Salad kit company Fresh Express is halfway through its “Expression is in Session” promotion campaign for what it calls the “busy back-to-routine season.” The campaign runs from Sept. 10-30 and includes a national sweepstakes where participating customers can win prizes.
Prizes include:
- 1 Grand Prize Winner: $500 gift card, three months of Fresh Express salads (48 free coupons) and a Fresh Express swag bag (apron, oven mitt, pot holder).
- 10 Runner-Up Winners: $50 gift card, one month of Fresh Express salads (16 free coupons) and a Fresh Express swag bag.
To participate, customers need to take a photo of a meal they made with a Fresh Express salad kit that includes the salad’s packaging, fill out a form on the contest’s website by Sept. 30, and submit their photo.
“Families are busier than ever during the back-to-routine season, and we wanted to create something that would truly inspire them at mealtime,” explains Fabian Pereira, Fresh Express vice president of marketing.
He adds the idea behind the campaign was to show that salads don’t have to be repetitive or complicated, and that salad kits can be used for other meals.
“We saw an opportunity to encourage people to have fun with their food, whether that means serving a vibrant salad or putting a creative twist on a weeknight favorite,” he continues. “It is really about giving families the tools to enjoy quick, delicious meals while also expressing themselves in the kitchen.”
Pereira says the team is encouraged by consumer engagement with the campaign so far, describing it as outperforming the company’s summer promotion already in the first week.
“We’re excited about the positive response so far and look forward to continuing to deliver innovation and inspiration to the salad category,” he says.
The Bagged Salad Segment
Pereira notes that, so far, roughly a third of participants in the promotion have been men. That is noteworthy as, according to The Packer’s Fresh Trends survey data, men are less likely to report purchasing bagged salads.
For example, in The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2025 Report, almost half of survey-taking women (49%) reported buying packaged salad mixes (just the greens) compared to 34% of men. Similarly, one third of participating women reported buying salad kits (packaged greens plus toppings and dressings) compared to 23% of men.
Both categories — packaged salad mixes and salad kits — have seen growth lately. In the 2025 report, 9% and 8% of participants reported being newcomers to the categories, respectively.
“The bagged salad category has continued to deliver impressive growth,” Pereira says. “Looking ahead, we expect demand to stay strong, particularly for innovations that bring global flavors, premium toppings and versatility to the table. Chopped kits will remain the growth engine of the category, as consumers look for new ways to enjoy restaurant-inspired meals at home.”
