(Photo courtesy of Picky Bars)
Bend-based energy bar company, Picky Bars, adds first national specialty grocery distribution.
Thanks in part to the overwhelming support it has received by being a part of the local community, Oregon’s own Picky Bars—the energy bar company founded by professional athletes Lauren Fleshman, Jesse Thomas and Steph Bruce—announced that Trader Joe’s will carry three flavors of its real food bars in all locations, nationwide. With the expansion of its products into the popular specialty grocery stores, consumers can now purchase the homegrown company’s products in more than 900 retailers across the United States.
“We are thrilled to launch our first national grocery distribution with a respected retailer that so closely matches our own ideals, style, and customer base. It’s an awesome opportunity and a massive step for this small company that we honestly wouldn’t have dreamed of 6 years ago, “said Thomas. “We’re very thankful for the support we received from the thousands of customers following our story that eventually made this a reality.”
Started as a hobby in the home kitchen in a breeding ground that rewards athletes as entrepreneurs, Picky Bars have quickly grown since their first partnership with a local Eugene retailer in 2010. In addition to Trader Joe’s, Picky Bars products can be found locally in 99 other Oregon retail locations including Whole Foods, REI, FootZone, and Fleet Feet Sports.
“I’m freaking out, I’m not gonna lie. Trader Joes was where I bought the nuts and fruits for the first test batches of Picky Bars six years ago and before long I was buying upwards of 25 bags of dry roasted slivered almonds, which always prompted the question ‘what are you making?’ in the checkout line,” said Fleshman. “I always imagined our combination of science, quality, and common sense would be a great fit for Trader Joe’s, but I didn’t believe it was realistic. I’m humbled and excited to see how we are received by customers.”
Trader Joe’s will carry the three most popular of Picky Bars seven flavors – Ah, Fudge Nuts!, Cookie Doughpness, and Smooth Caffeinator in all of its locations. Picky Bars are allergy friendly, gluten free, dairy free, soy free, made with organic ingredients, and 100 percent non-GMO. Each bar is balanced with a 4:1 carbs to protein ratio, making Picky Bars the ideal real food alternative for those living a healthy lifestyle.
pickybars.com.
About Picky Bars
Picky Bars creates real food producs to “Fuel Great Experiences.” It was founded in 2010 in a home kitchen by a husband (Jesse Thomas), wife (Lauren Fleshman), and friend (Steph Bruce)—all professional endurance athletes—in an effort to create a real food bar built for performance, fueling, and recovery. Picky Bars are allergy friendly, gluten free, diary free, soy free, 100 percent non-GMO, and have a balanced 4:1 carb to protein ratio. The 100 percent athlete-owned business is based in the outdoor mecca of Bend, Ore. Through wholesome products, great services, lots of fun and some quirky humor, Picky Bars strives to support, encourage, and inspire athletes of all levels to reach for their goals and live life to the fullest. Learn more at pickybars.com or follow Picky Bars on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
