Gelson's Looking For Small Business Owners

ORANGE COUNTY, CA —Gelson's stores invite all local product creators to pitch their promising products at the Gelson's distribution center in Santa Fe Springs on Sept. 10.

"In the wake of strong response to its inaugural pitch event, Gelson's has broadened our scope and categories," a spokesperson said.

Limited pitch spots are available – 70 for Center Store as well as 15 for Fresh, including newly added produce and floral categories and purveyors of meat.

The event is open to local vendors within 50 miles of a Gelson's store, spanning Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Bernardino counties.

"Contenders will each be given 25 minutes to pitch products to senior Gelson's buyers between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.," they said.

In a "Shark Tank-Esque" program, applicants should be prepared to explain what distinguishes the product, including any attributes like organic, gluten-free, vegan, etc.

Gelson's will get the winning products on the shelves and actively promote the winners in-store, online and via local media, they said.

To apply, visit glsns.us/LocalDiscoveries or click the Local Discoveries link on the bottom of the home page.

The first "Gelson's Local Discoveries" took place in June.

At that event, Gelson's chose three salsas from Santa Barbara-based family business Casa de Comer, among other products.

Gelson's senior buyers praised the salsa for its unique, smoky flavor. The company's all-natural salsa marries the authentic flavors of Mexico with the open-flame cooking style of California's Central Coast.

"We came in feeling nervous and excited to introduce our salsas and walked away feeling like we were just 'Discovered'! A slingshot opportunity for a small family business that started out of the kitchen," company principal Silvia Franco Comer said of their participation in the June event.
Casa de Comer debuted in Gelson's (by the deli section) on Aug. 12.

Over the years Gelson's has been proud to help launch many other local brands, including:

• BJ's Brewhouse Beer
• Califia Farms
• Chica's Chips
• Coolhaus Ice Cream
• Groundwork Coffee
• Health-Ade Kombucha.

The store feels that their commitment to new and unique products is the reason that Consumer Reports ranked Gelson's #4 in the entire U.S. and #1 in the West, out of 96 grocery brands across the country.

"The response was so encouraging that we decided to make this a twice-annual event, and will likely hold them in the spring and fall next year," explained John Bagan, Chief Merchandising Officer for Gelson's. "We look forward to meeting new entrepreneurs and are excited to be introduced to some terrific local discoveries to surprise and delight our customers."

Will you dare to pitch your product at the event? Let us know all about it on Patch!

Register for your opportunity to pitch your product to Gelson's at: glsns.us/LocalDiscoveries