Boulart Inc., Lachine, Quebec, recently signed a deal with Ralphs, a grocery store chain based in Valencia, CA, to sell its artisanal breads in 89 Ralphs stores in Southern California, including in locations in Los Angeles, Oxnard, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura.

This deal ensures Boulart’s market penetration in Southern California, a key market for the brand, given the region’s health-conscious consumer demographic. The company announced its Non-GMO Project certification in April, a first for artisanal brands in its category.

"Boulart is committed to constantly changing the game and so is Ralphs," says Boulart founder and president Michel Saillant. "It's never been about conforming to industry standards—it's about setting new ones. We are great partners because we share the same vision."

In mid-October, Boulart will begin a multi-month sampling campaign at select Ralphs in the Los Angeles area to introduce new customers to the brand's artisanal bread offerings.

For more about Boulart—Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery’s 2015 Bakery of the Year—read “Industrial artisans extraordinaire.”