Wakefern Own Brands Win Vertex Awards

Keasbey, NJ (June 30, 2023) – Wakefern Food Corp., the nation’s largest retailer-owned cooperative with member companies that own and operate supermarkets under the ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Gourmet Garage and Fairway Market banners, today announced its innovative Own Brand products were recognized with Gold, Silver and Bronze Vertex Awards.

The Vertex Awards is a global competition devoted exclusively to the art of private brand package design. The awards are organized by the Velocity Institute, a global professional industry association focused on retailers and brands. The panel of judges is comprised of industry experts from around the world who consider creativity, marketability and innovation as awards criteria. Wakefern Food Corp. won the following awards for product design in Own Brands:

• Gold: Bowl & Basket Specialty Spice Blends
• Silver: Paperbird Seasonal Hand Soaps
• Bronze: Wholesome Pantry Organic Spices

“We are honored that our Own Brand products received Vertex Awards,” said Pam Ofri, Director of Own Brands at Wakefern. “We believe it’s important to deliver high-quality private label products that are also accessible and stylish, and we are excited the Vertex judges recognized the distinct design of each of these items in our Bowl & Basket, Paperbird and Wholesome Pantry Organic lines.’’

Wakefern Own Brands have garnered Vertex Awards in the past for the Best in Show, Best in New Brand and Health Care categories. In addition, Wholesome Pantry Organic was awarded Salute to Excellence Awards by the Private Label Manufacturers Association, and Wholesome Pantry Organic Spring Mix Salad and Wholesome Pantry Creamy Almond Butter have been recognized with the Private Label Manufacturers Association’s Healthy Eating & Natural Foods and Spreads categories. The Wholesome Pantry Organic brand was also awarded Best New Organic Food Product or Line by Store Brands in 2017.

About Wakefern Food Corp.
From a small, local cooperative that began with eight grocery store owners, Wakefern Food Corp. has grown into the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States. Founded in 1946, the cooperative includes nearly 50 member families who today independently own and operate hundreds of supermarkets under the ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Dearborn Market, Gourmet Garage, and Fairway Market banners in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. For more information, please visit www.wakefern.com.