Bienvenue, Québécois: Roundy's partners with Canadian province to supply Mariano's

Oct 30, 2015, 11:13am CDT

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Alison BauterReporterMilwaukee Business Journal

Milwaukee grocery chain Roundy's Inc. is partnering with Québec to bring branded and private-label food and drink from Canada's largest province to its Chicagoland Mariano's Fresh Market stores in 2016.

Québec Premier Philippe Couillard joined with Roundy's chairman, president and CEO Bob Mariano Friday at the company's freshly opened NewCity Mariano' store in Chicago Friday to announce the partnership. 

Milwaukee-based Roundy's Inc. will partner with Québec for specialty, imported foods.

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The deal will expand Mariano's international product offerings, where the hallmark so far has been its "Italian table" partnership. According to a Roundy's press release, Québec specialties include game meats and fowl such as caribou, quail and bison; more than 300 kinds of artisanal cheeses; maple products; and apple ice wine, although it's unclear which of those will be sold at Mariano's stores.

On Nov. 18, the province will showcase its products at Roundy's corporate headquarters in Milwaukee, where more than 25 Québécois will showcase their companies' products as part of the Private Label Manufacturers’ Association trade show. Roundy's buyers, likewise, will attend a trade show in Montreal next April, and also visit the Gaspé and North Shore in May to learn about Québec’s fisheries and seafood specialties. Another potential outcome is a "Foods of Québec” event at Mariano’s stores, the company said.

In Wisconsin, Roundy's (NYSE: RNDY) operates the Metro Market, Copps and Pick ’n Save grocery stores, many of which will eventually see the products and programs originally piloted at Mariano's stores.