Supermarket Perimeter - May 2023 - 33

THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, retailers and their supplier partners are
doing fun and interesting things with pies
California
Pie partnerships are bringing the pie business to a whole new level -
and year-round - within the supermarket sector.
A year ago, Gelson's in Del Mar, Calif., welcomed world-famous pie
and coffee shop The Pie Hole, the Los Angeles-based bakery. Del Mar's
menu now features both traditional and modern and sweet and savory
pie flavors as well as whole pies, signature Pie Holes (bite-size pies like
donut holes), artisanal baked goods, empanada-style hand pies,
and pie pints.
The Pie Hole started as a local neighborhood family pie shop
co-founded by Sean Brennan and " Pie Mom " Becky Grasley in 2011,
who shared her generations-old family pie recipes from Pennsylvania
with a new community in the Arts District in downtown Los Angeles.
The Pie Hole currently has six locations in Southern California including
Gelson's in Santa Monica. The pie shop expanded its partnership with
Gelson's by adding three new outposts in the San Diego area, including
Pacific Beach and La Costa/Carlsbad.
" We at Gelson's are thrilled about this partnership because one of our
goals is to support thriving local family-owned businesses, " said John
Bagan, Gelson's president and chief executive officer. " The Pie Hole
truly embodies what I love most about Gelson's - we are creators and
purveyors of signature world-inspired foods with SoCal flavor. "
Menu mainstays include Mom's Apple Crumble, Mexican Chocolate
and Cereal Killer Pie, which has a vanilla wafer crust and a filling made
with a cream cheese base packed with Fruity Pebbles and topped with
Froot Loops.
Our first retail grocery unit within
Gelson's was the first step of a new
model for The Pie Hole brand, providing
us a unique juxtaposition to offer our
comfort food and specialty coffee
alongside gourmet market options. "
Sean Brennan, The Pie Hole
" Our first retail grocery unit within Gelson's was the first step of a new
model for The Pie Hole brand, providing us a unique juxtaposition to
offer our comfort food and specialty coffee alongside gourmet market
options, " said Sean Brennan, founder and CEO of The Pie Hole. " Our
partnership has proven to be an exciting match for consumers in Santa
Monica and we believe San Diego is a perfect community that will
embrace and understand why we serve pie and coffee, which is to bring
people together with happiness one slice at a time. "
Gelson's operates 27 premium food markets in Southern California.
Each Gelson's Market features the amenities of full-service fresh
produce, meat, seafood, prepared foods, bakery, and floral departments,
along with grocery departments stocked with the best local, specialty
and organic products alongside national brand favorites. Gelson's
high standards for freshness and quality, unsurpassed service, and
exceptionally clean and convenient stores define the ultimate food
experience.
Kansas City
A similar relationship between pie maker and premium retailer exists
in Kansas City, where Michele Mauden serves as vice president of sales
and marketing for Tippin's Gourmet Pies. Tippin's works closely with
Kansas City gourmet retailers such as Hen House Markets.
" We're fortunate to have an experienced and proven sales leader
joining our team, " said Robin Venn, president of Tippin's at the time
of Mauden's appointment last year. " Michele understands the bakery
business from every angle because she has worked in manufacturing, in
grocery, and as a food broker. She'll be a tremendous asset as we work
to grow our business with premium retailers across the country. "
Looking ahead, August is National Peach Month - that glorious time
of summer when peaches turn perfectly ripe. It's that sweet taste of
summer that makes Tippin's Peach Cooler Pie so popular. The limitedtime-only
Peach Cooler Pie is available during August at Kansas City
area Hen House Market stores and select Price Chopper stores.
Peach Cooler Pie starts with Tippin's flaky crust filled with Tippin's
signature vanilla filling. After filling, the base layers are placed in the
refrigerator to cool and set. Tippin's uses only the finest, freshest
ingredients, like these juicy peaches from Bader Farms in Missouri,
according to the company. Each pie contains 1½ pounds of fresh
peaches, which amounts to about 3 or 4 of these large peaches.
supermarketperimeter.com
MAY 2023 - 33
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Supermarket Perimeter - May 2023

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