Vertical Wellness, a leader in the branded hemp cannabinoid health and wellness space, has acquired The Organic Candy Factory in a stock transaction. No other financial details were disclosed.

Vertical Wellness and Organic Candy Factory each have a focus on health and wellness. This venture will combine Vertical Wellness’ knowledge and reach in chain, distribution and growth strategies with Organic Candy Factory’s intimate knowledge of the better-for-you candy segment. 

By growing the existing direct-to-consumer business, while expanding the existing retail outlets and integrating the brand into Vertical Wellness’ distribution network, Organic Candy Factory has a direct line to change the way people think about candy. The collaboration will provide Vertical Wellness an opportunity to produce an adult-focused hemp and cannabinoid-infused versions of Organic Candy Factory products, combined with VWEL’s patented fast acting higher bioavailability technology.

“Piper (Cochrane) and her daughter Ginger have done a remarkable job building a truly unique brand in the better-for-you candy market over the last 10 years,” said Smoke Wallin, chairman and CEO of Vertical Wellness. “This segment is large and outpacing the traditional confectionery/snack market significantly. We also know the top form factor in the CBD market has been gummies. Having an established brand that is 100 percent organic and is the best-tasting product on the market is the perfect segue for us to expand into that space as ingestibles go mainstream. We welcome Piper, Ginger and the Organic Candy Factory to our growing team and family of brands at Vertical Wellness.”

Focusing on a larger piece of the $37.5-billion U.S. candy market, Organic Candy Factory is differentiating itself by offering an organic, vegan, kosher, non-GMO, gluten-free gummy bear. Initial offerings include Peach and Berry (Boysenberry, Blackberry, and Raspberry), but there are plans to offer milk and dark-chocolate dipped variations. Current retailers include Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Eataly, Waldorf Astoria, and Pressed Juicery. 

“My dream is to build Organic Candy Factory into the leading brand of better-for-you candies,” said Piper Cochrane, founder and CEO of The Organic Candy Factory. “Vertical Wellness has the right team and scalable platform to achieve this.”

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