Supermarket Perimeter - September 2023 - 3

Editor's note
Editorial
Fresh value
JOHN UNREIN
Editor
ANDY NELSON
Managing Editor
HAYLEY HYER
Digital Media Associate Editor
Publishing
TROY ASHBY
Publisher
GRETCHEN WAGNER
National Account Executive
LAUREN JULIANA
Inside Sales Specialist
KATHI D. GILLELAND
Senior Director of Marketing
and Promotions
WHITNEY HARTMAN
Sales Enablement Specialist
DUSTIN PICKMAN
Audience Development Director
CARLEA CHANCE
Audience Development Specialist
JON HALL
Director of Digital Media
CARRIE FLUEGGE
Digital Advertising Manager
NORA WAGES
Advertising Manager
ANNIE FOURNIER
Advertising Coordinator
ELISABETH SPILLMAN
Design Services Manager
MARJ POTTS
Production Specialist
BECKY WHITE
Senior Design Consultant
FIONA DANKER
Senior Graphic Designer
KATELYN BETZ
Graphic Designer
JIM WHITE
Promotions Manager
ABBY CHRONISTER
Promotions Media Designer
Corporate
CHARLES S. SOSLAND
Chairman and CEO
L. JOSHUA SOSLAND
President
STACI GRECO
Chief Financial and
Administrative Officer
MEYER SOSLAND
Chief Operating Officer
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supermarketperimeter.com
SEPTEMBER 2023 - 3
ANDY NELSON
anelson@sosland.com
Remember when the fresh alternative to canned or
frozen green beans involved snapping the ends off of
the beans?
One by one by one...
Some people, like my mother, are more than happy to still do that. God bless 'em.
I think I speak for most of us, however, when I say that microwaveable fresh green beans
with the ends already cut off is a major step forward for civilization.
And they've even made that easier. You used to have to punch a hole in the bag with a
fork. Increasingly, the directions for value-added microwaveable products say that's no
longer necessary.
Short of having my personal robot microwave my green beans, add butter and salt to
them and feed them to me, I can't imagine it getting any easier.
It's just one of the countless ways the produce industry has made it more convenient for
us to eat fresh fruit and vegetables.
And they're innovating now more than ever - not just in convenience but in all the ways
today's consumers define value.
According to FMI's Power of Produce report, more than 3 in 10 shoppers say they'll
purchase more value-added produce in the next year.
Growing interest in foods that are fresh, healthy and delicious, foods that tell a story
and open up the world via the taste buds, play to all of the fresh produce category's many
strengths.
" Produce is in a great position, " said Rachel Young, digital marketing and communications
manager for Dole Food Company, Charlotte, N.C. " With health and wellness being so
important today, the opportunity for produce has never been better. "
Some of the top fresh produce trends Dole is tracking include increased demand for
organic, locally sourced and unique and exotic fruit and vegetable varieties; a growing
preference for plant-based diets and alternative proteins; flexitarianism; and a greater
emphasis on sustainable and eco-friendly practices.
Also at the head of the list: premiumization, which is characterized by a heightened focus
on flavor, superior ingredients, and appealing packaging.
Food safety and traceability have also become more important, compelling retailers to
underscore transparent sourcing practices and stringent safety protocols.
However you define value, the fresh produce industry likely has a product for you.

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Supermarket Perimeter - September 2023

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