New Leaf Brands Broadens California Distribution

OLD TAPPAN, N.J. -- New Leaf Brands Inc., manufacturer of all-natural, ready-to-drink teas and juice beverages, entered a new marketing and distribution agreement with Coast Brands Group LLC, a leading beverage brand representation and consulting firm, to market New Leaf's beverage portfolio to more than 30 regional distributors.

Those 30 distributors service more than 30,000 retail outlets in the states of California, Nevada and Arizona, according to the company. Target chains include Ralphs, Vons, Albertsons, Safeway, ampm, Circle K, 7-Eleven, Raley's, Gelson's, Bristol Farms and more.

New Leaf Brands' portfolio includes 12 tea flavors sweetened with 100 percent organic cane sugar; four lemonades made with between 6 percent and 10 percent real fruit juice, and sweetened with 100 percent organic cane sugar; and two diet iced teas sweetened with Splenda.

"Our agreement with Coast Brands provides immediate access to additional distributors on the West Coast who service more than 30,000 independent retail outlets. Since launching our healthy beverages in Los Angeles, we have continued to build a strong following," Eric Skae, New Leaf president and CEO, said in a statement. "We believe ... Coast Brands is the perfect partner to rapidly accelerate our distribution in California and broaden our presence in other states in the West including Arizona and Nevada. Our strategy remains to expand our national distribution and gain deeper penetration in our existing markets."

Bob Groux, founder of Coast Brands Group, said in a statement: "New Leaf's line-up of healthy ready-to-drink teas and lemonades are quickly gaining popularity on the West Coast and we are very excited to work with their team to continue that momentum."