Fill Displays for Fall Feasting!
It’s that time of year where social calendars are brimming with plans for cozy meals with loved ones. Though we may not return to “normal” gatherings, a few things ring true for this season of eating that should inform your merchandising plans: the staples will remain top sellers, eaters will continue to show interest in experimenting with new-to-them varieties, and there are plenty of opportunities to capitalize on seasonal items to help drive sales on year-round favorites, too.
Use this list of must-haves to help make eaters’ meals memorable!
Alliums
The flavorful foundation of nearly every savory dish imaginable. Keep staples like yellow, white and sweet onions in steady supply, both in bulk and bags. More unique varieties like Cipollini will receive their seasonal time in the spotlight, and leeks and shallots will experience extra demand, too. Garlic, a total no-brainer! Be ready with plenty!
Apples
Nothing entices like a well-merchandised apple run! Pies are on people’s minds and that’s great motivation to bring in plenty of organic Granny Smith. Curious eaters are in for a treat as delicious varieties with less-familiar names Ambrosia, Arkansas Black, Autumn Glory, Cosmic Crisp, Envy, Lady Alice, Kanzi, Kiku, Opal and Winesap entice and delight alongside the classics. Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji and Pink Lady never disappoint, so be sure there’s an apple for every shoppers’ needs!
Avocados
While there’s plenty of festive feasting this time of year, don’t forget about game day gatherings and morning-after brunches. Lush organic avocado displays complement traditional holiday sets and get shoppers thinking about snacking and sandwiches, too!
Berries
Seasonal meals are incomplete without organic cranberries and don’t forget about the rest of the category. Plan to have plenty of blackberries, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries on hand. Category sales will remain strong by allowing plenty of room in your merchandising plan for shoppers looking for healthy snacks and special treats for bountiful breakfasts.
Celery
This versatile staple is used in literally everything. Need we say more?
Chicories
With so much variety in this category, shoppers have endless options for grilling, braising and salad making. Bring in a variety of radicchios like Castelfranco and Treviso along with chicories like Escarole and Frisee. Belgian Endive can be as fancy or casual as eaters want it to be! A vehicle for dips or the star of an elevated main meal, these compact heads look stunning in displays, too!
Citrus
Bring in the sunshine! Organic Navel oranges and Satsuma mandarins are ready for snacking, juicing, baking and even tablescaping. You can’t shake a cocktail without a little acid, so don’t forget limes, lemons and Meyer lemons, too. Shoppers looking to boost their immune systems during this season of gathering will appreciate the extra vitamin C!
Dried Fruits
Baking and snacking abound this time of year! Help shoppers complete their cheeseboards and bedeck their cakes with Made in Nature’s line of dried fruits: cranberries, apples, apricots, figs and more. Don’t forget the dates! Stuffed and baked dates are the faux-fancy appetizer that any host can whip together in a flash!
Fresh Herbs
Don’t be caught short on traditional favorites like organic sage, rosemary and thyme. Be sure to bring in Poultry Mix packs for a convenient grab-and-go blend. Dill and basil will also fly this time of year.
Mushrooms
Think beyond Crimini, Portobello and White to include Shiitake, Maitake and wildcrafted Chanterelle! The Mycopia line of organic specialty mushrooms includes Chef’s Sampler packages for shoppers that love variety, and all the vegans in the house will appreciate the meatiness of their Trumpet Royale mushrooms.
Nuts
If you’re not already bringing in the Braga line of packaged nuts, your customers are missing out! These easy-to-grab-and-go nuts represent hefty ring-throughs at the register and are great for gifting, too. Or, go package-free with Nuts in Shell: filberts, walnuts and chestnuts!
Ornamental Items
Decorative gourds in an array of colors and shapes and gorgeous ears of decorative corn are ready to grace festive tables, mantels and stoops.
Parsley
A special shout-out for organic parsley. This is its time to shine! Both Curly and Italian experience increased sales this time of year as shoppers haul out tried-and-true family favorites and new recipes, too.
Pears
From organic Bartlett and Comice to Seckel and Star Krimson, there’s plenty of pears to pick. Lure shoppers with the promise of fragrant baked pears, slow-cooked butters and salads studded with slices of these delectable fruits!
Pie Pumpkins
These cheery orange pumpkins will get shoppers in the spirit. Perfect for pies and seasonal decor, too!
Potatoes
If there were ever a time to go big on organic Russet and yellow for mashing, now is it! Don’t forget about specialty fingerlings, perfect for easy roasts and crispy breakfast hash.
Roots
Carrots for cooking and fresh dipping, and radishes for veggie plates. Celeriac for a flavorful addition to mashed potatoes and ginger for pies. Parsnips, sunchokes, turnips and rutabagas for root veggie roasts, oh my!
Seasonal Fruits
These once-a-year treats have a limited window of availability so capture sales while you can! Persimmon, quince and pomegranate are lovely to look at and eat, too. Try offering shoppers packaged pomegranate arils for extra convenience.
Seedless Table Grapes
Big displays mean increased sales. Bring in organic green, black and red grapes for snacking, charcuterie plates and fresh salads.
Side Dish Vegetables
Sales on artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, baby broccoli, Brussels sprouts, green beans, cauliflower and fennel will all surge in the coming weeks. Talk to your Account Rep about which items are plentiful and build your merchandising plan around them. On tight items, keep displays smaller to ensure product is available for those shoppers who truly have it on their list!
Winter Squash
Baked, stuffed, roasted, blended into soup and even into pies, now’s the time to bring in heaps of organic winter squash! From favorites like Butternut and Acorn to incredible options like Black Futsu and Blue Ballet, the eating is good!
Yams
Sweet, luscious organic yams, packed full of flavor and beta carotene, too! Capture seasonal sales now while this tasty treat is on eaters’ minds!