LOS ALAMITOS, CA – While the industry may be well attuned to the healthy and convenient-minded interest of millennial consumers, there’s a new penchant to the demographic that can inspire increased sales this season. As Frieda’s Specialty Produce reports, millennials are looking to the produce department for new grilling favorites. 

“According to a 2015 Mintel survey, millennials want meals to be social, healthy, and delicious. And grilling satisfies all of that,” said Karen Caplan, President and CEO. “It’s all of their favorite activities rolled into one—healthy cooking, experimenting with food, and sharing the experience in real life as well as online.”

The Institute of Food Technologists stated in its April 2017 report that three-quarters of U.S. contain a grill, with millennials being the far most likely to grill, according to a press release. As the consumer group fires up their grills this summer, there’s no better place than the produce aisle to look for tasty grilled salads, vegetable-centric main courses, charred fruit sangria, and more. 

The Mintel survey, Frieda’s noted, also said that more Americans in general are pairing grilled meats with grilled fruits and vegetables over stove-top or oven-baked side dishes, such as baked beans or potatoes. 

“Grilled vegetables are becoming the norm, but grilled fruits, especially citrus, are trending with millennials and gaining popularity,” said Caplan. “Create signage to encourage shoppers to try grilling citrus and other tropical fruits.” 

Frieda’s suggests retailers entice their shoppers to grill something extraordinary this season, such as the following:

• Dragon fruit
• Cape gooseberries
• Rambutan
• Specialty citrus
• Pink lemons
• Seedless lemons
• Cara Cara oranges
• Blood oranges

Marinades and glazes can get an extra boost this summer from exotic aromatics like turmeric, ginger, and lemongrass. Not to forget grilled summer favorites such as Shanghai bok choy, baby pineapples, watermelon radishes, and pepper varieties from shishito and mini sweet, to serrano and habanero. 

Contact your Frieda’s account managers today for new opportunities to cover shoppers’ grills.

Frieda's Specialty Produce