As Hotmaple ends its second year, we want to take a moment highlight those that have made us who we are. In particular, we want to highlight one local grocer who made a world of difference for us as a brand:  Food Fight! Grocery in Portland, OR

When you are a small brand that is just starting out, there is nothing more difficult than getting on grocers' shelves. With any grocer, shelf space is at a premium and margins are tight. So they only tend to let in product they know will sell.  It is a financial risk for a store to give room to an unproven brand... it is an even BIGGER RISK to promote an entirely new & unproven brand to loyal customers.

Food Fight! took that risk. They were the very first grocer to give Hotmaple a chance. Not only did they provide space for us on their shelves, they also recommended us to all their customers physically, as well as on social media -- and boy, did that help.

Here in Portland, Food Fight!'s opinion carries a LOT of weight in the health conscious foodie community that follows a Vegan diet. Food Fight! takes great care in what they stock for their customers, and what products they choose to represent. So imagine our surprise back in 2013 when Chad Miller, the owner of Food Fight! wrote us the following:

"A customer requested that we try out your hot sauce. If you'd like to drop a sample by with pricing, etc, we'd love to check it out.
Thanks.         
Chad"

To this day we still do not know who that mystery customer was, but we owe you a metric-ton of thanks as well.  

Ever since that first sample, Chad and the staff at Food Fight! have been some of our most loyal, and best supporters. I sincerely hope that we have done our part in providing a quality product that fills the needs of their clientele.

For this reason, the Food Fight! family will be receiving the first ever GET SAUCY® anniversary awards. You helped make us who we are. We will never forget that. 

Food Fight! Your award is on the way, create some shelf space for it...  :-)