7 companies faced off in Boise for Albertsons shelf space and $50K. Here’s who won
Food startups covet one opportunity more than anything else: to get their product onto supermarket shelves. Albertsons gave local entrepreneurs the chance to do just that during the annual Trailmix pitch competition this week.
Companies making products from freeze-dried fruit to plant-based cheese went head to head to prove why their companies deserved shelf space at Albertsons’ Broadway Avenue store along with a $50,000 grand prize.
The Boise grocery chain said there’s potential for the winner to expand into its other regional stores if sales are strong. Startups featured in the Boise Entrepreneur Week competition usually find their customers at farmer’s markets, small retailers or online.
“The money is great,” Thomas Dilworth, this year’s winner, told the Idaho Statesman. “But the opportunity to work with Albertsons is why we came.”
Dilworth and his wife, Heather Dilworth, own Big Sandy Organics, a Montana company launched in 2015 that sells roasted wheat snacks. Its flagship product, Kracklin’ Kamut, contains three ingredients: khorasan wheat, safflower oil and sea salt. Khorasan wheat is a good source of protein and fiber.
The price? $10.51 for an 8-ounce resealable pack. The product is sold on the company’s website and on Amazon, where its garnered 4.6 stars from 279 reviews.
“We love this crunchy snack,” one reviewer said. “The taste reminds me of corn nuts, but this is healthier and even tastier.”
The Dilworths plan to use the money from the competition to pay off a few bills and support new product development and marketing.
“We didn’t get into this to make a fortune,” Thomas Dilworth said during his pitch to the Trailmix judges on Thursday. “We’re motivated about making a difference. I have kids. Just last week, my wife put a post on Facebook and a lady commented, ‘My kids put away their candy bars at the store today and grabbed these instead.’ That says something.”
Six other companies made it to the final stage of the pitch competition. They were judged on the product itself, preparedness for the market and overall value.
The $5,000 runner-up award went to Three Sisters Artisanal Meats, a Boise business making Spanish-style dry-cured chorizo with no added sugar or preservatives.
The other finalists include:
- Freeze Dried Depot with its freeze-dried food options.
- The Farmer Foodie and its cashew-based cheese alternatives.
- Newell Farmlands with its whole-ingredient marinades.
- Sunshine Spice Café and its saffron green tea.
- The Retrogradery and its food bombs for women’s cycle wellness.
The Trailmix competition was hosted Thursday at Trailhead, the downtown co-working space at 500 S. 8th St.
Last year’s winner was Erth Beverage Co., a company making cold-pressed fruit juice with honey and apple cider vinegar. Owners Sam and Eric Herrera started out selling their products at farmer’s markets including the Capital City Public Market. They also did events like the Hyde Park Street Fair.
“The Trailmix competition created a program to help early-stage food entrepreneurs,” Tiam Rastegar, co-chair of Boise Entrepreneur Week and Trailhead executive director, told the Idaho Statesman. “And Albertsons is right in our backyard.”
Albertsons disclosed plans earlier this month to merge with supermarket chain Kroger Co., whose stores include Fred Meyer.
This story was originally published October 28, 2022 at 12:34 PM.
