KeHE To Serve As Wholesaler For New Natural Grocer, Fresh Thyme Farmers Market

Romeoville, IL /PRNewswire/ - KeHE Distributors announced today that it has entered into a distribution agreement with Fresh Thyme Farmers Market (FTFM), a new natural grocer with an aggressive market development plan for the Midwest Region. Fresh Thyme, who will open their first store in April in Mt. Prospect, Illinois, anticipates opening 60 stores in the next five years.

The agreement covers all of the planned FTFM locations and involves a wide variety of product categories. "KeHE's broad product assortment and its personalized and flexible approach to meeting our distribution needs make them a perfect partner for Fresh Thyme," said Sage Horner, SVP of Merchandising & Marketing of Fresh Thyme. "KeHE's product selection, including natural, organic, specialty and fresh offerings aligns perfectly with the needs of the Fresh Thyme shopper," continued Horner.

Greg Leonard, KeHE's EVP of Independent Retail Sales states, "What Fresh Thyme is bringing to the Midwest is a retail grocery model with a proven track record. Their seasoned leadership team and well-conceived store design concept make Fresh Thyme perfectly positioned to capture the attention of shoppers."

Over the next five years FTFM plans to open stores throughout the Midwest including Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan,Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and Kansas.

About KeHE
KeHE Distributors, LLC based in Romeoville, IL, provides Natural & Organic, Specialty & Gourmet, International & Multicultural and Fresh products to over 35,000 retail outlets throughout North America. For more information about KeHE, visitwww.kehe.com.

About Fresh Thyme
Fresh Thyme Farmers Markets is a new full-service specialty retailer focusing on fresh, healthy, natural and organic offerings, all at amazing values. The stores' signature offering is an extensive produce department with organic and local fruits and vegetables. In addition, Fresh Thyme's full-service offerings include a natural meat department, healthy deli foods to go, bakery goods, 400 bulk food bins, natural and organic groceries, dairy and frozen, as well as vitamins and body care products. Fresh Thyme will offer a NEW shopping experience to the Midwest, starting with the first store in Mount Prospect, Ill., opening spring of 2014, followed by 59 additional stores by 2019. You can learn more by visiting freshthyme.com, and be sure to keep in touch by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter.