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APPLY FOR 1:1 BUYER MEETINGS AT SUMMER FANCY FOOD📣Connect 1:1 with leading buyers and experts in the food industry at th...
04/23/2026

APPLY FOR 1:1 BUYER MEETINGS AT SUMMER FANCY FOOD📣

Connect 1:1 with leading buyers and experts in the food industry at the Startup CPG booth during Summer Fancy 2026!

Here’s what you need to know:
- Meetings are in-person: Network face-to-face with key decision-makers at the Summer Fancy Food show.
- Badge Required: To participate, you must have a valid Summer Fancy Food badge. These meetings are IN-PERSON.
- Buyers Choose Brands: The participating buyers will select the brands they’d like to meet and send you the meeting time during the show.
- Deadline: All applications are accepted until the forms are closed.
- Response: Expect to hear back in June, 1-2 weeks before Summer Fancy Food.

Comment “Summer Buyer Meetings” on this post for the link to apply to meet with buyers from leading retailers!

The Shelfies is hands down the #1 way our team gets to know your product. 🏆 Let’s go through some standout shelfie winn...
04/23/2026

The Shelfies is hands down the #1 way our team gets to know your product. 🏆 Let’s go through some standout shelfie winners per year over the last 5 years!

We bring the entire team together under one roof—sampling, discussing, and creating content around every brand in the community. It’s immersive, it’s honest, and it’s how we figure out exactly which brands are the right fit for the right opportunities.

In our first year, we awarded 10 Shelfies, and only food and beverage brands were eligible. Fast forward to 2025: 1,800+ products submitted by over 600 brands, 31 winners selected out of 120 finalists, across categories spanning food and beverage, household, pet, personal care, and wellness.

That kind of validation doesn’t just feel good—it speaks volumes to buyers and investors. And yes, that trophy will look very good in your next pitch deck. You could be one of the 30 brands that WON.

Comment “Shelfies Application” to apply.

Let’s take a look back at some of the past winners! 👀

SOCAL GROCERY RUN IS BACK FOR YEAR 2! It’s happening on September 30th from 6-9pm.This is a distribution-style Grocery R...
04/22/2026

SOCAL GROCERY RUN IS BACK FOR YEAR 2! 

It’s happening on September 30th from 6-9pm.

This is a distribution-style Grocery Run where we’ll bring all the top SoCal distributors, retailers, and buyers together under one roof. We’re planning for 70 sampling brands, 50+ buyers, and over 400 people!

Last year’s SoCal Grocery Run brought in nearly 50 buyers and reps from some of the top retailers in the region, including Erewhon, Whole Foods Market, Bristol Farms, Gelson’s, Sprouts, Mother’s Market, Lazy Acres, Ralph’s, Lassen’s, Jimbo’s, Superior Grocers, Northgate Market, and more.

Sampling spots are limited and granted by application only. Comment “SoCal Grocery Run” to apply now for your shot at sampling at this epic event!

RECAPPING OUR GROCERY RUN WITH NORMAN DISTRIBUTORS 🛒 Last Thursday our sold out Grocery Run rolled through Chicago! Norm...
04/21/2026

RECAPPING OUR GROCERY RUN WITH NORMAN DISTRIBUTORS 🛒

 Last Thursday our sold out Grocery Run rolled through Chicago! Norman Distribution hosted us in their warehouse, and it was SUCH a good time. 

We had 50+ brands sampling across beverage, snacks, and wellness. They got to connect with about 40 buyers from major regional and national chains like Fresh Thyme Market, Meijer, Heinen’s, Whole Foods Market, and so many more.

Thank you to the brands who showed up ready to sample, the buyers who came out searching for the next big thing, Norman Distribution for hosting, and the sponsors, NIQ, Orderful, and Belmark for supporting the event.

Were you at this Grocery Run and made a great connection? Drop it in the comments.. we would love to hear what’s already in motion and about your experience. 👇🏻

Got questions about the Shelfies? We’ve got answers. 🎉In this recorded Q&A, Patricia Menegoto, Director of Marketing & C...
04/21/2026

Got questions about the Shelfies? We’ve got answers. 🎉

In this recorded Q&A, Patricia Menegoto, Director of Marketing & Community, and Caitlin Bricker, Managing Editor, break down everything you need to know about the 2026 Shelfie Awards.

Whether you’re a first-time applicant or a Shelfies veteran, this is your chance to get all your questions answered directly from the team running the show.

Shelfies Applications are open now. Applications close May 5th.

Comment “Shelfie Awards” to get the link to apply.🏆

Just leaving this here in case you needed a sign. 👀🏆Comment “Shelfies Application” to apply today.
04/21/2026

Just leaving this here in case you needed a sign. 👀🏆

Comment “Shelfies Application” to apply today.

Say hello to another round of amazing new brands joining the Startup CPG community! 🎉 If you’re tagged, drop a comment a...
04/20/2026

Say hello to another round of amazing new brands joining the Startup CPG community! 🎉 If you’re tagged, drop a comment and introduce yourselves — we want to hear your story!

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🌶️

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Curious how to get your brand featured? Head over to our Slack community, introduce yourself in the introductions channel, and be sure to include your socials, website, and live product images. Once you’ve checked all the boxes, you’re in line to be featured!

We’ve got new brands joining every day — thanks for your patience as we work through the queue 😎




Applications are STILL OPEN for the Grocery Run with UNFI on Monday, July 13th in Las Vegas!The Grocery Run is happening...
04/20/2026

Applications are STILL OPEN for the Grocery Run with UNFI on Monday, July 13th in Las Vegas!

The Grocery Run is happening the night before the UNFI Holiday & Winter Show and only 70 brands, not currently distributed by UNFI, will be selected.

Over 300 buyers, top-tier retailers, and UNFI account managers will be in the room hunting for first-to-market finds and voting on which brands should be considered for UNFI distribution and the UpNext program. Anchor accounts could pick you up on the spot and you’ll also have a chance to onboard into UNFI’s Endless Aisle program so they can place orders immediately, even before you’re officially carried in UNFI DCs.

This is your big chance to be one of the emerging brands in the room where it happens. This is the first time we’ve ever gotten to do a Grocery Run with UNFI. Don’t miss your chance to be there — spots are filling fast!

Applications will stay open until all 70 selections are made, so apply now.

Comment “UNFI GROCERY RUN” to apply to sample.

While you wait, here’s where we’re headed next.Reply “Grocery Run” to apply.🛒🏃‍♂️
04/17/2026

While you wait, here’s where we’re headed next.

Reply “Grocery Run” to apply.🛒🏃‍♂️

Recapping Our First Hawai‘i Grocery Run 🌴🛒Last Friday, we took the Grocery Run to Hawai’i for the very first time, and i...
04/16/2026

Recapping Our First Hawai‘i Grocery Run 🌴🛒

Last Friday, we took the Grocery Run to Hawai’i for the very first time, and it was absolutely incredible.

The event sold out, the buyers were blown away, and we had 60 brands sampling from all over the country.

The brands met 80+ buyers and distributors from across the islands. Retailers like Whole Foods, Foodland, Down to Earth, CVS Longs Drugs, Safeway, Times Supermarket, Dean & Deluca Hawaii, Hilton Hawaiian Village, and dozens more came out to discover what our community is building.

Bringing our Grocery Run series to Hawai‘i, with so many local and island-inspired brands in the room alongside brands that traveled from the mainland to be there, felt like something truly special.

Thank you to the brands who made the trip, the buyers who showed up ready to discover something new, and the sponsors, NIQ and Mars Accounting, for their support. Hawai‘i, we’ll be back 🌺

04/15/2026

Our first Hawai‘i Grocery Run with Pint Size Distributors Hawai‘i was a major success! 🌴🛒

70+ of the top brands from the mainland and Hawai‘i, along with 80+ buyers and distributors, including Pint Size Hawaii, Whole Foods, Foodland, Safeway NorCal, elevated the entire night.

We’re grateful for our VIPs and every brand that made this event happen. This energy is what Grocery Runs are all about, connecting markets with the most impactful retailers.

Until next time, Hawai‘i! 🌺

Thank you to our sponsors, NielsenIQ and Mars Accounting, for making this night possible.

🚨 Applications Are OPEN: Shelfie Awards 2026 Presented by WISEcode📅🏆The wait is over — apply today!The Shelfies are the ...
04/14/2026

🚨 Applications Are OPEN: Shelfie Awards 2026 Presented by WISEcode📅🏆

The wait is over — apply today!

The Shelfies are the largest FREE awards program exclusively for emerging CPG brands, celebrating standout product innovations, compelling brand stories, and packaging that stops us in our tracks.

Here’s how it works:
↗️ Fill out the application form
↗️ Ship your product samples must be shipped and arrive between April 16-30 (shelf-stable products) or May 4-6 (refrigerated/frozen products)
↗️ Send only 1 product per SKU, up to 3 SKUs max — brands that send more will be disqualified
↗️ Our team will taste and evaluate all submissions during our May tasting sessions
↗️ Finalists announced: Early August 2026
↗️ Winners announced: Late August 2026

Don’t miss your shot. Comment “Shelfies Application” for the application link.

A special thank you to our partners: Rho, the Official Banking Partner of the 2026 Shelfie Awards, and Circana’s Liquid Data Go, the Official Syndicated Data Partner of The Shelfie Awards, as well as our co-sponsors: Cin7, minisocial, FB Solutions Group, Plus Forty, and California Walnuts.

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