NEW YORK — Artisanal Brands, Inc. (otcqb:AHFP) has finalized an agreement with KeHE Distributors, the nation's largest specialty and natural foods distributor, to begin marketing Artisanal's branded refrigerated cases to retailers free of charge in exchange for the retailers' commitment to KeHE to purchase a monthly minimum of deli and dairy goods.
Daniel W. Dowe, President and Chief Executive Officer of Artisanal stated, "We see this as a major step that will accelerate the expansion of our Artisanal CheeseClock(TM) retail marketing system. This customized case program will permit retailers nationwide–from the largest chains in the country to smaller, independently-operated specialty food stores–to take on our complete retail program without having to purchase the $3,800 case from us. So many retailers wanted the colorful case as it adds great merchandising appeal to the Artisanal brand, but they faced either bureaucratic or budgetary constraints that slowed our expansion plans. This new agreement eliminates these obstacles. In exchange for a minimum purchase of $7,500 worth of deli and dairy goods from KeHE, the retailer will receive a customized refrigerated case showcasing Artisanal's line of 16 retail cheeses linked to the Artisanal CheeseClock(TM). The retailer's purchase commitment provides consistent and increased revenue to KeHE and increased revenue to Artisanal through its sale of refrigeration cases to KeHE and cheese and other Artisanal branded products to the retailer through KeHE. The CheeseClock(TM) is Artisanal's proprietary tool that makes every consumer an expert in selecting cheeses so that they can serve and enjoy them at home with the same sophistication they would experience in a fine dining establishment.
"Artisanal will immediately begin to work with KeHE's account managers to launch this new program and we will present this new program directly to KeHE's customers that attend its annual consumer show in January 2012. In the meantime, Artisanal intends to continue to mobilize KeHE's 1000+ sales force with the goal of placing the Artisanal CheeseClock(TM) program and its customized cases into 4,000 retail stores over the next three years."
About KeHE
KeHE Distributors, based in Romeoville, IL, provides Natural & Organic, Specialty & Gourmet, International & Multicultural and Fresh products to natural food stores, grocery stores, and other specialty product retailers throughout North America.
About Artisanal Premium Cheese
The company markets and distributes a line of specialty, artisanal and farmstead cheese products, as well as other related specialty food products under its own brand to food wholesalers and retailers, as well as directly to consumers through its catalogue and Web site, artisanalcheese.com. Artisanal Brands, Inc. is based in New York, New York.
Safe Harbor Statement:
Forward-looking statements made in this press release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on current management expectations that involve risks and uncertainties that may result in such expectations not being realized. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risks described in Company filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Source: Artisanal Brands, Inc.