Bringing dinner back to the family table

As reported by The Packer's Fresh Trends 2018, consumers are still looking for more flavors and combinations when it comes to bagged salads. According to their report, 50% of customers surveyed bought bagged salads in the past 12 months. In the 2017 United Fresh Produce Association Year in Review, complete salad kits grew to 34.1% of total salad dollar sales. This is indeed great news for the fresh produce industry. Consumer interest in healthy convenience isn't waning, they are looking for even more. The continued growth in this market is only limited to processor imaginations, and by looking at the size and variety in the fresh cut produce segment of supermarkets today, imagination is not lacking. Mixing it up by adding fruit, nuts, grains, cheese and berries has been a great catalyst to the growth of the fresh salad market. In addition to the variety of mixed produce offerings, another trend increasing sales is in the way the fresh produce is processed. Veggies noodles hit the market, and shortly thereafter riced veggies were introduced. This again is expanding the fresh produce market by offering fresh vegetables as a replacement for starchy items. This is not to say the potato is going by the wayside. Potatoes can be found in packs of different color varieties and microwavable ready packages and are still as popular as ever. With this enormously vast variety available to consumers, having the ability to make a home-made meal with the time constraints placed on people today, is comforting and brings the family dinner back to the table again. About AGRICOAT NATURESEALAGRICOAT NATURESEAL Ltd., manufactures specialty products for processors, grocery / detail, and foodservice, counting also with Kosher certified formulations. Natureseal is a line of products that keep cut produce fresh. All the products are allergen and sulfite-free. Agricoat Natureseal Ltd. is part of the Mantrose-Bradshaw-Zinsser Group (MBZ). Mantrose (UK) is the British based subsidiary of the American MBZ Group. MBZ have over 100 years of experience in formulating natural, edible coatings and specialty films for a variety of aesthetic and functional benefits for fruits, nuts, confectionary, baked goods, and other food products. Freshseel, specialty coatings for the post-harvest protection of melons. Semperfresh, sucrose ester based fruit coating for the postharvest protection of fruits and vegetables during packing, storage, shipping, and marketing. Specialty coatings for the postharvest protection of melons, fruit and vegetables. In addition, Natureseal FS has been added to this range of products as a result of the demand of processors after a chlorine free product for washing the produce before cutting. FS is a blend of different acids that could be used to substitute traditional chlorine wash while processing fruit and vegetables. Its sulfite-free (GRAS) ingredients continue to be recognized for meeting the industry’s highest standards for quality, performance, consistency and functionality. Agricoat has made a long term commitment to superior research and development, quality control and good manufacturing practices.