Orlando, Florida-based Fresh Express, a maker of value added salads, has launched four new flavors across its popular salad kit lines: Bacon Thousand Island and Kickin’ Bacon Ranch Chopped Salad Kits, and Italian Balsamic and Spinach & Bacon Salad Kits.
As a result of the pandemic, consumers have scaled back on restaurant or out-of-home dining and most meals are now prepared and enjoyed at home, driving increased demand for meal solutions that are flavorful, nutritious and easy to prepare.
“Throughout the past year, we’ve seen that consumers are increasingly looking to add convenience and flavor to their at-home meals, without sacrificing quality,” said Fabian Pereira, VP of marketing and innovation at Fresh Express. “Our new salad kits combine premium ingredients like honey butter cornbread crisps and smoked bacon with fresh, crisp lettuce and vegetables to make it easy for consumers to enjoy a chef-crafted and nutritious meal with minimal time spent in the kitchen.”
The increased consumer demand also has driven strong growth for the value added salad (VAS) category. The VAS Kits category continues to grow and remains an important segment in Total VAS, with a 37 percent share. In 2020, VAS Kits were up 16.1 percent, while Total VAS was up 12.2 percent and Total Chopped Kits were up 21.8 percent.
Fresh Express Bacon Thousand Island and Kickin’ Bacon Ranch Chopped Salad Kits offer two ways to enjoy smoked bacon, a favorite among consumers and a popular ingredient on most restaurant menus.
- Bacon Thousand Island: Fresh iceberg and green leaf lettuce layered with unique sweet and savory ingredients including honey butter cornbread crisps, Parmesan cheese crisps, smoked uncured bacon bits and a creamy Thousand Island dressing.
- Kickin’ Bacon Ranch: Garden fresh green leaf lettuce, green and red cabbage, carrots and green onions finished with a touch of heat and zesty flavor from Jalapeno Ranch dressing and topped with tortilla strips and crispy uncured bacon bits.
Fresh Express Italian Balsamic and Spinach & Bacon Salad Kits combine classic flavors with premium toppings that reflect today’s consumer preferences.
- Italian Balsamic: Fresh iceberg and green leaf lettuce and radicchio tossed with a White Balsamic Vinaigrette, focaccia croutons and an Italian three-cheese blend.
- Spinach & Bacon: Vibrant and tender baby spinach and spring mix combined with red cabbage, carrots, mesquite-smoked slivered almonds, smoked uncured bacon bits and a Sweet Onion Dijon dressing.
The kits are available now in the refrigerated produce department at retailers nationwide, including Albertsons, Safeway, Hannaford, Food Lion and Harris Teeter, with a suggested retail price of $3.69.
For more information about Fresh Express, including products and recipes, visit freshexpress.com.
