Frozen Dessert Invention by Trent Alum Now Available in a Loblaws Near You
Brooke Hammer ’13 developed “Nicecream” while a student at Trent
Alumna Brooke Hammer ‘13, owner of the Peterborough-based health food startup Chimp Treats, will have her frozen fruit product Nicecream hit a series of Loblaws locations across Ontario this week. Ms. Hammer, 23, launched Nicecream in 2017 and has since expanded coast-to-coast in niche retailers such as Whole Foods Market and Healthy Planet. After one short year on the market, Chimp Treats is already gaining mainstream success.
Nicecream will hit shelves in select Loblaws stores including the GTA, Ottawa, London, and Barrie. The next wave of locations will be in Québec in Loblaws’ Provigo Le Marché stores.
While attending Trent University, Ms. Hammer developed an innovative manufacturing process that allowed her to create the fruit-only frozen dessert on a large-scale, commercial basis. Since entering the market, she has continued to reach new stores and locations along with growing her team.
“It was the insight and mentorship by professors and other professionals at Trent that really made a difference and contributed immensely to my confidence as an entrepreneur,” said Ms. Hammer founding CEO at Chimp Treats.
Chimp Treats aims to continue adding new locations until they reach all Loblaws stores across Canada in May 2019.
“It is an incredible time for innovative, start-up companies in the consumer packaged goods space,” says Ms. Hammer. “Companies like Loblaws are open to bringing in more innovative products by small brands to meet consumer demand as steps are taken away from the big food and beverage giants, towards smaller brands whose values align more clearly with consumers.”