Frieda’s Branded Produce Shares Seasonal Insights; Alex Jackson Comments

LOS ALAMITOS, CA - Among the beloved cranberries and green beans is a fresh produce display that will surprise and delight holiday shoppers. In the specialty produce set, consumers will find an array of unique fruits and vegetables from Frieda’s Branded Produce. Alex Jackson, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, is here to share more.

“All year long, we lead with color, creativity, and a question: ‘Wait…what is that?’ That’s the reaction we’re after. Thanksgiving is no exception,” Alex began. “Adding an element of surprise to table-tested traditions helps to make the day memorable. This is why our Organic Stokes Purple® sweet potatoes lead our Thanksgiving lineup. Their vibrant purple flesh and mildly sweet flavor have made them a consumer favorite. They’re the fastest-selling and growing variety on the market, available exclusively from Frieda’s. These sweet potatoes make holiday casseroles, sides, and pies look (and taste) better than ever.”

Alex pointed out that the ube, a purple yam native to the Philippines, has been sweeping social media and dessert menus this year. Fresh ube, however, is not available in the United States. Stokes Purple gives retailers an easy way to add some purple power to their produce array.

“Other seasonal highlights from Frieda’s help to round out the holiday spread. Our watermelon radishes bring a peppery crunch with appetizing pale green and pink to make a beautiful garnish or pickle,” Alex explained. “Sunchokes make a nutty, sweet, and earthy alternative to potatoes. They’re great for roasting or mashing. For ornamental beauty or one-of-a-kind candied rinds, baked goods, and cocktails, the aromatic Buddha’s Hand citron is a must-have.”

There is another holiday-centric category on shoppers’ minds: onions. From stuffing to sides, onions hold it all together during the holidays:

• Frieda’s pearl onions add delicate, bite-sized charm to salads and pickles
• Boiler onions bring savory depth to roasted meats and poultry
• Cipolline onions caramelize beautifully for vinaigrettes, roasts, and soups
• Shallots bring savory sophistication to sauces, sautés, and more

“These items not only add personality to the Thanksgiving table; they also encourage discovery when consumers are out shopping for the potatoes and celery,” Alex added. “Our research shows that 56 percent of shoppers want to use produce that is more special than what they typically buy, especially when cooking for the holidays. And with Millennials and Gen Z driving 58 percent of the Thanksgiving spend, Frieda’s products fit right in with their search for new takes on holiday tradition.”

In our next article, Alex will pull back the curtain on Frieda’s holiday promotions and how retailers can be sure these specialty products stand out on the shelf.