Bolthouse Fresh Foods™ Karen White Discusses Carrot Fries, Organic Side Dish Sizzlers, and More in Lead Up to SEPC Southern Exposure

BAKERSFIELD, CA - The world of carrots is getting wider, thanks to consistent innovation and category exploration from Bolthouse Fresh Foods^™. As the company prepares to meet face-to-face with the Southeast market at this year’s Southern Exposure in Orlando, Florida, the team took the time to spotlight not only the innovation it has added to the category with its latest offerings, but the importance of those connecting at the Southeast Produce Council’s (SEPC) first show of the year.

“Events like Southern Exposure provide important context beyond individual products, creating space for meaningful discussions around category performance, execution at shelf, and opportunities to simplify the shopper experience,” Karen White, Vice President of Marketing, shared. “Carrots remain a foundational item in the produce department, and continued growth depends on keeping the category easy to navigate, relevant to everyday meals and snacks, and supported by both core volume drivers and thoughtful innovation.”

Keeping the category ahead of the curve, Bolthouse Fresh is focused on continuing to expand carrot reach through innovation, versatility, and everyday convenience. The key, Karen said, is in delivering solutions that walk the line of feeling familiar to shoppers while opening them up to new ways to enjoy carrots.

“A highlight at the show will be our Carrot Fries, a fresh take on a home mealtime favorite. This offering is a complete fresh kit designed for air fryer or oven preparation, making it easy for shoppers to achieve a crispy, craveable result at home. A proprietary crisping agent helps deliver the texture consumers expect from sweet potato fries,” she explained.

Flavor profiles for the Carrot Fries, including Classic Sea Salt, Rockin’ Ranch, and Spicy Chipotle, are designed to pair naturally with everyday meals like burgers, tacos, and sandwiches, or stand on their own.

“We are also highlighting the introduction of our Organic Side Dish Sizzlers, building off the success of our conventional platform and extending the product line to organic. This is the only organic rainbow value-added carrot offering, delivering both visual appeal and flavor-driven convenience. The offering appeals to organic shoppers while remaining approachable and craveable for the entire household,” Karen said.

Organic Side Dish Sizzlers are available in Sweet and Smoky BBQ, Sweet Teriyaki and Ginger, and Greek Vinaigrette, each flavor designed to complement the natural range of tastes found in organic rainbow carrots.

Recognizing the importance of carrots’ already strong position, Karen shared, is another large part of the equation.

“Alongside our value-add platforms, we continue to support retailers with a strong core carrot portfolio, giving buyers flexibility to build a set that balances everyday staples with innovation that drives interest and engagement. Overall, buyers can expect solutions that flex across both meal and snacking occasions while making the carrot set easier to shop and more engaging at the shelf,” she concluded.

Knowing that shelf presence is a direct result of conversations with current and prospective retail partners, Karen and the rest of Bolthouse Fresh are more than ready to meet Southern Exposure attendees at Bolthouse Fresh Foods booth #611.

Taking the discussions from the SEPC showfloor directly to its in-house approach to category stewardship throughout the year, the Bolthouse Fresh team is among those to watch when it comes to keeping the produce department front-and-center for all shoppers.