CASTROVILLE, CA - In a world where busy schedules rule our lives, consumers need all the help they can get in the kitchen. Convenience in food prep can make a real difference, especially when it doesn’t come at the expense of flavor or nutrition. Ocean Mist® Farms understands the reality families face and the need for options that deliver on all fronts: fresh, nutritious, flavorful, and easy to prepare.

“With this in mind, the company is focused on developing value-added innovations that bring together the exceptional quality of our premium fresh vegetables with bold and unique flavor options, along with the promise of easy prep,” Jeff Hutterer, Director Value-Added Sales, began telling me. “Two such innovations are the newly developed Roastables and Heartichokes.”

Roastables prep-ready kits feature washed-and-trimmed vegetables, including halved Brussels sprouts, broccoli florets, and cauliflower florets—each paired with a chef-crafted seasoning packet and a crispy topping for added texture. Ready in just 15–20 minutes, they offer a simple path to a fresh, flavorful dish. The line now includes seven different SKUs, each with its own seasoning developed especially to complement the vegetables.

Heartichokes—Ocean Mist Farms’ latest, and first-to-market, innovation—feature trimmed and quartered tender artichokes, ready to use right out of the package.

“While artichokes can feel intimidating to some consumers, and prep time often puts them out of reach for weeknight meals, Heartichokes remove those barriers entirely,” Lori Bigras, Communications Manager, pointed out. “Available in two chef-crafted flavors—Lemon Butter and Savory Parm—along with an Unseasoned option for those who prefer to use their own signature spices, the line makes it simple to create a quick, flavorful side or serve as a versatile base for a wide range of dishes.”

These latest innovations from Ocean Mist take care of much of the prep work required to bring these dishes to life, delivering meaningful value for today’s time-pressed consumers. But convenience only goes so far; flavor and freshness have to deliver for the win. That’s where Ocean Mist Farms stands apart, with a commitment to providing both, without compromise.

“Since launching the first phase of our Roastables line at the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show in 2024, the feedback has been consistent: Consumers love the variety of flavors and, of course, the quick and easy preparation necessary with our new innovations. But what stands out most is what families are discovering at the dinner table. Kids are actually enjoying vegetables,” Jeff continued. “We’ve also heard several comments along the lines of ‘My husband and I can’t believe our kids actually love Brussels sprouts!’”

Value-added, convenience-driven foods—especially those that are fresh, healthful, and minimally processed—are more than just on trend; they’re here to stay. That’s why Ocean Mist remains focused on developing products that showcase its premium fresh vegetables while delivering flavor profiles that appeal to every palate at the table.

For a deep dive on more produce innovations, keep coming back to ANUK.