Supermarket Perimeter - June 2023 - 50

Produce
Fresh-cut
FRUITS and
VEGETABLES
By Andy Nelson
CONVENIENCE AND HEALTH CONTINUE TO DRIVE HUGE GROWTH
IN DEMAND for fresh-cut fruits and vegetables at grocery retail.
Coral Gables, Fla.-based Fresh Del Monte is expanding and
strengthening both its fresh-cut fruit and organic fresh-cut fruit
programs this year, said Kirk Teske, vice president, product management
and sales, Fresh Cut North America.
Over the past few years, the company has closely tracked rising
demand for organic products and has expanded its organic fresh-cut
fruit production accordingly, Teske said.
In addition, Del Monte is expanding its conventional fresh-cut
programs for Del Monte Gold Extra Sweet pineapples, melons, grapes,
citrus, apples, mangoes and kiwis in both the United States and Canada.
One thing Del Monte loves to emphasis to its customers: fruits are cut
locally for peak freshness and maximum shelf life.
Fresh-cut sales at Del Monte have bounced back significantly now
that COVID is long past its peak, Teske said.
" With consumers physically back in stores, sales have been
tremendous. Specifically, we've seen increased demand and produce
volume for Del Monte pineapples, mangoes and watermelons. "
Convenience and quality, he added, have been the main drivers.
Fresh-cut vegetables are also trending up, Teske said. One main
driver is the rise in demand for meal and dish kits.
" Today's consumers greatly value convenience, " he said. " From what
we've seen, prepped and diced onions and peppers are very popular.
The meal solutions category continues to grow in popularity, even
outside of the fruit space. "
The future of fresh-cut looks bright, Teske said. With retailers
expanding their fresh-cut spaces to offer a larger array of fruits and
vegetables, Del Monte strives to make its cut-to-order produce as
convenient as possible for retailers.
50 - JUNE 2023
" Whether orders are for direct, next day deliveries or pickups, our cutto-order
process eliminates obstacles for retailers and helps continue to
incrementally grow retail sales. "
The right equipment
Troy, Ohio-based Hobart has a wide array of food preparation
equipment used in the production of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables,
said Megan Gray, product line manager.
These include continuous-feed food processors, bowl style food
processors, potato peelers, salad dryers, food cutters and more.
Hobart's food processors are available in a variety of sizes to support
both large and small operations and everything in between, Gray said.
The company's smallest continuous-feed model can process up to 11
pounds per minute, and its largest food processor can process up to 132
pounds per minute.
" Grocery stores can benefit from using our food preparation equipment
because it saves them time and can make their prep more efficient. "
One trend that Hobart is tracking closely is the rise of retail
foodservice, Gray said.
" Many retailers have taken on this grocerant concept over the past
few years by creating ready-made meals and offering more graband-go
options. Customers are always looking for quick and easy
options, and these ready-made meals are the perfect solution. "
More retail foodservice, Gray said, means more food prep is required
in-store. That's where food preparation equipment from suppliers like
Hobart can save the day.
" Food processors can cut prep time in half and have the ability to
create several varieties of cuts. "
As Hobart continues to better understand the market, its product
mix has grown, Gray said. One thing that has been driven home in the
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