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Soupergirl CEO Sara Polon will appear at the Kroger store at 9000 Staples Mill Road in Henrico Feb. 24 at 10 to provide samples of her product, which will launch in the Richmond region the same day.
Soupergirl was one of five companies nationwide to win the grocer’s Go Fresh & Local Supplier Accelerator program. The company makes readymade heat-and-eat soups, chilis and gazpacho from farm fresh local produce.
In addition to samples, customers attending the launch event may receive other giveaways, including insulated tote bags and gift cards.
The Kroger program launched last year, with a goal of highlighting small growers and retailers. In collaboration with Efficient Collaborative Retail Marketing and RangeMe, Kroger reviewed more than 1,000 applications, selecting 15 finalists to participate in a pitch competition to earn a spot in Kroger’s coveted new initiative.
The finalists recently traveled to Cincinnati for the pitch competition, which was judged by executives from various Kroger business lines. Soupergirl was one of five standout small businesses to be named as 2021 Go Fresh & Local Accelerator Winner.
“We invented the Go Fresh & Local Supplier Accelerator to discover the best, most innovative, and freshest local and regional products – and Sara and Soupergirl represent just that,” said Kristen Thompson, Kroger’s Go Fresh & Local lead. ”We’re thrilled to roll out Soupergirl to our Richmond and Mid-Atlantic customers, and we can’t wait for them to try these soups, chilis and gazpacho made from farm fresh local produce.”
With an initial rollout to its Richmond stores, Kroger Mid-Atlantic plans to have the soups available to customers throughout Virginia by the spring of 2022.
