Meet Hummingbird Wholesale, the Oregon-based food distributors that keep our bulk section—and your pantry—stocked with deliciousness.
If you love stocking your pantry from the bulk aisles at your neighborhood New Seasons, then you've no doubt filled your bags or containers with staples from our friends at Hummingbird Wholesale.
Not just any food distributor, Hummingbird Wholesale is committed to working closely with farmers, businesses, and nonprofit organizations to promote sustainable agriculture and build resilience in the regional food system. So, whether you're stocking up on oats, nuts, sweets, or other everyday staples, the bulk items you'll find in our stores from Hummingbird Wholesale are always thoughtfully curated and from a known and trusted source—because while our bulk selections may be among the largest around, we always prioritize quality over quantity.
We caught up with Stacy Kraker, Hummingbird’s CEO, to learn more about their sourcing model, pantry staples, and ongoing efforts to reduce waste.
NSM: What makes Hummingbird Wholesale so unique?
HW: We're an organic food manufacturer and distributor structured as an Employee-Owned Purpose Trust, which has allowed us to sustain our social and environmental mission over the long term. Our business is defined by a commitment to Distributor Supported Agriculture (DSA), a model in which we pay regional farmers, often upfront, for a specific amount of product to ensure stable income and reduce market volatility. We also utilize a zero-waste circular container return program, deliver thousands of pounds of food locally each year via heavy-duty cargo tricycles, and operate an onsite incubator kitchen to foster small, local food businesses. Additionally, we reinvest a minimum of 1%, and an average of 3%, of annual profits directly into organic agriculture research and local farming education initiatives.
NSM: What inspired Hummingbird Wholesale, and what continues to drive your work today?
HW: Operating from Eugene, Oregon, a deep commitment to sustainable organic agriculture and community drives this family-founded business. We prioritize farm-direct sourcing of high-quality, identity-preserved, non-GMO organic staples grown locally in the Pacific Northwest. We're also driven by innovation in sustainability, as seen in our award-winning container return & reuse program and our in-house specialty manufacturing, such as our "Awakened" sprouted nuts and seeds.
NSM: Why do you think Hummingbird products resonate with New Seasons customers?
HW: Our products resonate with New Seasons customers because of our shared values around high-quality food, sustainability, regional sourcing, and the health of individuals and the planet. Customers appreciate knowing exactly where their food comes from and supporting a system that directly benefits independent local growers. Our unique offerings, like the "Awakened" line—which are germinated in saltwater and dehydrated to maximize digestibility—provide the high-quality, mindful options that New Seasons shoppers look for.
We’ll see you in the bulk aisle—and make sure to bring your reusable containers!
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- Producers Sustainability