Supermarket Perimeter - August 2022 - 43

Fresh and exciting
In the fresh sausage segment, Midan Marketing has noticed a high
demand for fresh sausage meatballs for easy weeknight convenience.
" We've also seen manufacturers experiment with other proteins
and blended products, " Fleming said. " This includes chicken sausage
or blends like chicken/pork, beef/pork or even veggie or plant-based
sausage blends. "
Another trend that's popular with sausage manufacturers is increased
flavor experimentation. Sausage has a lot of touchpoints around the
world, from chorizo to linguiça, and consumers' desire to experiment
with global flavor profiles has reinvigorated the sausage category.
New and improved
Beef sausage is also gaining traction in the stores. Kay Cornelius,
general manager of Panorama Organic Grass-Fed Meats, noted there
are very few beef sausages currently on the market and almost none in
the organic category. That's why the company has put a big focus on its
organic sausage, raised by U.S. family ranchers.
" Panorama Organic Hickory Smoked Uncured Sausages have an
Audubon Certification and a commitment to preserve over 700,000
acres of grasslands, " she said. " The product is hand crafted in a multigenerational
smokehouse in the old-world style of smoked polish
sausages. A great link that fits in a bun or served as a component of any
fantastic family meal. "
This summer, Kiolbassa Smoked Meats launched a Cajun-style
Andouille smoked sausage, a blend of premium spices and fine-cuts of
pork that are hardwood smoked to perfection.
" Our Louisiana-style kick and smoky flavor differentiates them from
our other smoked sausages, and they are for a limited time only, " said
Michael Kiolbassa, CEO and president of Kiolbassa Smoked Meats.
Hofmann Sausage Company expanded its product line quite a bit
over the last couple of years, including the introduction of the Roasted
Red Pepper & Asiago Chicken Sausage and a maple breakfast sausage,
both of which have been popular among consumers.
" We also have Italian sausage, a great jalapeno cheddar sausage and
a kielbasa, so we have quite a few products that follow the national
trends we are seeing, " Baker said. " The American palate likes hotter and
spicier foods, so we are bringing some of those to market. We try to
come up with new products that are a bit more creative than what is
out there today. "
Niman Ranch recently introduced a new Applewood Smoked Bacon
Breakfast Sausage, which has been performing very well in 2022.
" Finally, breakfast meat lovers can have both sausage and bacon all
in one package-we call it the 'perfect link,' " Calvert said. " This new
product was recognized by People Magazine in their prestigious annual
Food Awards. "
Marketing and merchandizing
For stores looking to bolster their sausage sales, Baker recommends
having a set space for the products during the peak grilling season of
Memorial Day through Labor Day.
" A lot of grocery partners have that space for seasonal items, or
special bunkers, and that's always good for sales, " she said. " I also
like when they combine a lot of the like-products, so there are some
AUGUST 2022 - 43
New flavors and
grilling options are
among the many new
sausage offerings from
industry leaders.
Supermarket Perimeter - August 2022

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