Posts Tagged “Side Delights”
San Francisco, CA– Side Delights revealed recently released trend data on the growing focus on the health benefits of foods and the impact it has on consumer behavior. Since the inception of the pandemic, healthy-eating and immunity has continued to gain importance with consumers, and it shows in their shopping habits. The International Food Information Council issued a report, “COVID-19 Pandemic Transforms the Way We Shop, Eat and Think About Food,” based on the recent IFIC’s 2020 Food & Health Survey.
According to the survey, 85% of Americans made at least some change in the food they eat or how they prepare it due to the coronavirus pandemic. 40% of respondents who said they were seeking food or diets for their health benefits were explicitly focused on their immune function and that plant-based items have continued to be a trend into 2021. The connection between healthy eating and reducing disease risk is outlined in the USDA’s newly released Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025. The guidelines recommend nutrient-rich plant-based foods like potatoes for all stages of life – starting as young as six months old.
In addition to what is in their food and its health benefits, consumers are paying more attention to where it is grown. As stated in the Forbes article Food Trends Forecast 2021: Being Healthy In A Post Covid-19 World, “Shoppers have changed how they are choosing their foods with a new yearning for reading labels, understanding what ingredients are in their foods, where their foods come from and which foods they should avoid.” Side Delights potatoes are literally “Grown Where It Matters” to be fresh, high-quality potatoes – grown in the best potato growing areas, stored in high-tech storage facilities, and packed and delivered close to customers/final mile experts so that the healthfulness of the fresh product stays intact for consumption by shoppers. Once the product is in the store, Side Delights offers award-winning, eye-catching packaging and a complete category assortment to address all types of shoppers (value, convenience-oriented, gourmet, and organic).
“In a time where immunity, health benefits, and food sourcing are critical aspects of food quality, Side Delights potatoes are a nutrient-rich choice for any meal at any age, grown in this country’s best-growing regions,” noted Kathleen Triou, President and CEO of Fresh Solutions Network. “Retailers benefit when they leverage this information and feature potatoes in stores and online to remind shoppers to add potatoes to their shopping lists and carts.”
About Fresh Solutions Network, LLC: Fresh Solutions Network (FSN) is the exclusive supplier of Side Delights® potatoes and onions. FSN is a group of family-owned potato and onion growers and shippers who help fresh potato and onion buyers grow their categories, maximize category investment, and increase sales. FSN delivers category insights, collaborative innovation, and customized assortment. Fresh Solutions Network, LLC partners include: Sterman Masser, Inc. (Masser Potato Farms and Keystone Potato Products in Sacramento and Hegins, PA), Michael Family Farms, Inc. (Urbana, OH), Basin Gold Cooperative, Inc. (Pasco, WA), NoKota Packers, Inc. (Buxton, ND), Sun-Glo of Idaho, Inc. (Sugar City, ID) and Mack Farms (Lake Wales, FL).
San Francisco, CA – Side Delights® shared trending findings on how potatoes and other vegetables may actually help make people happy. The link to diet and depression has become an increasingly hot topic following the American Psychiatric Association’s recent 2019 Annual Meeting in San Francisco, where medical experts presented research showing that the Mediterranean-style diet, associated with a reduced risk of cancer and longevity, may also help protect against depression. 1 At the meeting, Dr. Konstantinos Argyropoulos claimed that people who adhere to a Mediterranean diet are less likely to develop symptoms of depression later on in life. The Mediterranean diet, which U.S. News and World Report calls the diet a “well-balanced eating plan”, suggests that for optimum health, consumers should adopt new dietary guidelines: no grains, no dairy, less sugar, more healthy fats, medium amounts of protein, and most importantly, lots of vegetables.
A recent article in Healthline about treating depression and anxiety with a vegetable-based diet, cited two studies supporting the claims. In the first study, after clinically depressed participants ate a modified Mediterranean diet for three months, their symptoms were significantly better. In the other study, Spanish researchers found people who closely followed the Mediterranean lifestyle were 50 percent less likely to develop depression than those who didn’t.2 In another Healthline article dedicated to the health benefits of potatoes, points out that they are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants; can help with weight-loss by curbing hunger pains and cravings, and are naturally gluten-free. 3
“Potatoes have been known as America’s favorite vegetable for decades, and as research continues to build on the health advantages of vegetable-heavy eating plans, consumers are embracing filling, flavorful ways to incorporate vegetables into more meals, “said Kathleen Triou, President and CEO of Fresh Solutions Network. “Potatoes have a high-satiety factor and are extremely versatile – making them the perfect addition to a vegetable-based diet plan that can not only improve overall health but can help relieve depression.”
For more information on Side Delights® products, programs and recipes, visit www.sidedelights.com.
About Fresh Solutions Network®, LLC: Fresh Solutions Network (FSN) is the exclusive supplier of Side Delights® potatoes and onions. FSN is a group of family-owned potato and onion growers and shippers who help fresh potato and onion buyers grow their categories, maximize category investment, and increase sales. FSN delivers category insights, collaborative innovation, and customized assortment. Fresh Solutions Network, LLC partners include: Sterman Masser, Inc. (Masser Potato Farms and Keystone Potato Products in Sacramento and Hegins, PA), Michael Family Farms, Inc. (Urbana, OH), Basin Gold Cooperative, Inc. (Pasco, WA), Green Thumb Farms, Inc. (Fryeburg, ME), Red Isle Potato Growers, Ltd. (Prince Edward Island, Canada), NoKota Packers, Inc. (Buxton, ND), Sun-Glo of Idaho, Inc. (Sugar City, ID) and Mack Farms (Lake Wales, FL).
By Fresh Solutions Network
San Francisco, CA – Fresh Solutions Network recently announced packaging design award from Graphic Design USA, American Packaging Design Awards. The award celebrates the Side Delights® Flavorables™ fresh potato package design, with its vibrant color palette and bold flavor profiles, encouraging an exciting potato choice.
“Capitalizing on consumer flavor trends that are HOT, HOT, HOT, we challenged the design team to communicate the bold flavor combinations while providing package designs that would be just as stimulating visually on the shelf,” said Kathleen Triou, President and CEO of Fresh Solutions Network, “We designed the packaging for a consumer that wants to be excited about their food choices and who loves the convenience of preparing quick, healthy, flavor forward meals.”
The American Package Design Awards challenge entrants to “convey the message, promote the brand, and close the deal.” Winners are chosen not just on visual design, but how the product and packaging address specific market trends, marketing objectives, and target markets.
Side Delights® Flavorables™ are high quality, triple-washed, Red and Yellow petite potato varieties featuring sachets of delicious, Smokin’ Tomato, Malaysian Curry, and Chimichurri spice blends. These potatoes come in a one-pound microwaveable tray.
The packaging was designed to appeal particularly to the adventurous millennial consumers who are frequently seeking out new and bold flavor experiences. With clearly marked labeling for consumers interested in vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free, alternatives, these side dishes are guaranteed to satisfy consumers looking for a fresh alternative to the same old potato choices.
About Fresh Solutions Network, LLC: Fresh Solutions Network is a group of family owned growers and shippers who choose to work together to make the potato and onion industry better for everyone. FSN helps fresh potato and onion buyers grow their categories, maximize category investment, and increase sales. FSN delivers category insights, collaborative innovation and customized assortment. Fresh Solutions Network, LLC partners are: Sterman Masser, Inc. (Masser Potato Farms and Keystone Potato Products in Sacramento and Hegins, PA), Michael Family Farms, Inc. (Urbana, OH), Basin Gold Cooperative, Inc. (Pasco, WA), Green Thumb Farms, Inc. (Fryeburg, ME), Red Isle Potato Growers, Ltd. (Prince Edward Island, Canada), NoKota Packers, Inc. (Buxton, ND), Sun-Glo of Idaho, Inc. (Sugar City, ID) and Mack Farms (Lake Wales, FL).
By Fresh Solutions Network
Each year Produce Marketing Association’s Impact Award recognizes companies that bring innovation and excellence in packaging to supercharge the selling of fresh produce. Fresh Solutions Network was among only five winning companies recognized for excellence in packaging with their Side Delights Gourmet Petite potato line.
Fresh Solutions Network’s entry was one of 67 submitted by 56 companies. PMA judges narrowed the field to a group of 20 finalists, which were announced in September; at the recently-concluded PMA Fresh Summit in Anaheim, five overall winners were crowned.
According to PMA, “This notable award recognizes trendsetters that create and deliver bold new concepts into the industry.” Judges were tasked with ranking entrants against the following criteria; Marketing, Sustainability, Consumer Convenience, Supply Chain Efficiency/Functionality and Food Safety. Each entry had to identify how packaging innovation made the product more convenient for consumers or more easily merchandised by their store partners.
“The Gourmet Petite potato line was introduced in 2014 with the goal of providing a fresh new way to make every meal a little more interesting and enjoyable” stated Kathleen Triou, President & CEO for Fresh Solutions Network. “With Side Delights Gourmet Petite potatoes, consumers can enjoy the flavor, color and excitement of the specialty potatoes they find in fine-dining restaurants or see on their favorite cooking shows with the meals they make at home.”
“Consumers are looking for new ways to serve their favorite side dish – potatoes! – and growth of the Petite potato segment is leading the category at more than 16% year over year” continued Triou. “The Side Delights packaging is visually exciting and features contemporary, bold graphics and appetizing photography that grabs shoppers’ attention. And the stand-up pouch bag enhances shop-ability and convenience to spur incremental purchases.”
“We are thrilled to be recognized by the PMA Impact Awards. We see packaging as a vital component for increasing shopper engagement in the potato category, especially when packaging is often the only way for shoppers to judge the quality of the product inside. High marks for our packaging validates that we’ll create stronger sales on the potato table shelf,” added Triou. “Finally, we wish to congratulate the other award winners which were CMI for its Go-Go fresh cherry snacking pouch, Earthbound Farm for its PowerMeal Bowls, Mucci Farms for its New Pint tomato packaging and Wholly Guacamole for its grab n’ guac box.”
About Fresh Solutions Network, LLC:
Fresh Solutions Network is where potato growers work together for individual growth and category success. Fresh Solutions Network helps the most sophisticated potato and onion buyers grow their categories, fill product gaps, maximize category investment, and increase sales. We reinvented the procurement model by introducing a direct-supply “dream team.” Our approach gives you unprecedented access to competitive insights, collaborative innovation and optimal potato and onion assortment. Fresh Solutions Network Partners grow, pack, sell and deliver potatoes and onions directly to their retail and foodservice customers, providing seamless, transparent product supply and service. Fresh Solutions Network, LLC partners are: Sterman Masser, Inc. (Masser Potato Farms and Keystone Potato Products in Sacramento and Hegins, PA), Michael Family Farms, Inc. (Urbana, OH), Basin Gold Cooperative, Inc. (Pasco, WA), Green Thumb Farms, Inc. (Fryeburg, ME), Red Isle Potato Growers, Ltd. (Prince Edward Island, Canada), NoKota Packers, Inc. (Buxton, ND), and Sun-Glo of Idaho, Inc. (Sugar City, ID).