#90 Buyer Series: Earth Fare with Mitch Orland

This is the first episode in our new buyers series and today we’re joined by Mitch Orland, VP of Merchandising and Procurement at Earth Fare. Earth Fare is a health and wellness supermarket with 20 locations in 8 states in the Southeast US. Mitch has deep food industry experience including being a restaurant owner and former Executive Chef at Earth Fare, and he now manages a 15 person merchandising team at Earth Fare.Listen in as Mitch shares about:How Earth Fare’s product submission process including category reviewsBest practices for engaging with buyers from email content to timing follow upHow brokers add value for buyersDifferent models of distributing to Earth Fare from self-service to local distributors to UNFIBest practices for promoting with Earth Fare, educating employees, and in-store demosHow and when a brand’s on-shelf performance is evaluated by the Earth Fare teamIndustry trendsAnd more!And stay tuned at the end for a story from Startup CPG founder Daniel Scharff about recently getting into Earth Fare with Machu Picchu - and thanks for Mitch for that great idea - he wanted you all to also hear from a brand that recently worked with Earth Fare, which I found really helpful. Now let’s hear from Mitch!Episode Links:Earth Fare websiteMitch’s LinkedInBrands mentioned: Hickory Nut Gap, Sunburst Trout Farms, JAMBAR, Upcycled Food Association, Force of NatureSocial Nature Links:Social Nature websiteSocial Nature team email: [email protected] from & get to know the Social Nature team: Episode #87 How Natural Shoppers are Responding to Inflation with Social Nature's Jessica MalachEpisode #50 The Data Behind the Modern Wellness Consumer with Social Nature's Jessica MalachOverview of Digital Sampling with Social Nature founder Annalea KrebsEpisodes that mention Social Nature campaigns: Episode #66 Sharing is Caring: How Alison Cayne & Haven's Kitchen share cooking confidence and industry knowledge (Social Nature discussed at 41:15)Episode #86 From Target Buyer to Nationally Launching Upcycled Pet Brand Shameless Pets with James Bello (Social Nature discussed at 37:33)Promomash/Crisp Links:Try Promomash + Crisp free for 30 days hereWebinar recording: Promomash + Crisp Present: The Next Big Thing in WFM Demo AnalyticsWebinar recording: Distributor Data 101: 5 Things Brands Should Be Tracking and WhyIFT Links:Exhibit at IFT FIRSTAttend IFT FIRSTIFT websiteShow Links:Join the Startup CPG Slack community (12K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Jessi's Linkedin or websiteQuestions or comments about the episode? Email Jessi at [email protected] music by Super Fantastics