LOS ALAMITOS, CA – Demand for more variety in root veggies is climbing, says Frieda’s Specialty Foods, fueled by climbing vegetable-centric menu trends and foodies.
As health awareness spreads through foodservice and into retail, root vegetables offer not just nutrients, but also color, texture, and flavor.
“Retailers should ready their wet veg sets to take full advantage of this growing demand by building a beautiful display to showcase the wide selection and brilliant colors that can be found in root vegetables, from specialty carrots to radishes, parsnips, and beets,” Frieda’s recommended in a press release.
So what options does the company say offer the potential and variety those produce aisles need to catch the impulsive eyes of consumers? When it comes to the four roots listed above, the company offers a breakdown of the rising stars within each commodity.
When shopping among radishes, Frieda’s suggests the following:
- Easter egg
- French breakfast
- Daikon
- Watermelon radishes
Consumers continue to see and take home with them more and more ways to prepare and incorporate beets as well. To add some flare to those fresh beet displays, Frieda’s suggests red, gold, and striped (chioggia) beets.
Then there are the veggie root trenders’ best-kept secret; those roots that seem typical and yet will be shopped for by consumers “in the know” Frieda’s says, including:
- Jicama
- Celery root
- Parsnip
- Kohlrabi
- Sunchokes™
These unsuspecting roots have seasonal variation, with potential for roasting in the winter and being added to salads in the spring and summer time.
To catch consumer attention, Frieda’s recommends big, bold, colorful signage.
For roots with tops, the company also notes that occasional long truck rides can cause wilted or yellowing green tops. With a key focus on reducing food waste, Frieda’s Specialty has worked with its retail partners to trim yellow tops, or even soaking the greens, to revive instead of reject the product.
Interested retailers, wholesalers, and foodservice distributors can contact Frieda’s to either stock their wet racks, find out more information, and to gain access to the company’s product information, high resolution images, and recipe database.
