How retail dietitians get shoppers to eat their leafy greens

Consumers are really into lettuce — in the modern way.

The leafy green vegetable made its way into 86% of consumers’ carts to create salads and sides, according to the  The Packer's Fresh Trends 2022 report. While bulk lettuce was once the whole story when it came to getting greens on the plate, the growth of boxed and bag lettuces is offering consumers a whole new approach to enjoying fresh greens.

With more Americans choosing to eat at home since the COVID-19 pandemic changed our world, convenient boxed and bagged lettuces offer a tool to bring unique flavors, salad combinations and more to our plates.

There are many reasons why consumers favor these products:

• Home cooks are seeking fast, convenient, better-for-you foods, and boxed lettuce checks all the boxes.
• For many folks, the chopping and washing required for bulk lettuce becomes a barrier to consumption, leading to wasted money and food.
• Fresh, crunchy boxed greens also have an interesting story to tell consumers, as they’re typically made in controlled environments that require less spraying, an attractive highlight to consumers.

The packaged products that win the versatility award among bagged lettuce are the chopped kits, like those made by Fresh Express. In a wide variety of flavors, these are the ultimate side, wrap filler or sandwich topping. Chopped kits offer a salad-meets-coleslaw option for consumers looking to add something unique to their plate.

Learn more from PMG: Salad Mixes

Folks aren’t just trying to cook more at home but are generally trying to improve their diets too. Salad mixes and prewashed lettuce are perfect for a quick packed lunch or work-from-home meal. The ease and accessibility of these products make them easy to enjoy, reducing waste and hopefully increasing consumption among consumers. They also provide the perfect base for leftover protein portions that might not quite be enough on their own but are brought to a new (satisfying) light when paired with a bed of lettuce.

Also, packaged salads offering unique dressings, cheeses, nuts, seeds, dried fruit and lettuce blends allow consumers to try something different without the commitment of purchasing each item individually.

The convenience offered from café-style salad bowls go further, providing consumers with protein as well, so no additional work is necessary to make it a complete meal. It’s almost like ordering a complete dish from a restaurant, but at the grocer.

Anything that drives folks to consume more produce is a good thing. Packaged, prewashed lettuces are perfectly poised to make that happen. With a variety of flavors and the healthy convenience consumers are seeking, they’re making their way into more shopping carts.

Allison J. Stowell is a registered dietitian and certified dietitian nutritionist with a master’s degree, working as a dietitian for Hannaford Supermarkets. Fresh Express Inc. partners with Hannaford to offer free dietitian services in stores, online and across other media platforms. Products are used for nutrition education purposes. Hannaford dietitians communicate their own nutrition expertise, views and advice.