Six innovative new suppliers to hit Co-op shelves through its accelerated support scheme, the Apiary

Six exciting new suppliers are set to hit Co-op shelves following the convenience retailer’s search for small, values-led and innovative food and drink businesses to join its accelerated support scheme, known as the Apiary.

The search for new purpose-led small businesses to join its Apiary programme began at the start of the year, and this month six successful suppliers will see their products sold on the shelves of up to almost 300 Co-op stores.

Co-op looked for suppliers with a point of difference, shared co-operative values and, which would promote further diversity and inclusion within the convenience retailer’s range.

The successful applicants received tailored support, mentoring and advice on all aspects of the product journey – including: industry and consumer insight; technical hints and tips – with Co-op’s buyers standing side-by-side with the suppliers to support the development of the product towards a listing in store. Post-launch support will continue, including access to sales trends and data, plus training and mentoring with industry leaders and sector specialists.

The successful suppliers set to hit Co-op shelves this month, are:

• Black Milk – which will supply its award winning Hazelnut Cream; Pistachio Cream and, White Chocolate sweet spreads. With a popular bakery and café in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, its founders also support projects that tackle homelessness in the city
• Blue Turaco – whose speciality Ugandan Robusta coffee supports and empowers small coffee-farming communities in Uganda by sourcing directly. Two products are to be listed, Robusta Ground Coffee and, Robusta Wholebean Coffee, with each purchase also helping to provide lunches to fight hunger in Ugandan village schools
• HumaniTea – a social enterprise creating chilled ready-to-drink tea lattes, with its Cold Brew Matcha and Cold Brew Earl Grey stocked in Co-op stores. Brewed using oat milk it is 100 percent vegan with a percentage of the company’s profits supporting wellbeing and sustainability initiatives
• Lo-cal – The light and cloudy beer brewed with fewer calories than other premium pales. An award-winning vegan pale with bursts of apricot, melon and peach. Lo-cal supports local sports clubs to help get people moving in their communities.
• Revibed Drinks – superfood infused water with zero sugar and less than 10 Kcal per can it provides a refreshing alternative on-the-go, flavours to be stocked in Co-op are Passion Fruit & Ginger; Raspberry & Acai and, Peach & Hibiscus. With 1 percent of profits donated to CALM, which works to stand against suicide and save more lives.
• Wilderbee Hot Honey – inspired by a sweet and spicy condiment in a New York Pizza restaurant. A version of the condiment was created when the founder returned to the UK using organic wildflower honey infused with fresh chillies. WilderKitchen supports sustainable bee keeping practices and communities, and will see two of its flavours, its Original and, Korean Gochujang, in store.

Rebecca Oliver-Mooney, Co-op Head of Commercial for Drinks, Frozen, Community Buying & the Apiary, said: “Seeing successful new businesses hit Co-op shelves is always an exciting and rewarding time for our Apiary programme. We have been on a fantastic journey with these suppliers throughout the year, which builds on the successful launch of our first wave of suppliers through the Apiary programme which has seen suppliers develop their product and brand and, gain permanent listings, including Urban Rajah’s buroti wraps which are soon set to become part of Co-op’s Premium Meal Deal offer.

Going live in store is the beginning of the next chapter for the suppliers we work with, and the dedicated support which has enabled the businesses to create and develop their products towards a listing in store will continue post-launch. We are delighted to reach this key milestone where the products are on now shelf – we believe the suppliers all offer a real point of difference to interest, enthuse and excite Co-op Members and customers in our communities.”

The search for the next wave of new suppliers to join the Apiary programme is expected to commence in early 2024.