Kefir manufacturer Lifeway Foods has announced that four flavours of low fat kefir will be distributed through Ralph’s Grocery stores and ACME Grocery.
Ralph’s, owned by Kroger, operates 280 stores in Southern California, while ACME, owned by Albertson’s, operates about 130 stores in Philadelphia and the tri-state area.
Shipments of kefir will begin this week. The launch will be supported by marketing activity including in-store demonstrations and advertising, the company said.
It is expected that both chains will also stock ProBugs, Lifeway’s organic kefir aimed at children, at select locations by the end of January.
“We are incredibly excited that Lifeway Kefir continues to gain acceptance in the mass market grocery chains,” exclaimed Julie Smolyansky, Lifeway Foods’ president and CEO.
“Our acceptance at ACME in the Philadelphia and tri-state areas shows that our investment into that market has paid off. Our acceptance into Ralph’s is equally exciting as in the past the west coast grocery chains have been highly competitive and costly for Lifeway. Having two major grocery chains carry Lifeway Kefir within the same week is another sign that probiotics and kefir are a legitimate category, and are at the top of mind for consumers and grocers alike,” Smolyansky added.
