AUSTIN, Texas — Whole Foods Market has selected 10 emerging brands for the 2026 Early Growth cohort of its Local and Emerging Accelerator Program, a 12-week initiative designed to help young food and beverage companies prepare for retail growth.
Now in its fifth year, the Local and Emerging Accelerator Program, or LEAP, provides participants with mentorship, a tailored curriculum and connections across the grocery industry. Participating brands may also qualify for a $25,000 equity investment from Whole Foods Market.
The 10 brands were selected from more than 2,000 applicants and are not currently sold at Whole Foods Market. The cohort includes Bonny, Cotto, Folkland Foods, HEYDOH, HOL Health Club, Joon Pistachios, Sababa Foods, Tea with Tae, üm and Yah Yah Yah.
“These ten brands represent the flavors and trends our customers are craving, like authentic flavors rooted in family heritage, ingredients they can trust, and a genuine connection to the people behind their food and beverages,” said Lisa Tosun, senior forager for emerging brands at Whole Foods Market. “From heritage pistachio recipes and single-origin Taiwanese soy sauce to functional mushroom sparkling water and Middle Eastern-inspired coffee lattes, this cohort is the future of food discovery, and we are thrilled to support their journey through LEAP.”
After completing the program, each brand’s products will be evaluated for potential placement on Whole Foods Market shelves.
Since the Early Growth program launched in 2022, 40 brands have participated. Nine of the 10 brands in the 2025 cohort have already secured placement at Whole Foods Market, with the remaining brand scheduled to launch in November.
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