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Green Bay, WI – September 8, 2025 – <a href="/home" uuid="780fd67e-5754-496f-9896-af3668bdb678" target="_self" linktype="story">Vital Essentials</a>®, the flagship brand of <a href="https://www.carnivoremeat.com/" target="_self" linktype="url">Carnivore Meat Company</a> and trusted leader in raw pet nutrition, announced its launch into<a href="https://www.petsuppliesplus.com/brands/vital-essentials?utm_source=ve_website&amp;utm_medium=press_room&amp;utm_campaign=vital+essentials+launch" target="_self" linktype="url"> Pet Supplies Plus</a> locations across the U.S. Beginning this month, pet parents can now find a comprehensive selection of Vital Essentials’ freeze-dried raw dog and cat food and treats at more than 725 neighborhood stores nationwide, as well as on the Pet Supplies Plus website.The partnership represents a strategic expansion for Vital Essentials, which has long been recognized for its close relationships with independent and specialty pet retailers. Pet Supplies Plus, a leading pet retailer known for being a staple within the communities it serves and having friendly, knowledgeable staff, provides an ideal opportunity for Vital Essentials to reach more families while staying true to its neighborhood pet roots.“Vital Essentials was built alongside indie retailers and neighborhood pet, so expanding into Pet Supplies Plus feels like an evolution that honors our foundation,” said Heather Govea, CEO of Carnivore Meat Company. “This partnership means more families will have easier access to raw nutrition while we continue building on the trust and loyalty that started in specialty retail.”A range of raw protein formats will be available in freeze-dried raw including Crunchy Nibs, Soft Nibs, and Patties, giving pet parents variety and flexibility as they look to increase their pets’ protein intake.“Providing pet parents with everything they need for their furry, scaly or feathery friends will always be our number one priority, and this partnership with Vital Essentials further enables us to do that,” shared Chris Rowland, CEO of Pet Supplies Plus. “Now we are offering another premium option for our neighbors that will support the health and well-being of pets in our communities.”With this expansion, Vital Essentials continues its mission to democratize raw feeding and help pet parents see transformative health benefits by incorporating as little as 20% raw protein into their pets&#39; diets. For more information on Vital Essentials products and to find a retailer near you, visit <a href="/home" uuid="780fd67e-5754-496f-9896-af3668bdb678" target="_self" linktype="story">VitalEssentials.com</a>.--About Carnivore Meat Company Carnivore Meat Company is an award-winning leader in premium raw frozen and freeze-dried pet food and treats. Based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the company is widely recognized as a pioneer in raw pet nutrition and owns and operates the largest freeze-dried manufacturing facility for pet food in North America. The company&#39;s freeze-dried division also supplies private label, co-packing, and ingredient solutions to customers worldwide. Its rapidly growing brand, Vital Essentials®, is distributed through more than 7,000 U.S. retailers, 14 international markets, and online. Carnivore Meat Company has earned numerous accolades for growth and manufacturing excellence, including the Greater Green Bay Chamber Growth Award, Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Award, Governor&#39;s Export Achievement Award, Greater Green Bay Chamber Manufacturing Award of Distinction, and six consecutive placements on the Inc. 5000 list of America&#39;s Fastest-Growing Private Companies. Learn more at <a href="http://carnivoremeat.com/" linktype="url">CarnivoreMeat.com</a>. About Pet Supplies Plus Your neighborhood Pet Supplies Plus has everything you need for your furry, scaly and feathery friends. Its shelves are stocked with pet essentials, including a wide selection of over 11,000 products from 400 brands. Easily find all their favorites at prices you love, whether you shop in store or online using free curbside pickup, same-day delivery or Autoship. To help keep your pets happy and healthy, pet prescriptions can be filled online and delivered directly to your door. As the nation’s largest pet retail franchise with over 725 locations and counting, Pet Supplies Plus makes shopping local simple. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.petsuppliesplus.com/" linktype="url">www.petsuppliesplus.com</a>.

Vital Essentials® Expands into Pet Supplies Plus, Bringing Raw Nutrition to More Than 725 Neighborhood Pet Stores Nationwide

This partnership will help to expand the Vital Essentials market presence in the Western portion of the United States Green Bay, WI, August 16, 2023 — Vital Essentials, the flagship brand of the Carnivore Meat Company, today announced a new strategic partnership with Wilson &amp; Associates, a leading Independent Manufacturing Representative Firm with over 30 years of industry expertise, to help expand sales capabilities for the raw pet food pioneer in the western portion of the United States.This partnership will further accelerate market growth for Vital Essentials by leaning into the well established relationships that Wilson &amp; Associates has carefully crafted over the years. Additionally, it will increase the company’s current sales staff particularly in the western US and Canadian markets.“As we work to build a future of vitality for pets &amp; their humans, Wilson &amp; Associates will be a key differentiator to bring this vision to life,” said Nick Ebert, Chief Commercial Officer at Vital Essentials. “We know through our success in the eastern half of the US that leveraging a professional selling force like Wilson &amp; Associates can have a hugely positive impact on our brand development.”The partnership will also provide Wilson &amp; Associates with a premium freeze-dried and frozen raw offering that leads in quality, production capacity and variety to best serve the needs of pets. Vital Essentials’s butcher cut proteins are a natural complement to the already vast offerings of the premium product portfolio that Wilson &amp; Associates represents today.&quot;Wilson and Associates is proud to have been selected to represent Vital Essentials in the 13 Western States and Canada,” said Jerry Wilson, President of Jerry Wilson &amp; Associates, Inc. “The Vital Essentials Brand has become a well-respected leader in multiple categories across raw pet foods and treats, and we are excited to expand their market share beyond what their exceptional team has already done in the West.”This partnership follows an initial expansion of the sales team this past Spring with the announcement of Vital Essentials working with NEMA, Inc., furthering its sales presence in the eastern half of the US. With these partnerships, Vital Essentials continues its sales growth across the country and its mission to be the most compelling and customer-centric sales force in the market, along with being the go to provider of raw food products for pets.For more information about Vital Essentials, please visit <a href="http://www.vitalessentialsraw.com" linktype="url">www.vitalessentialsraw.com</a>.<hr />About Carnivore Meat CompanyCarnivore Meat Company is an award-winning manufacturer of premium raw frozen and freeze-dried pet food and treats. Long considered a raw pet food pioneer, the company&#39;s freeze-dried products division supplies private label, co-packing and ingredients to customers globally. The company&#39;s rapidly growing brands in Green Bay, Wisconsin, include Vital Essentials® and VE RAW BAR, distributed to more than 7,000 retailers nationwide, in 14 international markets and online. Carnivore Meat Company has been recognized for its growth accomplishments and manufacturing excellence with several awards in recent years, including the Greater Green Bay Chamber Growth Award, Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Award, Governor&#39;s Export Achievement Award, Greater Green Bay Chamber Manufacturing Award of Distinction and Inc 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies. Visit the Carnivore Meat Company website at <a href="http://carnivoremeat.com" linktype="url">carnivoremeat.com</a>.About Wilson &amp; AssociatesJerry Wilson &amp; Associates, Inc. is an Independent Manufacturers Representative Firm that has been serving the Pet &amp; Animal Health Industries for over 30 years. Their combined staff of 9 Sales Associates has over 300+ years of Pet Industry experience in Retail, Wholesale, and MFG Sales &amp; Management. They proudly represent Leading Brands to the Pet Specialty &amp; Farm/Feed Trades in the Western U.S. and Canada.###Media Contact:Brianna M. Gillard<a href="mailto:vitalessentials@facteurpr.com" linktype="url">vitalessentials@facteurpr.com</a>(786) 897-7106

Vital Essentials Announces Strategic Partnership with Wilson & Associates for Western Sales Expansion

Green Bay, WI, April 11, 2023—Vital Essentials, the flagship brand of the Carnivore Meat Company, announced a strategic partnership with NEMA, Inc., to expand the company’s sales teams and foster greater connection with more retail partners across the country. Vital Essentials has been a pioneer in the raw, freeze-dried and frozen pet foods category. Its vast variety of dog and cat food, treats, meal toppers, and snacks are purely raw, ensuring that pets are provided the highest quality whole animal protein available, supporting energetic playtimes; healthier &amp; shinier coats; lean, strong muscles; digestive and oral health; and immune system &amp; heart health. As the leading manufacturer’s representative and consulting firm in the eastern half of the United States and with a combined 320 years of pet industry experience, NEMA, Inc. will help Vital Essentials reach more retailers across the country.“As we look to expand operations and connect with more retail partners across the country, NEMA will help us achieve that goal,” said Nick Ebert, Vice President of Sales at Vital Essentials. “Mark and the NEMA team are experts in the pet industry. Their deep industry expertise will help expand our sales touchpoints, increase our revenue, and allow us to continue to be the premier provider of raw, freeze-dried pet food. Our expectation is that Vital Essentials will be the most compelling and customer centric brand in the industry and NEMA helps us to bring that to life”The partnership will increase Vital Essentials’ market share in the eastern half of the country and increase the customer facing sales team for Vital Essentials to a great degree. The NEMA service area expands through 37 states, with a team of 14 business development professionals covering 75% of the population in the USA.“As the leader in the raw pet foods space, we are proud to partner with Vital Essentials and help support their growth,” said Mark Pustizzi, Owner of NEMA Pet Associates. “We believe in their mission to only offer the finest quality butcher cut protein and we look forward to helping them expand their offerings across our focus markets.”This announcement comes on the heels of a rebrand for Vital Essentials. Just last week, Vital Essentials unveiled its new packaging at the Global Pet Expo at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. The award-winning dog, cat food and treats unwrapped a new look highlighting premium kraft paper packaging to resemble the experience of visiting a butcher shop for butcher cut protein. The new packaging will arrive at retail this spring.For more information about Vital Essentials, please visit <a href="http://www.vitalessentialsraw.com" linktype="url">www.vitalessentialsraw.com</a>. About Carnivore Meat Company Carnivore Meat Company is an award-winning manufacturer of premium raw frozen and freeze-dried pet food and treats. Long considered a raw pet food pioneer, the company&#39;s freeze-dried products division supplies private label, co-packing and ingredients to customers globally. The company&#39;s rapidly growing brands in Green Bay, Wisconsin, include Vital Essentials® and VE RAW BAR, distributed to more than 7,000 retailers nationwide, in 14 international markets and online. Carnivore Meat Company has been recognized for its growth accomplishments and manufacturing excellence with several awards in recent years, including the Greater Green Bay Chamber Growth Award, Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Award, Governor&#39;s Export Achievement Award, Greater Green Bay Chamber Manufacturing Award of Distinction and Inc 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies. Visit the Carnivore Meat Company website at <a href="http://carnivoremeat.com" linktype="url">carnivoremeat.com</a>. About NEMA Inc. NEMA, Inc. is a manufacturer’s rep group founded in 1977. We have grown our service area to 37 States East of the Rockies. Our relationships span manufacturers, distributors, and every type of pet product retailer. We lead all other brokers with the most experienced sales team with industry leading experience and relationships. Our sales team is made up 13 industry leading specialists with over 320 years of combined experience specifically in the pet industry. We offer a class leading sales team equipped with the latest technology for maximum efficiency and productivity in the marketplace. Our goal is to provide our distinctly unique expertise to our manufacturer partners, and every customer in the channel to result in the growth of healthy, happy, successful pet parents.### Media Contact: Brianna M. Gillard <a href="mailto:vitalessentials@facteurpr.com" linktype="url">vitalessentials@facteurpr.com</a> (786) 897-7106

NEMA Sales Group

Discover Vital Essentials' strategic collaboration with NEMA Inc. Expanding sales presence for premium pet products. Learn more.

Vital Essentials will unwrap an all-new look of its premium raw dog and cat food, treats and supplements at Global Pet Expo 2023

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Vital Essentials® Expands into Pet Supplies Plus, Bringing Raw Nutrition to More Than 725 Neighborhood Pet Stores Nationwide

Vital Essentials Announces Strategic Partnership with Wilson & Associates for Western Sales Expansion

Vital Essentials Announces Strategic Collaboration with NEMA, Inc. To Expand Sales Presence