PROVIDENCE – Edesia Inc. was selected to participate in the Chobani Incubator, the organizations announced this week.
Edesia was chosen to participate to grow and expand its United States-facing MeWe brand, the company said. The brand, which was recently launched, currently offers the MeWe Baby nut butters on Amazon.com and at Dave’s Marketplace and has plans to have its products available at Stop & Shop as well.
MeWe Project Manager Tom Stehl told PBN Wednesday that the nonprofit will use the incubator to learn about branding, marketing and to learn about scaling the MeWe brand. He noted that the brand expects to launch new products, focusing on nutritious products for a range of consumers.
The incubator includes three weeks of instruction and mentoring over three months. Participating companies also receive a $25,000 non-equity grant.
The incubator said that it focuses on fostering accessible and affordable food brands that are ready to scale their businesses. Companies in the incubator cohort receive mentorship from the Chobani organization as well as guidance from outside the food organization.
Edesia started offering commercial products roughly one year ago under the brand Little Nut, the products now sold under the MeWe Baby brand. The products, which include three flavors, Banana Coconut, Berry Coconut and Apple Cinnamon, are easy-to-swallow nut butters that are designed to introduce babies and children to peanuts, in accordance with the guidance of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Stehl told PBN Wednesday that, in time, the MeWe commercial segment of the nonprofit could spin off from Edesia into its own entity.
Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor. Email him at Bergenheim@PBN.com.
