<p>Tanimura & Antle has experienced tremendous growth in one of its newest product lines: Artisan Lettuce. The European varieties are being increasingly adopted by consumers. In just a few years, the product has grown from an experiment to Tanimura & Antle packing 75,000 boxes a week, according to The Californian.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>“Sales have increased several hundred percent since we introduced the line,” Mike Antle, Executive Vice President and COO, said. The Petite Tango, Petite Oak and Petite Gem are the fully mature lettuce varieties packaged in clear retail clamshells.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">“We are always looking for new offerings for our customers,” Antle noted.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Retailers like presenting lettuce in a more appealing farm-stand environment. With this harvest, likely to last the next four weeks, the company will roll out its new clam shell that allows consumers to view the product with an open top without plastic impeding their view.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">T&A is working with Salinas-based Salad Savoy on a new variety Antle is calling “Kale Blossoms." Part kale and part Brussels sprout, the variety was first introduced in Berlin last year.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">With a constantly evolving interest in new salad offering, consumer interest has prompted T&A to devote significant resources into developing new product lines. The publication states that Artisan Lettuce sales have been on such a strong growth curve that they are beginning to rival romaine hearts in the value-added product lines, according to research conducted by PMA.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">T&A research indicates that 86% of consumers surveyed said they would try Artisan Lettuce if it was available at their grocer. Antle said, “Food service and club stores are driving the sales, but retail is picking up.” </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>With these new varieties picking up momentum, salad will never be the same.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="http://www.thecalifornian.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013311050020" target="_new">The Californian </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="http://www.taproduce.com/trade/index.php" target="_new">Tanimura & Antle </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
