MONTEREY, Calif. – Apparently, Dole packaged salad enthusiasts know best. The Spinach Cherry Almond Bleu All Natural DOLE Salad Kit they selected during focus groups and other research to be launched this year as one of Dole’s three new packaged salad products for 2011 has been designated Health Magazine’s 2011 Healthy Food Awards winner for Best Salad Kit.
Introduced in April 2011, Spinach Cherry Almond Bleu is the only packaged salad kit to receive a 2011 Healthy Food Award, considered one of the industry’s most prestigious new-product honors. It is one of 29 new 2011 food products selected by Health Magazine from among hundreds of breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks and beverages judged for taste, convenience and nutrition.
The Spinach Cherry Almond Bleu All Natural DOLE Salad Kit from Dole Fresh Vegetables adds dried cherries, sliced almonds, bleu cheese crumbles and Dole’s Own White Balsamic Vinaigrette™ to a base of tender baby spinach. It is part of Dole’s ongoing commitment to all-natural salad kits, the industry’s first nationally distributed salad kit line to combine farm-fresh lettuces and vegetables with all-natural toppings and salad dressings.
Dole’s existing salad kits were reformulated into all-natural earlier last year as a response to consumer research showing that many salad consumers, while recognizing the healthy, flavorful appeal of packaged salads, have reservations about the wholesomeness of certain salad kit ingredients, especially the dressings and toppings. To qualify as all natural, the ingredients in All Natural DOLE® Salad Kits contain no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
“Our new Spinach Cherry Almond Bleu kit was created as a deliciously easy way for our consumers to incorporate the many health benefits of spinach into their diets,” said Ronda Reed, vice president of marketing for Dole Fresh Vegetables. “This latest honor from Health Magazine is more proof of its increasing popularity with salad and health fans alike.”
According to Michelle Gonsalves, Dole Fresh Vegetables’ director of new products, spinach-based blends and kits are among the fastest-growing salad varieties thanks to their superior taste, texture and nutrient profiles. She says that packaged spinach salads are also a highly exclusive growth segment – meaning that a large percentage of spinach consumers come into the category only to buy spinach.
The 8.4-ounce Spinach Cherry Almond Bleu All Natural DOLE Salad Kit is available at retailers nationwide for the suggested retail price of $3.99.
For more information on DOLE Salads, including recipes, serving suggestions and nutritional information, go to www.dole.com/salads or www.facebook/dolesaladguide.
About Dole Foods
Dole, with 2010 net revenues of $6.9 billion, is the world’s largest producer and marketer of high-quality fresh fruit and fresh vegetables, and is the leading producer of organic bananas. Dole markets a growing line of packaged and frozen fruit and is a produce industry leader in nutrition education and research.
About Health Magazine
Health (www.Health.com) is America’s most trusted health-and-wellness magazine, offering women relatable, powerful, and current information. Our readers love their healthy, fabulous lives and look to Health for fresh and fun ways to enjoy themselves every single day. The magazine is published 10 times a year by the Time Inc. Lifestyle Group, a division of Time Inc., the largest magazine media company in the U.S. In print and online, the Health franchise reaches a total audience of nearly 18 million* readers and users each month.
*Sources: Spring 2011 MRI, June 2011 comScore
Source: Dole Foods