SALINAS, CA - I love a good bagged salad, partly because I’m lazy, and partly because of the variety of flavors and textures you can get in one convenient package. I, like many consumers, get bored easily, so I’m in a constant search for new and creative ways to jazz up my salads. Taylor Farms has my back with four new salad kits with the power to shake up any tired old salad routine. What I most appreciate is the range of flavors and types of salads. Looking for something light and refreshing? Maybe a more filling salad is your style? Or what about zesty flavors? Taylor Farms has consumers covered on all fronts.

Two years ago, the team launched an initiative to collect qualitative consumer data on everything from flavors to ingredients. As Taylor Farms does, they are always thinking outside the box, even looking into the artisanal drinks aisle and chip arena for taste inspirations. I got the chance to taste-test all four kits and walked away dazzled by the options I would soon be seeing on the shelves in my grocer’s produce aisle.

Tangerine Crunch

This salad is what fresh is all about—a flavor that brightens the palate and transports the eater to a sunny day. The tangerine salad dressing is the real star of the show, though the puffed quinoa and almonds add a crunch that is very welcome to the party. Dried cranberries also lend a touch of fruity sweetness that pairs well with the salad’s base of fresh romaine, savoy cabbage, shredded broccoli, green onion, celery, and parsley. This bright citrus salad kit is perfect for consumers searching for a lighter salad addition to summer meals, and with all the ingredients packaged together, the assembly couldn’t be easier! Tangerine, as a flavor profile, has been growing exponentially in recent years, especially across breakfast and brunch menus. This salad is the perfect clean and fresh addition to tease consumers’ taste buds as they look to wow their guests.

Steakhouse Wedge Chopped Kit

My personal favorite—the Steakhouse Wedge Chopped Salad Kit is for those consumers looking to make a meal out of their salads. This kit provides classic steakhouse flavors of bacon, cheddar, and blue cheese, along with addictive crispy onions and a steakhouse seasoning blend. So, what’s not to love? As we all know, dressing can make or break a salad, and the blue cheese dressing in this kit checks all my boxes. It’s creamy and flavorful without being overbearing. Crunchy romaine forms the core of this salad along with savoy cabbage, carrots, red cabbage, green onions, and shredded broccoli. Consumers looking for classic flavors would be wise to pick up this kit for a satisfying and filling salad option.

Roasted Garlic

I grew up watching cooking shows, and it was all too common for judges to complain about too much garlic—a complaint that had me screaming at my television, “you can never have too much garlic!” Taylor Farms must have tapped into my brain at some point because this salad is a love letter to garlic aficionados. With a creamy roasted garlic dressing that packs a punch, the Roasted Garlic Kit pairs strong flavors with crunchy herb croutons and smoked white cheddar cheese for a flavorful salad full of taste and texture. Fresh and crisp romaine lettuce, red cabbage, shredded broccoli, green onions, celery, and parsley come together to create a salad base packed with nutrition that is a perfect delivery method for delectable toppings. Try suggesting that consumers pair with fish and shrimp to round out the meal. Though not for the faint of heart, this salad kit is a must-try for garlic lovers.

Salsa Ranch

I’ll admit it—I approached this salad kit with hesitation. I’m not into spicy foods and am often on the fence when it comes to salsa (I know, I’m the worst!). But lo and behold, I loved it! The creamy salsa ranch dressing brings flavor but not heat, and reminds me of the taco salads of my youth. And the sales of salsa have been sky-rocketing as Taylor Farms shares with me. The blue and gold tortilla chip strips add a welcome crunch and pop of color to this zesty salad, because really, what goes better with salsa than chips? This salad also contains a nutrient dense list of veggies, including red and green cabbage, romaine, kale, carrots, and green onion. Consider suggesting this as a taco topper to produce department guests or cross-merchandising with avocados! I know I would be drawn in. Consumers seeking something different will gravitate towards this salad kit and, if they’re like me, will soon be begging for a bottled version of the dressing.

As the bagged salad market grows, consumers might start to feel like they’ve seen it all. While many producers are struggling to meet shoppers’ demand for creativity, Taylor Farms will be sittin’ pretty, knowing that its four new salad kits provide customers with everything they need to create a healthy, flavorful, and memorable salad.

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Taylor Farms