TrendsSalad: fresh & healthy with sophisticated flavor

Natural artisan cheese added to salad or an entree satisfies consumers’ desire for products with more flavor and higher quality as they become more aware than ever that good nutrition is linked to their well-being.

This 21st century good-eating renaissance finds consumers shopping the perimeter of grocery stores in the ‘fresh’ aisles for produce, bakery, deli, dairy, seafood and meats.  Artisan cheeses are part of this fresh movement as a healthful awareness drives consumers’ quest for dietary balance.

• The notion of ‘balance’ is deepening among consumers as a dominant health & wellness ideology.
• More than half of adults (51%) like the trend toward healthier eating.
• Sixty percent of consumers ranked taste or freshness as the most important factor when buying food at the grocery store.
• Consumers equate locally grown food with freshness and freshness with higher quality. The notion of ‘fresh’ equals healthfulness.
• Fresh also means more nutritious, less processed foods that are more wholesome.
• Retail sales of fresh foods total $230 billion.

Consumers rely on claims of authenticity to differentiate between products — the more credible these claims; the greater justification producers will have for price premiums. Leading the way in this trend towards experiencing authenticity are artisan cheeses.

• Artisan cheeses tend to be handcrafted in small batches by skilled cheesemakers — the cheese is aged naturally, developing unique flavor profiles.
  
• Artisan cheese is the fastest growing segment of the multibillion dollar cheese market. (+15% growth per year)
  
• Consumers feel natural cheese, such as artisan cheese, can be eaten as part of a healthy diet plan.

Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption is another part of the American dietary shift toward healthier eating. All year long, more and more consumers are having salad for lunch or dinner with added protein for a satisfying meal.

• Convenience still rules. Packaged salads lead produce department sales.
• Nearly three-quarters of American households (73%) serve salads as a regular part of their meals.
• More than half of adults ordered salads for lunch at full-service restaurants in the past six months.

Sargento recently launched a line of Artisan Blends at retail that combine high quality Sargento specialty cheese with flavorful, handcrafted artisan cheese for an artistic blend that makes meals deliciously memorable. When added to salads, artisan cheeses increase the sensual pleasure of the entrée, imparting a range of flavors, textures and aromas. Artisan cheese not only satisfies the senses, it also boosts the protein in salads, which sustains energy and provides satiety.

Contact your Sargento Food Ingredients representative for more info on these and all of our cheese and culinary products at 1-800-893-7411 or create your own at the Sargento Idea Center.