertsons Companies is one of the largest food and drug retailers in the nation, with both a strong local and national presence. It operates stores across 35 states and the District of Columbia under 20 banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randall’s, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen and Carrs.
