Melissa’s puts tropicals front and center with Taste of Vacation program
Warmer days are on the horizon, and shoppers are looking for fresh flavors that feel like an escape. Melissa’s Produce is helping retailers deliver just that with its refreshed Taste of Vacation tropical program. This seasonal push brings vibrant color, variety and light, craveable flavors to produce departments — capturing the mood of spring and the growing interest in globally inspired fruit.
Retailers are taking note. Tropical fruit was Melissa’s most-requested category by buyers in 2024, with 14 SKUs seeing double-digit growth — including lychee (47 percent), cherimoya (36 percent), mangosteen (33 percent) and tamarindo (64 percent). Backed by a year-round, global sourcing strategy, Melissa’s offers consistency and quality that both operators and customers rely on. New this year, the spotlight is on organics, with the addition of organic brown coconut and organic white dragon fruit, both available year-round.
Consumers continue to reach for tropical fruits not only for their flavor, but also for their health appeal. Mango, papaya and guava are a rich source of vitamin C, while tropical salsas, smoothies and globally inspired dishes continue to trend across social media and foodservice menus.
“Tropicals are one of those categories that does it all,” said Robert Schueller, director of public relations at Melissa’s. “They’re visually striking, culturally relevant and loaded with health benefits. This program helps retailers make a strong seasonal statement and keep the momentum going with high-performing SKUs and merchandising support that drives results.”
The program is backed by customizable marketing materials, tropical display bins and data-driven category insights to help retailers build the right assortment for their shoppers.
