Side Delights positions potatoes for summer grilling, fitness trends
As grilling season heats up, Side Delights of Newport Beach, Calif., predicts potatoes will play a key role in celebrations and everyday meals.
Pointing to The State of the Barbecue Industry study in a news release, Side Delights noted that holidays are big for barbecue, with 68% of grill owners planning to grill on the Fourth of July, followed by Memorial Day and Labor Day (56% each), and Father’s Day (42%). While shoppers are stocking up for these cooking celebrations, the season continues with 75% of grill owners stating that they still intend to grill in the winter.
“Vegetables such potatoes are ideal for the grill because they are filling, flavorful, and can be used as an entrée, a side dish, or incorporated into appetizers or salads,” Kathleen Triou, president and CEO of Fresh Solutions Network, said in a news release. “Grilling allows the nutrients and flavors to come through, and Side Delights potatoes can be enjoyed on their own or prepared in many delicious ways.”
Grilling culture has expanded for 2022, Side Delights said. From large events to healthy weeknight meals, consumers are grilling more vegetables and other untraditional items beyond meat, and giving them center stage.
“Grilling and potatoes go hand-in-hand. Potatoes are such a versatile vegetable that the grill pulls even more flavor out of them due to their starchy nature,” Dustin Green, head grill master at Weber Grill, said. “Whether the potato is cut up, tossed with oil and seasoned, or grilled whole, one can’t go wrong.”
For consumers looking for creative potato grilling ideas, the Side Delights recipe site includes easy-to-prepare dishes such as Grilled Red Potato Skewers and Grilled Yellow Potato Planks.
Side Delights also offers a line of Grillables convenience potatoes specifically for the grill. The line includes triple-washed russet or sweet potatoes wrapped in foil and ready to toss on the grill.
Side Delights talks the changing perception of carbohydrates
While for decades, diet trends have driven consumers to seek food choices typically low in fat, sugar, calories or carbohydrates, the COVID-19 pandemic created a heightened awareness of the importance of immune defense, expanding the focus of diet on appearance to overall personal well-being, including physical and mental health, Side Delight said in a news release.
The shift in focus could boost potato consumption.
“Fitness experts have always recognized the nutritional benefits of potatoes as part of a healthy diet and to enhance physical performance,” said Triou, who noted that potatoes were included in the Olympian Menu for athletes at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea as part of a performance-enhancing meal due to their nutritional value and quality carbohydrate content.
“Carbs have a bad reputation, but they are the body’s main source of energy and are one of the three macronutrients that the body requires daily,” Triou added. “Side Delights are a great source of healthy carbohydrates and Vitamin C, potassium and fiber.”
In response to misinformation about potatoes containing “bad” carbohydrates,” Potatoes USA released an April 13 industry update, Nutrition Experts Help Clarify Carb Confusion, to clarify misinformation about carbohydrates for consumers and health professionals.
A Carbohydrate Food Quality Score (CFQS) was developed to define a food’s carbohydrate quality, including nutrients such as sodium and potassium, to determine food’s overall nutritional benefits and align with respected recommendations such as the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The researchers are expected to release a follow-up paper later this year, demonstrating how the scoring system can be applied to various eating patterns and reduce consumer confusion about carbohydrates.
Fresh Solutions Network is the exclusive supplier of Side Delights potatoes and onions. The network is a group of family-owned potato and onion growers and shippers, the company said.