Los Alamitos, CA (May 2022) – Summer is just about here! Hiking by a mountain-rimmed lake– yes! Beachside surfing–yes! Theme parks galore–yes! There’s no need to settle for just one favorite, as this is the summer of AND! So, say YES to carrying both of these tropical favorites—lychees AND rambutans—together this season.
Limited-edition lychees from Mexico are here and this year the crop is looking better than ever with deep-red skin, bright, crisp flesh AND sweet floral notes-YUM! The crop of Rambas® Rambutans has already made it to market, and these juicy tricksters (which are larger than lychees) are rambunctious on the outside AND sweet on the inside, with tart notes that balance the sweetness.
You don’t have to choose one over the other—embrace the summer of Yes…AND! This year carry Rambas® Rambutans alongside lychees for the season. In fact, on average, retailers that carried both lychees and rambutans at the same time sold 70% more dollars per store vs retailers that carried just one of these items. These retailers sold three times more units and saw almost 90% growth across these items over the previous year, compared to retailers that only carried one of the two tropical fruits (who saw a sales growth of only 26% over the previous year).*
“Lychees and rambutans make a powerful statement together and act as a draw for shoppers that may be hunting for something new to try,” says Alex Jackson, director of sales for Frieda’s Branded Produce. “Just like carrying multiple colors of grapes or several kinds of berries, when shoppers see a display of rambutans and lychees, they are more likely to pick up both—which drives the increase in total units per store per week.”
Frieda’s has these spiky fruits in stock and is ready to take your summer tropical orders. Call your account manager today for samples, while they last.
*source: MULO 8 Weeks ending 7-25-21. Comparison across group of retailers that carried both rambutans and lychees during the same weeks vs group of retailers that only carried one or the other.
Los Alamitos, CA (December 2021) – This new year will, without a doubt, open up more doors (quite literally) as the world adjusts to the reality of COVID being a long-term reality. That said, food trends are more important than ever, as food is truly being used for comfort and as a way to explore the world. The tastemakers at Frieda’s—known since 1962 for creating and spotting trends—offer some interesting predictions for the New Year.
“Whether it’s more time for a leisurely breakfast while working from home, or embracing Korean culture, we are seeing people crave sensorial explorations and the desire to make every moment and bite count,” said Cindy Sherman, director of marketing, innovation and insights for Frieda’s Specialty Produce. “Consumers are seeking new experiences, starting with redefining their morning cup of joe, a rainbow of milk colors, and infusing health & wellness into every nook & cranny of their daily life.”
Frieda’s predicts these trends will make big waves this upcoming year:
Superhero Coffee
Move over coffee! Instead of “supersizing,” give yourself a “superpower”. Try infusing dried mushrooms and fresh turmeric into coffee to inject extra nutritional benefits and energy into your standard cup of joe.
Korea Worldwide
From K-Pop to K-dramas to fashion, beauty, and food, Korean culture and flavors remind us that our global world is united. Explore Korea from your kitchen by creating Musaengchae (spicy radish salad) with daikon radish.
Breakfast at Leisure
Working from home allows time to savor the first meal of the day. While your superhero coffee is brewing, cube Fire Dragons® dragon fruit into a smoothie bowl or put oomph into eggs with Stokes Purple sweet potatoes.
Bloom of the ‘Shroom
Mushrooms are starring in food, functional drinks, and fashion. Designers are even making fungi into fabric, and the culinary/beverage worlds are eating up the umami flavors and health benefits by adding dried shiitake or porcinis into sipping broths.
Milk Gets Tubular
Potatoes as milk? Yes! Low in sugar and saturated fat, this creamy liquid is ripe with possibilities. Make potato milk sweet by adding Stokes Purple® sweet potatoes and enjoy creamy, lavender deliciousness.
About Frieda’s Inc.
Frieda’s Specialty Produce has been inspiring new food experiences for friends, families and food lovers everywhere since 1962. From kiwifruit and dragon fruit to Stokes Purple® sweet potatoes and habanero peppers, Frieda’s has introduced more than 200 unique fruits and vegetables to the U.S. marketplace. Founded by produce industry trailblazer Dr. Frieda Rapoport Caplan, subject of the 2015 documentary “Fear No Fruit,” the family company is owned and operated by Frieda’s daughters, Karen Caplan and Jackie Caplan Wiggins, in Orange County, California. Find Frieda’s on Facebook, @FriedasProduce and Friedas.com. Inspire. Taste. Love.
Los Alamitos, CA(August 2021) – The new school year is here but with mask mandates, mask bans, and unpredictability around when vaccines will be available for kids under 12, the only thing certain about this school year is uncertainty. But no matter how the year evolves, one constant involves inspiring your shoppers to make healthy, fun and delicious lunches for their kids.
“With a kindergartner and third-grader at home, we know all about back-to-school. It’s the perfect time to press the reset button on healthy lunches and encourage even your pickiest eaters to try something new,” says Cindy Sherman, mother of two and Frieda’s director of marketing & innovation.
Merchandising new favorites next to old standbys is a great way to shake up the daily routine with fruits that have familiar flavor profiles. Try merchandising Rambas™ rambutans next to grapes, highlighting their grape-like interior. An added bonus? The fun, rambunctious exterior of Rambas™ rambutans will make kids the talk of the lunch table and might even make “playing with their food” acceptable. Remind parents that rambutan packs an abundant amount of Vitamin C, perfect for those looking to boost their immunity.
As another option, create displays with Honey Dragons® dragon fruit next to pineapple, making this yellow-skinned dragon fruit an instant fan favorite for shoppers who are looking for a hint of sweet, honey-like juiciness. Or, cross merchandise dragon fruit with other tropical staples like kiwi and jackfruit. Round out the display with Frieda’s handy recipe card for the lunchbox-worthy Jackfruit, Dragon fruit & Kiwi Salad.
Want to promote an easy way to add an extra serving of veggies? Watermelon radish can bring a pop of color and crunch to kid-friendly lunches. Or, “In our house, Stokes Purple® Sweet Potato Power Bites are an easy lunchbox recipe must-have,” Sherman says. “It’s so delicious, the kids don’t even realize we’ve snuck in another serving of vegetables!”
Looking for more ideas to make your produce department the ultimate lunch-making destination? Call your Frieda’s account manager today for more product ideas and in-store marketing support that will keep your shoppers inspired all school-year long.
About Frieda’s Inc.
Frieda’s Specialty Produce has been inspiring new food experiences for friends, families, and food lovers everywhere since 1962. From kiwifruit and dragon fruit, to Stokes Purple® sweet potatoes and habanero peppers, Frieda’s has introduced more than 200 unique fruits and vegetables to the U.S. marketplace. Founded by produce industry trailblazer Dr. Frieda Rapoport Caplan, subject of the 2015 documentary “Fear No Fruit,” the family company is owned and operated by Frieda’s daughters, Karen Caplan and Jackie Caplan Wiggins, in Orange County, California. Find Frieda’s on Facebook, @FriedasProduce, and Friedas.com. Inspire. Taste. Love.
Los Alamitos, CA (July 2021) – The famous, flavorful, limited-edition Hatch Chile pepper season has started earlier than predicted. Mother Nature herself is known to be a Hatch “Chile Head” and we are attributing the early start of the season to her.
Frieda’s works with certified, authentic growers located in Hatch, New Mexico—yes, there is a certification! Frieda’s received the first few shipments last week, with supply anticipated to pick up after the middle of July. The season is expected to continue through the end of September.
“We can’t wait to get our new Hatch Chile pouches into the hands of consumers,” says Cindy Sherman, Director of Marketing, Innovation & Insights. “When we set out to redesign the pouch, we wanted it to feel friendly and inviting to bring more “Hatchlings” (shoppers new to Hatch Chiles) into the fold.”
The limited-time availability of this special zesty pepper plays into the phenomenon of FOMO— fear of missing out. Research by Eventbrite suggests that when faced with an exclusive item being consumed by their peers, over 60% of millennials will experience FOMO and head to stores to purchase an item. And remember, an entire community of Chile Heads waits all year to buy fresh Hatch Chiles so they can roast them and freeze them for year-round use.
Frieda’s offers Hatch Chiles in a branded 25-pound case, which can be used for side-stack displays, and in 1- and 2-pound retail pouches in mild, medium, and hot heat levels.
Frieda’s works closely with its grower partners to ensure excellent quality and strong supply until the end of the season. Call your Frieda’s account manager today to receive samples and learn how to make a Hatch splash in your store this year!
About Frieda’s Inc.
Frieda’s Specialty Produce has been inspiring new food experiences for friends, families, and food lovers everywhere since 1962. From kiwifruit and dragon fruit, to Stokes Purple® sweet potatoes and habanero peppers, Frieda’s has introduced more than 200 unique fruits and vegetables to the U.S. marketplace. Founded by produce industry trailblazer Dr. Frieda Rapoport Caplan, subject of the 2015 documentary “Fear No Fruit,” the family company is owned and operated by Frieda’s daughters, Karen Caplan and Jackie Caplan Wiggins, in Orange County, California. Find Frieda’s on Facebook, @FriedasProduce, and Friedas.com. Inspire. Taste. Love.
Los Alamitos, CA (June 2021)– Did you know that 38% of shoppers say they are more likely to shop at YOUR store if you carry red dragon fruit, and 62% of shoppers say these bright-fleshed fruits are worth paying more for, compared to traditional white-fleshed dragon fruit1? Straight from volcanic hills of Nicaragua, Frieda’s non-irradiated Fire Dragons™ red dragon fruit is in season and perfect to fire up Fourth of July displays.
To help showcase the inside of the fruit, Frieda’s has created a special ElastiTag® to help buyers and shoppers identify Fire Dragons™, Frieda’s red-fleshed dragon fruit. The tag suggests how easy it is to slice, scoop & enjoy and it helps shoppers understand what the inside tastes like compared to Snow Dragons™ and Honey Dragons®. These tags are sure to capture shoppers’ attention. In fact, a recent survey revealed that 62% of consumers agreed that Frieda’s new dragon fruit branding would catch their eye in the store, and 63% agreed that is visually appealing2.
The striking appearance of the fruit make this a must for attention-grabbing displays. “We recommend merchandising Fire Dragons™ alongside young coconuts (on ice) and blueberries to create a seasonally relevant color break for the July 4th holiday,” says Alex Berkley, director of sales at Frieda’s Specialty Produce. “I plan to use Fire Dragons™, Rambas™ Rambutan and blueberries to make these deliciously fun red, white & blue kabobs for my holiday weekend BBQ.”
Available in 6, 9, 12 and 18 counts, the fruit is expected to be available all summer and through October. Contact your Frieda’s account representative today for merchandising suggestions that drive higher traffic to your produce department and increase dollar ring and overall sales.
About Frieda’s Inc.
Frieda’s Specialty Produce has been inspiring new food experiences for friends, families and food lovers everywhere since 1962. From kiwifruit and dragon fruit to Stokes Purple® sweet potatoes and habanero peppers, Frieda’s has introduced more than 200 unique fruits and vegetables to the U.S. marketplace. Founded by produce industry trailblazer Dr. Frieda Rapoport Caplan, subject of the 2015 documentary “Fear No Fruit,” the family company is owned and operated by Frieda’s daughters, Karen Caplan and Jackie Caplan Wiggins, in Orange County, California. Find Frieda’s on Facebook, @FriedasProduce and Friedas.com. Inspire. Taste. Love.
Sources: 1 April 2019. C+R Research Omnibus Survey. Sample size of 1,000 people. Representative of total U.S. demographics.
2 April 2021. C+R Research Omnibus Survey. Sample size of 1,000 people. Representative of total U.S. demographics.
Los Alamitos, CA (June 2021)– The highly coveted, always anticipated Angelcot® season has begun, and this year we celebrate the labor of love that gives this unique varietal its rosy glow.
Angelcots® are white-fleshed apricots known for having delicate skin and sweet flesh. They have the juiciness of the ripest nectarine with the delicate texture and aroma of an apricot. Angelcots® have the perfect balance of acid and sugar with a buttery, perfume-like sweetness. The exterior of the fruit is characterized by blushing—the telltale sign that you are about to eat an Angelcot® instead of a regular old apricot.
Alex Berkley, director of sales for Frieda’s Specialty Produce, was in the fields in Brentwood, CA, to get her eyes on the crop firsthand. “I had the pleasure of walking the fields with the grower and learned so much,” Berkley says. “The grower is a family-owned, 3rd-generation business just like Frieda’s, and the passion for what they do shines through every single piece of fruit.”
Unique tarping and reflection of the sun helps to form the angelic blushing that makes this apricot so special. However, Frieda’s likes to think that three generations of family love has something to do with it too!
The sweeter flavor profile of this stone fruit makes Angelcot® the perfect variety to introduce to younger shoppers who typically might not buy apricots. Promote them for snacking, baking, salads, or curate your own beautiful cheese board with other seasonal fruits and honey. The crop is limited and mostly pre-booked, so act now and call your Frieda’s account manager today to request samples for next year.
About Frieda’s Inc.
Frieda’s Specialty Produce has been inspiring new food experiences for friends, families and food lovers everywhere since 1962. From kiwifruit and dragon fruit to Stokes Purple® sweet potatoes and habanero peppers, Frieda’s has introduced more than 200 unique fruits and vegetables to the U.S. marketplace. Founded by produce industry trailblazer Dr. Frieda Rapoport Caplan, subject of the 2015 documentary “Fear No Fruit,” the family company is owned and operated by Frieda’s daughters, Karen Caplan and Jackie Caplan Wiggins, in Orange County, California. Find Frieda’s on Facebook, @FriedasProduce and Friedas.com. Inspire. Taste. Love.
Los Alamitos, CA (February 2021)– Whole Foods Market is celebrating “Women Makers Raising the Bar,” highlighting some of the women makers, career changers and industry leaders who inspire and motivate others; and for the second year in a row, Frieda’s will be a focal point in the produce department as a proudly female-founded, female-owned and female-led company.
“We’re happy to spotlight Frieda’s Specialty Produce, a woman-owned and operated produce company,” said Erik Brown, executive leader, procurement at Whole Foods Market. “Frieda’s is a supplier that is all heart, caring deeply about the companies they supply and the shoppers they inspire.”
“We are thrilled to be included in this promotion for the second year in a row! In a male-driven industry, our female-first heritage is what lies at the very heart of our company and sets us apart,” says Megan Klemz, account manager at Frieda’s. “It is truly amazing to work with an organization like Whole Foods Market who has shared values and seeks to inspire their shoppers every day with new food experiences.”
Los Alamitos, CA – (December 2020) – While past food predictions may have highlighted adventurous eating and culinary feats, this year’s pandemic has firmly put the focus back on classic comfort … with a twist. The tastemakers at Frieda’s Specialty Produce, known for spotting food trends with longevity, have some interesting predictions up their sleeves to help retailers make room for an exciting 2021.
“The pandemic has shifted the focus from macro trends such as travel, celebrity chefs and molecular gastronomy, to the realities of everyday living. Quarantining, social distancing, and continued sheltering in-place means that 2021 will be primarily influenced by what’s directly around us, with an emphasis on health, wellness and that feel-good factor we so desperately need,” says Cindy Sherman, director of marketing, insights & innovation at Frieda’s Specialty Produce.
So, what does this mean for shoppers? Here’s what you can expect in 2021:
Bubbles Up!
Whether it’s kombucha or sparkling water with outrageous flavor combinations, effervescence is exploding! These fizzy tonics combine the benefits of prebiotics and probiotics, plant fiber, and functional herbs and botanicals to deliver flavor and fitness. We love mixing aperol with muddled rambutan and a splash of grapefruit juice for a fun, fruity spritz!
Down Home Comfort
Cooking fatigue is real. Bread has been baked, spirits have been distilled and soufflés have risen. Help shoppers hang on a little longer by inspiring them to elevate their at-home game. Incorporate Stokes Purple® sweet potatoes into sweet treats like babka or homemade ice cream.
Rule Reversal
Cereal for dinner and mac & cheese for breakfast? After a year of extremes, the focus is on what’s best for YOU! Bored with the same old Zoom routine? Play a rousing game of spice roulette with shishito peppers, or spice up your charcuterie boards with offbeat options like dragon fruit and rambutan. It’s time to bend the rules.
Hold the Bread…
…and the meat, but not the flavor! Shoppers are being spoiled for choice with alternatives that pair better-for-you ingredients with classic comfort. Hearts of palm pasta, cricket-flour cookies, and so much more. Going paleo? No problem! Try Stokes Purple® sweet potato crostinis, or crispy jicama taco shells filled with meaty—but meatless—pulled jackfruit!
Polychromatic Plates
After a gloomy year, it’s time for bold graphics, pigmented palettes and foods in saturated hues. Paint your plate with beet-dyed noodles, rosy watermelon radish with pesto hummus, or a sprinkle of vibrant blue spirulina powder. Bright and oh-so-satisfying!
Los Alamitos, CA (September 2020) – Stokes Purple® sweet potatoes are back in season and shoppers are ready for them now more than ever. So get ready for holiday demand with shippers only available from Frieda’s.
Research shows that rich-hued purple vegetables are hot sellers. In fact, retailers carrying Frieda’s exclusive Stokes Purple® sweet potatoes are seeing as much as 20% increases in weekly dollar same-store sales on this item vs. prior years’ sales, according to Nielson data1. These purple sweet potatoes are flying off the shelves!
Why you might ask? It’s the nation’s focus on functional foods, which is peaking now. According to the Mayo Clinic, functional foods are nutrient-dense items that promote optimal health while reducing the risk of disease. Examples include items like oatmeal, nuts, berries, and purple sweet potatoes. The Hartman Group research firm is predicting that functional foods will hit a high this year as COVID-concerned, health-oriented shoppers look to empower themselves and power up their diets with antioxidants.
Frieda’s suggests creating superfood displays that combine items like Stokes Purple® sweet potatoes, fresh turmeric, ginger root, and citrus. Tout the nutrition benefits of these fruits & vegetables and turn your produce department into a fresh, functional foods destination.
“Stokes are in high demand this year as we anticipate that holiday cooking will have a functional spin,” says Alex Berkley, Frieda’s director of sales. “Stokes Purple® sweet potatoes are ideal to promote for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and our display shipper is a great way to showcase them and add incremental shelf space. We recommend using signage to suggest that shoppers create healthy holiday favorites like Stokes Purple® sweet potato pie.”
Organic and conventional Stokes Purple® sweet potatoes are available now through May in 15-lb. and 40-lb. cartons. Every potato is labeled to reduce front-end checker error. An organic 12/3-lb. bag option is also available.
Call your Frieda’s account manager today for help in planning your ads now and pre-booking supply.
Source: 1 Nielsen Data xAOC, regional retailer in the NE. 52 weeks ending 7/11/20
About Frieda’s Inc.
Frieda’s Specialty Produce has been inspiring new food experiences for friends, families, and food lovers everywhere since 1962. From kiwifruit and dragon fruit to Stokes Purple® sweet potatoes and habanero peppers, Frieda’s has introduced more than 200 unique fruits and vegetables to the U.S. marketplace. Founded by produce industry trailblazer Dr. Frieda Rapoport Caplan, subject of the 2015 documentary “Fear No Fruit,” the family company is owned and operated by Frieda’s daughters, Karen Caplan and Jackie Caplan Wiggins, in Orange County, California. Find Frieda’s on Facebook, @FriedasProduce, and Friedas.com. Inspire. Taste. Love.
Los Alamitos, CA (July 2020) – The famous, flavorful Hatch chile pepper is back! Frieda’s sources these tasty chiles directly from Hatch, New Mexico—and they are certified authentic. Hatch chile season started in late July and is expected to continue through the end of summer.
While COVID-19 has prevented many retailers from doing their annual Hatch roasting events in-store, you can still bring the hatch experience to life and draw in-store traffic this August.
“We recommend you feature POS and stanchion signs to inform shoppers about the limited-time availability of the peppers, as well as how easy it is to roast them at home,” says Alex Berkley, director of sales at Frieda’s. “We also suggest integrating Hatch peppers into grab-and-go foods like Hatch enchiladas and Hatch mac and cheese to drive hatch excitement in other parts of the store.”
The limited-time availability of this special zesty pepper plays into the phenomenon of FOMO— the fear of missing out. Research by Eventbrite suggests that when faced with an exclusive item being consumed by their peers, over 60 percent of millennials will experience FOMO and make their way to stores to purchase an item. This means increased sales for your store from this highly desirable demographic. And remember, there is an entire community of “chile heads” who wait all year to buy fresh Hatch chiles so they can roast them and freeze them for year-round use.
Frieda’s offers Hatch chiles in a branded 25-pound case, which can be used for side-stack displays, and in 2-pound retail pouches in mild, medium and hot heat levels.
Frieda’s works closely with its grower partners to ensure excellent quality and strong supply until the end of the season. Call your Frieda’s account manager today to receive samples and learn how to make a hatch splash in your store this year!
About Frieda’s Inc.
Frieda’s Specialty Produce has been inspiring new food experiences for friends, families, and food lovers everywhere since 1962. From kiwifruit and dragon fruit, to Stokes Purple® sweet potatoes and habanero peppers, Frieda’s has introduced more than 200 unique fruits and vegetables to the U.S. marketplace. Founded by produce industry trailblazer Dr. Frieda Rapoport Caplan, subject of the 2015 documentary “Fear No Fruit,” the family company is owned and operated by Frieda’s daughters, Karen Caplan and Jackie Caplan Wiggins, in Orange County, California. Find Frieda’s on Facebook, @FriedasProduce, and Friedas.com. Inspire. Taste. Love.
