US: Steaming up sales of fresh potatoes

The NPD Group just released their 29th annual Eating Patterns in America report, and finds that an increase in meals from home is one of the single biggest changes in eating patterns in Americans in the last five years. “We are eating more meals in our homes, but not cooking more dishes,” says Harry Balzer, vice president of The NPD Group and author of the report. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the fresh potato category, where the white-hot microwaveable/steamable segment has seen dollar sales shooting up a scorching 31.0% for the latest 52 week period ending 9/27/14, according to data from Nielsen FreshFacts®.

One potato brand is uniquely positioned to take advantage of these trends to satisfy Americans who want fresh, nutritious food fast and with a minimum of fuss. Side Delights Steamables™ are triple washed, fresh, whole, small potatoes in a microwave safe package that is ready to serve in just 8 minutes. And Steamables are the ONLY microwave-ready potato brand that uses light-blocker packaging technology to keep potatoes fresher and protected from greening due to harsh store lighting.

Side Delights Steamables come in 7 delicious potato varieties – Russet, Red, Golden, White, Purple, Fingerling and Sweet Potatoes – the most expansive lineup in the steamable segment. And the inclusion of Purples, Fingerlings and Sweet Potatoes brings together these rapidly growing specialty potato types with the on-trend convenience of microwave cooking.

“Retailers have a tremendous opportunity with offering their shoppers more quick and convenient ways to enjoy fresh potatoes” said Kathleen Triou, President and CEO of Fresh Solutions Network. “Side Delights Steamables gives them a complete lineup of gourmet potatoes that appeal to time-starved families as well as Millennial shoppers, all packaged using the latest technology to protect their premium quality.” While Triou recommends merchandising Side Delights Steamables in the produce department with other fresh potatoes on an everyday basis, she notes that the big volume opportunities come from displaying these high-impulse potatoes near rotisserie chicken in the service deli or adjacent to the ready-to-heat entrees in the meat department.

Side Delights Steamables are perfectly positioned for today’s busy consumer – the fast, easy, delicious way to serve fresh potatoes with any meal!

For more information:
Kathleen Triou
Fresh Solutions
Tel: +1 (209) 627-6800
Email: ktriou@freshsolutionsnet.com