SALINAS, CA - Salads have dominated my fridge space this past summer. From easy mixes to throw into a sizzling pan to mix-and-serve creations, the packaged leafy greens space continues to draw me in, and I’ve noticed more than a few eager consumers joining me. As the category continues to satisfy hungry shoppers throughout the year, I got in touch with Church Brothers Farms’ Ernst van Eeghen to see what the grower has in the bag for International Fresh Produce Association’s (IFPA) Global Produce & Floral Show.
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Our Tuscan Salads line we launched for foodservice this summer is still front and center for us. As the most comprehensive lineup of all-lettuce tender leaf blends in the industry, there’s something for everyone,” Ernst, Vice President of Foodservice Business Development, explains. “In addition to our existing Original blend and field-packed Farmer’s Selection, we added Supreme Green, Scarlett Butter, and Color & Crunch. Each of these has a distinct personality and suits various customer needs.”
As Ernst tells me, Supreme Green is a loftier alternative to other all-green salads; Scarlet Butter is elegant and sophisticated; and Color & Crunch takes operator convenience to the next level with the addition of chopped Romaine.
For retail shelves, Church Brothers has got you covered, as the grower expanded its line-up of convenience veg items to include snap peas, snow peas, and green beans. These additions now allow the grower to fill a complete schematic for any retailer, providing significant growth in the past year.
“We’ve received positive feedback on all of these blends, and look forward to spreading the word about them in Anaheim to foster more foodservice discussions. Our team is also excited to showcase specialty lettuce items that are a great way to drive incremental sales in the retail category,” Ernst continues. “This event is the biggest trade show of the year for us, and we always enjoy bonding with our fellow Salinas Valley growers at our booth in the Grower Shipper Pavilion. Of course, seeing customers face to face not just at the booth, but throughout the course of the three days is fun and productive. And, let’s just say a few of us may or may not be planning to stay an extra day to visit a certain mouse.”
The Grower Shipper Pavilion will be just as magical if you stop by booth #2289. There, the Church Brothers team will be incorporating its Our Roots Run Deep branding campaign that bridges the grower’s unique story and qualities.
Stay up-to-date as ANUK reports.
