Consumer health and nutrition awareness has been responsible for much of the fresh fruit and vegetables growth over the past years. Now produce has increased even more with one of the fastest growing category trends to hit our industry — organic produce.
Regardless of the impressive growth of organic produce, many supermarkets still do a soft job of merchandising the category. There are usually 12 to 15 items hidden in the darkest and loneliest location of the produce department with a soiled and tattered organic sign barely hanging at the top of the case.
Yet other supermarkets have committed to an organic program by displaying it like they mean to sell it. These merchants carry up to 100 or more items and even advertise three or four every week in their advertising flyer.
A big boost in produce growth over the past couple of decades, and especially today, is primarily due to the improved quality of organic fruits and vegetables in general. Overall, organic produce is superb in every way.
There are organic growers that are really doing a fantastic job. They have upgraded the quality of produce with hard work, patience, technology and especially by being good listeners to retailers and consumers.
Growers have committed much to the exquisite quality of organic produce we now have in the marketplace.
Premium organic quality is the dramatic driving mechanism that increases the sales volume of produce. With quality comes success. That’s why you should want people to buy their organic produce from you.
Ron Pelger is a produce industry adviser and industry writer. He can be contacted at 775-843-2394 or by e-mail at [email protected].