Innovative Food Holdings Announces Launch of Food Focused Accelerator

NAPLES, Fla., Nov. 27, 2012

Companies that are accepted into the Food Hatch Accelerator program will receive intensive guidance and assistance from a team of high level food industry mentors. The Food Hatch Mentor Team and Food Hatch partners will provide operational guidance and support in many food related areas including food marketing, legal, food sales and distribution, as well as any additional support related to growing a startup food business. Food Hatch will also invest a small amount of capital into each accepted company.  In exchange, Food Hatch will receive a small equity position of each company. 

"An important factor for our success at Innovative Food Holdings has been our ability to effectively work with hundreds of food entrepreneurs over the last 10 years on the launch and sales of some of the most unique and highest quality artisanal gourmet products and solutions available.  As a result, we believe that we are well positioned to understand the distinctive challenges that food related startup companies face. This includes a lack of access to seed capital as well as a lack of expertise and relationships during the crucial initial stages of their business," commented Sam Klepfish, Chief Executive Officer of Innovative Food Holdings.  Mr. Klepfish continued, "We are excited about the launch of Food Hatch and we look forward to becoming a valuable partner to aspiring food entrepreneurs nationwide as we work together and grow their gourmet food related businesses."

Justin Wiernasz, President of Innovative Food Holdings, noted, "As we began the process of building and launching Food Hatch, it became apparent from speaking with our current suppliers, entrepreneurs and new potential manufacturers that there is a real need for this type of solution in the gourmet food industry.  The feedback and interest we've received from senior food executives since we commenced Food Hatch has been extremely positive and the level of excitement regarding the concept has been truly phenomenal.  We will continue to add additional mentors to the Food Hatch Mentor Team as we continue to grow.  In addition, we have already begun the process of taking applications for our Food Hatch Accelerator program, and we are eager to work with these innovators going forward."

About Food Hatch(TM)

Food Hatch(TM) is the first food focused investment accelerator.  The Food Hatch(TM) program is available to food product companies, foodtech and any food related company that can benefit from Food Hatch's food related relationships and expertise. Food Hatch(TM) provides its portfolio companies with both investment capital and a board spectrum of food related expertise from some of the most experienced and knowledgeable senior executives and successful entrepreneurs in the food industry.  In addition, Food Hatch(TM) is able to leverage its relationship with its parent company and other subsidiaries to further the growth of the portfolio companies it works with. For more information, please visit www.foodhatch.co.

About Innovative Food Holdings