SANTA MARIA, CA - There’s nothing quite like cracking apart a fresh head of cauliflower. From the crisp stems to the crunchy tops, this versatile veg presents endless retail and foodservice opportunities for unique eating experiences. As the cauliflower program at Gold Coast Packing continues to accelerate, consumers will be flocking to the produce aisle in hopes of snagging a SKU or two. To find out what we can expect from the grower’s harvest this year, I tapped Crystal Chavez, Marketing Coordinator.
“All of our cauliflower is grown in the Santa Maria Valley of California,” she began. “We grow cauliflower year-round, but the program is currently ramping up. The varieties we are harvesting now include Absolute, Paciencia, and Symphony. Quality this year is about the same as the year’s past.”
Crystal went on to explain that quality can be a bit challenging to maintain during the spring transition, but Gold Coast hasn’t seen any major issues or concerns. The grower’s supply is ideal at the moment, and retailers should look to highlight the category’s versatility during this promotional period.
“Cauliflower is such a trending vegetable. It is growing more and more,” explained Crystal. “Cauliflower is being used as a carb substitute in so many applications. At first it was the perfect pizza crust, but it has evolved to nugget breading, dips, and is now making its way into quick service restaurants as a healthier alternative. Don’t count cauliflower out, because it is the trending item that keeps evolving and with innovation can be almost anything!”
You heard it here first, folks: Cauliflower is one of the top categories to tackle for retailers looking to beef up their bottom line. Keep checking in with us at AndNowUKnow for more of the latest reports in fresh produce.
