Los Angeles-based Melissa’s World Variety Produce kicked off the summer season by bringing back its popular Camping Essentials product line.
The COVID-19 pandemic prompted families to take to the road rather than the sky, said Robert Schueller, director of public relations. Sales and rentals of recreational vehicles took off, as did that of all the equipment needed for camping, backpacking and hiking.
The pandemic may be on the wane, but flying continues to be a challenge and many consumers still prefer to spend their summer vacations in tents, RVs or cabins.
Recognizing the new trend, Melissa’s introduced a line of dozens of gourmet products that are ideal for camping and a cut or two above the traditional hot dogs and marshmallows over an open fire, Schueller said.
“It’s about spending less time meal prepping and more time exploring the great outdoors,” he said.
The line includes several kinds of Melissa’s Clean Snax, steamed lentils, beets, fava beans, artichoke hearts and even a tamale kit.
The program was tested last summer and will be promoted again this year through Labor Day.
“It’s a lot of portable items that mostly are shelf stable and add an extra amount of gourmet, even when you’re camping,” Schueller said.
The program has been adopted by more than 500 supermarkets, he said, and is supported by a complete signage package.
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Other specialty and organic fruits and vegetables are summertime favorites as well, he said.
The company’s bestsellers during this time of year include several kinds of potatoes, ginger, baby bok choy, dragon fruit and several varieties of mangoes, grapes, papayas and watermelons. Organic favorites include cucumbers, bell peppers, grapes and plum bites.
Despite rampant inflation, Melissa’s has not seen a drop in sales of specialty or organic produce, Schueller said.
“Customers have been loyal to us and buy our gourmet ingredients,” he said. “We’re not seeing inflation become a problem.”
Schueller did say that California fruit, such as peaches, nectarines, plums and cherries, have had a late start because of the winter-spring rains and unseasonable cold weather that was continuing into June.
Apricots that usually begin harvest in late April didn’t get started until late May, he said.
“Because everything was delayed four to five weeks, we’re going to have a prolonged season.”
The California summer fruit season likely will continue through September, he said.
