Oval Coffee Roasters Launches Six Specialty Coffee Products at Fresh Thyme Market

NEW YORK, NY (2026) -- Oval Coffee Roasters has launched its complete six-product retail lineup at Fresh Thyme Market, expanding the New York City specialty coffee company’s distribution across the Midwest. Supported by KeHE Distributors, the assortment features three coffees in two formats:

• Bowling Green Women-Grown Coffee— light roast; clear and balanced

• The Natural Natural Process Coffee — light-medium roast; fruit-forward

• Riverside Half Caffeine Coffee — light-medium roast; 50/50 blend

Each coffee is available as whole bean and in eight-count packages of single-serve Pour Over Coffees. Oval specializes in attribute-forward, light and light-medium roasts designed to make each coffee’s sourcing, processing method or caffeine level easier to identify. The pour-over format requires only hot water and a mug, with no coffee machine, pod brewer or capsule required.

Fresh Thyme Category Manager Robert Abdee met Oval co-founders Andrew Itzkowitz and Christopher Alspach at the Specialty Food Association’s 2025 Summer Fancy Food Show. In June 2026, Abdee contacted Itzkowitz while he was conducting a retail visit outside a Fresh Thyme store in Chicago’s northern suburbs. Fresh Thyme was finalizing its coffee-category review and requested Oval’s KeHE rankings. A purchase order followed several weeks later.

Before the launch, Oval met with Abdee and Fresh Thyme Category Analyst Steven Suste to discuss the retailer’s coffee assortment, customer segments and plans for supporting the products at the store level.

“We specialize in light and light-medium roasts that preserve clarity, sweetness and the character of each coffee while remaining approachable for everyday drinking,” said Christopher Alspach, Director of Coffee and Co-Founder of Oval Coffee Roasters. “Our single-serve Pour Over Coffee extends that experience beyond a traditional brewing setup. Consumers only need hot water and a mug.”

Oval will participate in its first Fresh Thyme category-wide coffee promotion in October alongside the retailer’s coffee brands, local roasters and coffee creamers.

About Oval Coffee Roasters

Oval Coffee Roasters is a New York City specialty coffee roaster founded in New York City and roasting in The Bronx. Its attribute-first lineup is built around three clear profiles - Bowling Green Women-Grown coffee, The Natural Natural Process coffee and Riverside Half Caff coffee - offered as whole bean and single-serve Pour Over Coffee. Oval roasts light and light-to-medium coffees for clarity, sweetness, balance and everyday drinking, making specialty coffee easier to understand, brew and enjoy across retail, hospitality, offices and home routines.

About Fresh Thyme Market

Fresh Thyme Market is a neighborhood grocery retailer dedicated to improving the way its communities eat by offering fresh, healthy food at exceptional value. Its stores feature a thoughtfully selected assortment of natural and organic foods, trusted national brands and local favorites. Whenever possible, Fresh Thyme sources produce, meat, grocery and wellness products from local farmers, brands and partners - making healthy, sustainable choices more affordable and accessible.

About KeHE Distributors

KeHE Distributors is a leading distributor of natural, organic, specialty and fresh products, connecting suppliers with retailers throughout North America. KeHE provides distribution and supply-chain support for Oval Coffee Roasters' launch at Fresh Thyme Market.