D’Arrigo California says it has introduced the first naturally compact, nonhybrid romaine heart variety: Andy Boy Baby Romaine Hearts. The introduction of baby romaine hearts expands the company’s romaine portfolio while maintaining its premium hearts program.
The company says this true romaine variety maintains the same structure, crunch and subtle sweetness as traditional romaine hearts, simply in a naturally smaller format.
Compared to traditional romaine hearts, baby romaine hearts feature a smaller core, resulting in more usable product per head and reduced trim loss, driving efficiency from field to fork. With its petite profile and true romaine characteristics, the product allows retailers to diversify their romaine assortment, the company says.
D’Arrigo California says, for retailers, this format supports flexible merchandising while appealing to new and evolving shopper segments. For foodservice operators, the naturally compact size promotes portion control, strong plate presentation and minimal prep waste. For consumers, it minimizes shrink and refrigerator space while still preserving the flavor and performance expected of romaine hearts.
“This is not a replacement for our existing jumbo romaine hearts program, which has been our flagship item for decades,” says John Scherpinski, director of business development. “Our core program continues to set the benchmark for quality and consistency in the category. Baby romaine hearts are designed to complement that foundation, offering additional flexibility, new merchandising opportunities and broader access within the romaine heart segment.”
The company says this variety was developed and trialed across multiple seasons in Salinas, Calif., and Yuma, Ariz., and soft-launched earlier this year with production scaling.
Andy Boy Baby Romaine Hearts are available year-round in multiple pack configurations, including a 2-count, 3-count, 42-count liner and a 7 (2x3) saddlebag.
“Our new bags say it best: ‘Baby Sized, Grown-Up Flavor.’ Consumers get the same crunch and flavor they trust from Andy Boy in a naturally compact size that fits today’s evolving shopping habits,” says Morgan Tinari, director of marketing. “This launch is about growing the romaine business by inspiring new ways to enjoy romaine and connecting with new shoppers.”
