# #144 - Buyer Spotlight: Kenny Hausmann, Fresh Thyme

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2024-05-28
- Length: 49m
- Episode: 42
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2024-05-28-144-buyer-spotlight-kenny-hausmann-fresh-thyme
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/c7eb574b

## Summary

Kenny Hausmann, Category Manager for Natural Living at Fresh Thyme Market, discusses his 18-year career in grocery retail, including stints at Tops Market, Foodland Hawaii, and Fresh Thyme. He details the complexities of managing bulk foods and the 'Natural Living' banner (vitamins, supplements, body care), emphasizing the logistical challenges of sourcing in Hawaii and the importance of DSD for island distribution. Hausmann explains Fresh Thyme's approach to brand partnerships, focusing on authentic alignment with missions like regenerative agriculture and leveraging social media influencers to drive off-premise engagement.

## Outline

1. Introduction and Career Overview
2. Integrating Natural & Organic at Conventional Retailers
3. Managing Bulk Foods and Supply Chain Logistics
4. The Hawaii Experience: Foodland and Logistics
5. Leading the Natural Living Banner at Fresh Thyme
6. Trends in Wellness, Clean Beauty, and Sustainability
7. Brand Partnerships, Marketing, and Social Media
8. Submission Process and Future Opportunities

## Topics

- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Fresh Thyme Market (company)
- Tops Market (company)
- Foodland (company)
- UNFI (company)
- Pint Size (company)
- Rangeme (tool)
- Expo West (other)
- CPG Shabbat (other)
- Wegmans (company)
- Whole Foods (company)
- Growth (company)
- Cleanleaf (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Advice Line with Sarah Kauss of S'well](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-06-20-advice-line-with-sarah-kauss-of-swell) (How I Built This)
- [Thrive Market: Nick Green](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-08-12-thrive-market-nick-green) (How I Built This)
- [What It Really Takes To Build a Food Business: Part 2](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-10-25-what-it-really-takes-to-build-a-food-business-part-2) (How I Built This)
- [Advice Line with Gary Hirshberg of Stonyfield](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-11-14-advice-line-with-gary-hirshberg-of-stonyfield) (How I Built This)
- [67 - Andy Kurtts from Buttermilk Creative](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2021-07-21-67-andy-kurtts-from-buttermilk-creative) (People of Packaging)

## Citing this page

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