Earthbound’s launch responds to growing culinary and food media attention to hardy greens and their nutritional benefits, said Samantha Cabaluna, director of communication.
“Sales of organic cooking greens are skyrocketing at 64.4% versus the previous year,” she said, citing an A.C. Nielsen report from November.
Power Greens are pre-washed and ready to add to a salad or stir-fry.
Elsewhere in the vegetable category, Earthbound Farm says demand is spiking for organic romaine hearts, heirloom lettuces and broccolette.
“We are increasing acreage for items where we’re seeing strong and growing consumer demand,” Cabaluna said.
“Overall, we’re anticipating strong growth in 2012 and we expect our organic vegetables to be a part of that.”
Nunes starts organic asparagus
The Nunes Co. began its seasonal organic asparagus deal in Gonzales, Calif., in mid-February. Production there will run into early July, said Doug Classen, sales manager for the Salinas,
Calif.-based grower-shipper.
The Nunes Co. has been adding commodities to its organic program over the past few years. They source organics across the West, from Yuma, Ariz., and Mexico to Oxnard and the Salinas Valley in California.
“Asparagus has been a very strong commodity among organic consumers,” Classen said. “It’s the same acreage as last year in Gonzales. We’re looking to expand that in the future. And we’re looking forward to adding green onions and starting those as soon as possible.”
In mid-February, Nunes had ample supplies of all conventionally grown commodities, he said. That was true of organic as well, with one exception.
“Organic celery over the past few weeks and in the next couple months should be on the tight side for volumes,” Classen said. “That’s a seasonal thing for organic celery.”
Nunes’ other organic offerings include iceberg lettuce, romaine, red and green leaf lettuces, butter lettuce, cauliflower and broccoli.
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