Dole Launches An Organic Salad Line In Response To Growing Consumer Demand
MONTEREY, Calif. — Dole has answered the call for organic products with its organic salad line, consistent with its long-term strategy of offering one of the industry’s most comprehensive lines of prepackaged salad kits and blends.
DOLE® Organic, featuring organic versions of Dole’s most popular conventional salad blends, is now available for nationwide distribution. Four organic products packaged in clamshells with resealable lids will retail for $3.99, and join two initial fresh cut products to add to Dole’s growing organic segment. Other DOLE Organic products are expected as demand dictates.
The four DOLE Organic SKUs now available to retailers nationwide include:
- DOLE Organics Arugula Blend – A perfect blend of organic arugula with a delectable zesty and bold flavor profile. In 5-oz. resealable clamshells
- DOLE Organics 50/50 Blend – An ideal blend of baby spinach and organic Spring Mix blend, combining baby lettuces, baby greens and endive, resulting in a delicious concert of complex and robust flavors. In 5-oz., 10-oz. and 16-oz. resealable clamshells
- DOLE Organics Baby Spinach Blend – Tender baby spinach with a delightful zesty and bold flavor profile. In 5-oz., 10-oz. and 16-oz. resealable clamshells.
- DOLE Organics Spring Mix Blend – A delicious Spring Mix containing baby lettuces, baby greens, endive and radicchio delivering a wonderfully complex and robust flavor. In 5-oz., 10-oz. and 16-oz. resealable clamshells.
“We launched an initial line of organic salad blends last year consistent with the gradual mainstreaming of organic and to satisfy industry demand for a separate, DOLE-branded organic line,” explained CarrieAnn Arias, Director of Marketing at Dole Fresh Vegetables.
Arias said that one of the advantages of DOLE® Organic is the fact that it has been designed to be marketed alongside conventional DOLE® Salads kits and blends, to ultimately grow the organic category. “While our consumers frequent specialty retailers on occasion, they especially appreciate the ability to purchase the full spectrum of DOLE® Salad kits and blends, in both conventional and increasingly organic, at national retailers.”
For last year’s soft launch of DOLE® Organic, the company created an elegant clamshell design that both announced the newly branded line and conveyed essential product information. Graphic Design USA selected DOLE® Organic for a 2014 American Package Design Award, which, according to the awards criteria, “recognize well-designed graphics as well as the power of design to advance a brand promise and forge an emotional connection with the buyer at the moment of truth.”
For more information about DOLE Salad Blends and Kits, visit the website at www.dolesalads.com or Facebook at www.facebook.com/dolesalads.
Dole® Introduces Salad Companions Just-Add-Lettuce Salad Solutions
New DOLE SALAD COMPANIONS™, the first line of natural, just-add-lettuce salad solutions providing a total-recipe option in an all-in-one-package, gives consumers everything they need to turn their favorite, freshest greens into an exciting flavorful salad.
Each Salad Companions recipe includes a variety of flavorful toppings – including dried cranberries, crispy apple chips, roasted nuts and other ingredients – with an original, perfectly paired dressing. Consumers simply toss Salad Companions with their favorite greens, head lettuces or premixed salad blends to create a delicious salad in minutes.
Four new DOLE Salad Companions™ will launch in convenient tray packaging in June 2014, with national supermarket distribution expected by October 2014 – and more flavor varieties expected soon.
- DOLE SALAD COMPANIONS™ Apple Walnut Harvest: Crispy apple chips, dried cranberries, walnuts, aged white cheddar cheese and Dole’s own Apple Cider Dijon Vinaigrette dressing. Pairs best with Dole’s popular Spring Mix or similar blends.
- DOLE SALAD COMPANIONS™ Pesto Asiago: Pine nuts, sun-dried tomato croutons, shredded Asiago and Mozzarella cheeses, and Dole’s own Signature Caesar dressing. Pairs best with butter lettuces or mild, sweet greens like Dole’s Butter Bliss blend.
- DOLE SALAD COMPANIONS™ Pecan Honey Dijon: Dried cranberries, roasted pecans sweet cornbread croutons, aged white cheddar and Dole’s own Honey Dijon dressing. Pairs best with Dole’s Field Greens or similar blend.
- DOLE SALAD COMPANIONS™ Signature Caesar: Parmesan, Romano, Asiago and Mozzarella cheeses, toasted garlic croutons and Dole’s own Signature Caesar dressing. Pairs best with Romaine lettuce or a DOLE Salad blend like Hearts of Romaine or Leafy Romaine.
According to Elsa Pong, Dole Fresh Vegetables Director of Marketing, New Products and Innovation, the all-in-one nature of Salad Companions, especially the addition of the dressings, makes them easy for consumers to try new salad recipes with perfectly paired ingredients without having to commit to an entire bottle of dressing or other bulk ingredients. “We made it easier to enjoy new salad combinations,” she said. “Thanks to Salad Companions, consumers can easily pair them with their favorite greens for a flavor adventure every day of the week.”
Salad Companions will be available in the refrigerated dressing section or alongside Dole’s existing salad kits and blends for the suggested retail price (SRP) of $3.79.
Dole will support Salad Companions with on-pack coupons at shelf; web, social media and shopper marketing programs; and exclusive Salad Circle content. PR outreach will include product sampling to generate product awareness and elicit trial and reviews from food media, culinary and fitness bloggers, registered dieticians (RDs), supermarket registered dieticians (SRDs), chefs and other salad ambassadors.
Dole offers a wide range of packaged salad varieties, including kits, blends and other award-winning products. For recipes or more information about DOLE Salads, visit the website at www.dolesalads.com or Facebook at www.facebook.com/dolesalads.
About DOLE Salads
DOLE Salads is one of the world’s largest lines of packaged salads, with 47 unique salad blends and all-natural salad kits. The line is supported by a comprehensive online library of salad and salad-based recipes, serving suggestions and entertaining tips, as well as various consumer-friendly tools like the on-pack DOLE® Salad Guide, Taste and Texture scales, and “Pairs well with” feature, as well as the Dole Salad Circle online community of salad lovers. For details, go to www.dolesalads.com or the DOLE Salads Facebook page at www.facebook.com/dolesalads.
About Dole Food Company, Inc.
Dole Food Company is one of the world’s largest producers and marketers of high-quality fresh fruit and fresh vegetables, Dole is an industry leader in many of the products it sells, as well as in nutrition education and research. For more information, please visit www.dole.com or http://investors.dole.com.
Source: Dole Food Company, Inc.