Supermarket Perimeter - April 2020 - 57

SPOTLIGHT

more and more of these greenhouse-grown showing up, it will
put pressure on the traditional
salad companies."
In addition to greenhouse-grown, locally-sourced
lettuce, chopped salads and
salad kits are trends FreshPro is
tracking closely, with an increasing number of SKUs added to the
company's retail product roster.
The salad category continues
to evolve, and the key, Granata
said, is to have something for
everybody.
"We try to offer as many varieties as possible," he said. "Each
customer has their own best-sellers, and we try to accommodate
as much as possible."

Protein innovation
Ontario, California-based FiveStar
Gourmet Foods' latest salad
exclusive for Costco delivers a
protein-packed punch.
Steak Salad with Balsamic Blue
Cheese Vinaigrette is the latest
offering for the club store giant
from FiveStar's Simply Fresh line
of deluxe single-serve salads.
The salad features grilled
cilantro seasoned steak, aged
blue cheese, vegetable medley,
roasted edamame and carrots

with an in-house made balsamic
blue cheese vinaigrette complimenting a generous portion of
spring mix.
"We strive to strengthen our
partnership with Costco by
continuing to provide innovative
products that their members will
crave and be on the hunt for," said
Tal Shoshan, FiveStar's CEO.
"Incorporating meat proteins
with fresh salads is complex
within any fresh food operation, but we have perfected our
execution and are now upping the
ante by utilizing grilled steak to
provide consumers with another
protein option versus what is
offered today."
The 2-pack product contains
two-6-ounce single serve salads.
Each salad is only 300 calories
and contains 14 grams of protein
to satiate consumers appetites
and provide a complete meal
experience.
"Each salad is produced in our
unique square bowl with our patented diagonal condiments insert
and sealed using a patented 'Ultra
Fresh Sealed'™ technology which
offers the longest shelf life in the
industry without comprising on
quality and food safety," Shoshan
says.

FOLLOWING FOODSERVICE'S LEAD
By Rebekah Schouten
Fresh Express is putting three twists on the traditional Caesar
salad with its new line of Twisted Caesar Chopped Salad Kits.
"Infused with international and trending flavors and ingredients, like wonton strips, avocado and dried pineapple, the new
Chopped Salad Kits offer familiar favorites with unexpected,
mouth-watering twists," Fresh Express said.
The Twisted Asian Caesar kit contains romaine lettuce,
crunchy wonton strips, black sesame seeds, dried pineapple,
grated Parmesan cheese and Asian Caesar dressing. Each bag
contains 2.5 190-calorie servings.
The Twisted Avocado Caesar kit includes yellow and blue
tortilla strips, romaine lettuce, corn kernels, grated Parmesan
cheese and Avocado Caesar dressing. Each bag contains 2.5
130-calorie servings.
The Twisted Greek Caesar kit features herbed flatbread
strips, crumbled feta cheese, romaine lettuce and Greek
Caesar dressing. Each bag contains 2.5 90-calorie servings.

EARTHBOUND FARM, FRESH FOOD GROUP, FIVESTAR, FRESH EXPRESS

"Our newest Chopped Salad Kits were inspired by popular
restaurant menu offerings and trending flavors, as well
as a healthy dose of creativity," said Fabian Pereira, vicepresident of marketing and innovation at Fresh Express, a
subsidiary of Chiquita Brands International. "The talented
chefs at the Fresh Express Innovation Center put new twists
on the classic Caesar salad to bring an exciting, flavorful,
chef-inspired experience to consumers and more variety in a
fast-growing segment."
Fresh Express Twisted Caesar Chopped Salad Kits are
available in the refrigerated produce department at retailers
nationwide for a suggested retail price of $3.99.

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Supermarket Perimeter - April 2020

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