MALIBU, CALIF. — Specialty grocer Erewhon has made a strategic equity investment in Zuma Valley, a maker of products featuring coconut as a primary ingredient. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Zuma Valley’s current assortment includes refrigerated whipped coconut cream, frozen coconut cream and frozen coconut meat. The products are organic and formulated with coconuts sustainably grown and sourced directly from small family farms in the Philippines, according to the company. The company sells to retail, foodservice and manufacturing customers across the country.
“Most coconut products are dried or heated to ultra-high temperatures but Zuma Valley has figured out how to gently pack coconut to preserve the flavor as mother nature intended, without synthetic additives,” said Tony Antoci, chief executive officer of Los Angeles-based Erewhon, which operates nine locations in the area.
Zuma Valley’s whipped coconut cream is used in Erewhon’s smoothies that are co-branded with celebrities and influencers and is one of the bestselling products in its stores, Mr. Antoci said. The investment will support new product development and expanded distribution.
Julie Labin, founder and CEO of Zuma Valley, said the company has several coconut-based products in its pipeline “that we look forward to launching at Erewhon.”Enjoying this content? Learn about more disruptive startups on the Food Entrepreneur page.
