Calling all San Diego food and beverage entrepreneurs – here’s a great opportunity to get your products into the market! Gelson’s, Southern California’s grocery pioneer which has helped to launch countless products, is proud to announce its third “Gelson’s Local Discoveries,” welcoming San Diego and other homegrown brands to pitch new and promising products to be sold in Gelson’s stores across Southern California.
70 years of local focus
Celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2021, Gelson’s has become the top Southern California retailer for locally-sourced products and currently carries more than 1,500 locally- sourced items. The grocer currently operates 27 full-service specialty grocery stores in Southern California, including locations in Pacific Beach, Del Mar and Carlsbad.
Which means getting on their shelves is a goldmine!
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Your product could be the next big success!
Launched in 2019, “Gelson’s Local Discoveries” has brought numerous new and exciting products to the attention of local consumers. The biggest success to date has been Santa Barbara-based Casa De Comer Salsa, which has become extremely popular across the region. Over the years, Gelson’s has been proud to help launch other local brands born in San Diego, including El Nopalito Salsa, Majestic Sprouted Hummus, Olli Salumaria, Bitchin’ Sauce, Boochcraft, Ballast Point, and more.
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“Giving local brands the opportunity to showcase their best products – and the chance to be sold in Gelson’s stores across Southern California – is both essential to what Gelson’s has done for many years as well as responsive to rising consumer demand for locally-sourced products,” said John Bagan, Chief Merchandising Officer for Gelson’s. “We look forward to meeting new San Diego entrepreneurs and introducing some great local discoveries to our customers!”
Make your pitch!
The pitch event, being held online early next year, is open to local vendors within 50 miles of a Gelson’s store, spanning L.A., Orange, San Diego, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Bernardino counties. All applicants should be prepared to explain what distinguishes the product, including any attributes like organic, gluten-free, vegan, etc. The winners will earn coveted shelf space in all 28 Gelson’s stores across Southern California, and Gelson’s will actively promote the winners in-store, online, and via local media.
Submissions will be accepted online from November 1-14. Finalist meetings will take place in person during the week of January 17. For complete entry details and to apply, please click here.
Good luck, San Diego!
