Supermarket Perimeter - September 2023 - 12

MORE
THAN
3 IN
Source: FMI
10
shoppers believe they will purchase more
value-added produce in the next year.
ONE THIRD also said that providing more
fruit and vegetable snacking items is a
good way retailers can help consumers
increase fresh consumption.
A parallel trend, she said, is the proliferation of novel and enticing
produce varieties, aligning with the growing interest in diverse food
options.
Food safety and traceability have also gained paramount importance,
compelling retailers to underscore transparent sourcing practices and
stringent safety protocols, Mackay said.
Creating value
One of the dominant trends in fresh produce is also common in
most corners of the food world: catering to younger people and their
abandonment of the three-meals-a-day model.
" The word of the day, week, month and likely year is snacking, "
said Chris Veillon, chief marketing officer for Leamington, Ont.-based
greenhouse vegetable and fruit producer Pure Flavor. " Now that we're
long past Covid, lives have gotten busier, with kids fully immersed in all
activities, which means a greater need for healthy snack alternatives. "
Pure Flavor has seen significant growth in its snacking category,
with consumers looking for greater variety and consistency, which
greenhouse grown vegetables can provide.
" Snacking is the fastest growing segment, sometimes outpacing two
to one, or more, depending on the time of year. Greenhouse-grown
allows for a consistent supply year-round. "
Convenient and healthy snack packs like Pure Flavor's Mini Munchies
and Snack+ products are an ideal solution for those who want to eat
healthy but don't have a lot of time, Veillon said.
According to FMI's Power of Produce report, more than 3 in 10
shoppers believe they will purchase more value-added produce in the
next year.
One third also said that providing more fruit and vegetable snacking
items is a good way retailers can help consumers increase fresh
consumption.
In addition to snacking products in particular, Pure Flavor is also
seeing a greater variety of grab and go options in general, and a
transition to smaller formats, which is prompting retailers to ramp up
their product assortment and related displays, Veillon said.
Pure Flavor is also tracking more cross-merchandising of fresh
produce with center-of-store items.
Dole is seeing similar trends, Young said.
Retailers, for instance, are increasingly recognizing the need to invest
in visually appealing displays to draw more shoppers to the produce
section and enhance the consumer experience.
12 - SEPTEMBER 2023
" There's more of a focus on storytelling and educating consumers
about the origin and nutritional benefits of produce, " she added.
" Retailers are also using technology to provide nutritional information
and recipe ideas, creating a seamless shopping experience for healthconscious
consumers. "
Dole uses QR codes on our packaging, stickers and tags to help
deliver more information on product origins and healthy usage
inspirations.
The pandemic-induced surge in home cooking has led to the rise of
value-added products such as Mann's Air Fryer Veggie Kit, which meets
demand for convenient and versatile options, Del Monte's Mackay said.
Organic is another category that continues to grow for many fruit
and vegetable growers and their retail partners.
supermarketperimeter.com
Making meal prep as easy
as possible continues
to be a major focus for
fresh produce shippers.
Dole
http://www.supermarketperimeter.com
Supermarket Perimeter - September 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Supermarket Perimeter - September 2023
