Bunji dog treats to hit Ritchies shelves
Cooee Native Superfoods’ Bunji range of dog kibble and treats is rolling out across Ritchies Supermarkets now, with stock already on shelves in selected stores.
The launch takes Bunji, an Indigenous-owned pet food brand built on native Australian ingredients, into 70 Ritchies IGA Supermarkets, lifting total distribution to more than 200 independent supermarkets nationwide within the month. The Ritchies rollout sits alongside a presence in 50 Foodland Supermarkets in South Australia and additional independent IGA stores across the country.
Founded in 1870, Ritchies is one of Australia’s oldest and largest independent supermarket and liquor groups, operating IGA-banner stores nationally. The retailer has a long track record of backing independent suppliers, championing Australian-made products and supporting local communities through its Ritchies Community Benefit Program, which has returned more than $54 million to schools, sporting clubs and charities across the country since 1993.
Cooee Native Superfoods founder and CEO Terri-Ann "Tezzi" Daniel, a Wiradjuri woman, said the move into Ritchies was a natural fit.
"Bunji came from the same place as everything we do at Cooee. Making products that people can trust and feel good about bringing into their homes," Ms Daniel said.
"Ritchies has a strong connection to community and a long history in Australian retail. It's the right home for Bunji."
Ritchies CEO elect Wayne Harrison said the retailer was pleased to welcome Bunji into its stores.
"Cooee is an Indigenous-owned business with a clear sense of purpose, and that’s something we value," Mr Harrison said.
"Our customers are looking for quality products with a genuine story behind them, and Bunji delivers on both. Backing Indigenous-owned suppliers like Cooee aligns with our long-standing commitment to community, and through this partnership, we’re proud to support Indigenous farming initiatives that flow benefits back to the growers and communities behind these products."
Native ingredients, Australian flavours
The Bunji range is inspired by classic Australian home cooking, with flavours including Roast Beef and Bush Rosemary Pie and Nana's Lamb and Saltbush Stew. Products are made in Inverell, NSW, using Australian ingredients.
The native botanicals used across the Bunji range, including saltbush and bush rosemary, are sourced directly from Indigenous growers and communities. It's a deliberate choice that keeps benefit and supply flowing back to the people who have cultivated these ingredients for generations.
The Ritchies rollout reflects steady growth in demand for locally made pet products with clear provenance and builds on Bunji's position in the independent retail channel.
A growing Indigenous-owned business
The Ritchies launch caps a period of sustained growth for Cooee Native Superfoods across retail, convenience and food service. The business recently acquired Adelaide-based Creative Native Foods, a supplier of native ingredients to restaurants and tourism operators and continues to expand across supermarkets and other channels.
"We're building a business that connects people, products and place," Ms Daniel said. "Bunji brings that same thinking into pet care."
Range and availability
The Bunji range available at Ritchies includes four SKUs across kibble and treats, with 400g treat packs and 3kg kibble bags. Stock is rolling into Ritchies stores now, with a staged rollout across the full Ritchies network in the coming weeks.
Key facts
Bunji dog treats and kibble rolling out across Ritchies Supermarkets now, with stock already on shelves in selected stores
Distribution to span more than 200 independent supermarkets nationally within the month, including 70 Ritchies IGA Supermarkets
Existing footprint includes 50 Foodland Supermarkets in South Australia and additional independent IGA stores across Australia
Range includes
Range includes four SKUs across 400g treat packs and 3kg kibble bags, made in Inverell, NSW using Australian ingredients
Native botanicals including saltbush and bush rosemary sourced from Indigenous growers and communities
Cooee Native Superfoods is a Wiradjuri-owned business founded by Terri-Ann "Tezzi" Daniel
Ritchies, founded in 1870, has returned more than $54 million to Australian communities through its Community Benefit Program since 1993, and is supporting Indigenous farming initiatives through this Bunji partnership
