San Francisco, CA – A major consumer study fielded by the United States Potato Board last fall determined that the number one barrier to consuming potatoes more often at home was that people craved more variety in their meals. And the USPB’s annual Attitudes & Usage study found that 22% of their target shoppers agreed that they would be motivated to purchase more fresh potatoes if they were offered a greater variety, ranking third among all responses.
Innovation is prevalent up and down every aisle of the grocery store, and clearly consumers are seeking the same in the fresh potato section. In sharp contrast to much of the potato industry, however, Fresh Solutions Network has made a commitment to seizing this opportunity and running with it.
Recent months have seen Fresh Solutions Network introducing Side Delights® Roastables, a unique oven-ready tray pack of petite potatoes with gourmet seasoning salts; Side Delights® Gourmet Petites, the most complete selection in the fast-growing “small potato” segment; and A Cut Above® potatoes, special varieties with a higher solid content to produce the ultimate in fresh-cut restaurant-style fries. But according to Kathleen Triou, President and CEO of Fresh Solutions Network, this has only been the warm-up act.
“Fresh Solutions Network recently conducted a very successful innovation concepting workshop with a product development agency to develop a roadmap of new products extending out for the next three years or longer,” stated Triou. “We’re focusing on value-added and convenience-oriented solutions, because we know that is what potato shoppers are asking for. And we especially see opportunities in the areas of grab-and-go
snacks, bold world flavors, packages for larger format retailers and products featuring high-tech packaging.”
“Fresh Solutions Network is uniquely positioned to be able to bring innovative products to market that create added sales for retailers and foodservice operators” Triou explained. “As a national network of potato and onion growers & shippers who personally own the land, work the soil, and pack and ship the product, our partners have a vested interest in bringing new products to market that expand category sales. And we have the resources necessary to invest in product development, new packaging capabilities and marketing support that are at the core of successful new product innovation.”
A key philosophy that sets Fresh Solutions Network apart from their competitors is the willingness to partner with retailers on new product innovation. “We want our retail and foodservice customers to see us as business-building partners rather than simply vendors. To that end, we’re eager to share our new product concepts with retailers and discuss how we can work together on making the product a success for them, whether it lives under the retailer’s brand, our own Side Delights® brand or a combination of the two” said Triou.
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About Fresh Solutions Network, LLC: Fresh Solutions Network is a group of family-owned growers & shippers who choose to work together to make the potato and onion industry better for everyone. FSN helps potato and onion buyers grow their categories, maximize category investment, and increase sales. We deliver competitive 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, Inc. (Lake Wales, FL).
Source: Fresh Solutions Network, LLC