GUADALUPE, CA – The single-serve category continues to grow, as consumers look for novel flavors, greater convenience, and cleaner labels. And Apio is meeting the challenge with its new line of Salad Shake Ups™ salad bowls.

“Our research tells us that these delicious and convenient single-serve salad bowls are just what consumers want,” said Anne Byerly, Vice President of Marketing. “The growing segment of health-focused shoppers want more than products that are simply lower in calories—they also need clean label, nutrient-dense ingredients, and restaurant-quality taste. Salad Shake Ups meet those needs, and that’s why we think they’ll bring new consumers to the category and help retailers boost sales and profits in the total single-serve category.”

According to a company press release, the salad bowls, released in the U.S and Canada under the Eat Smart® brand, are 100% clean label with no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Each salad comes in a patented package with an interior tray that doubles as a lockable lid—making for a convenient and easy way to mix in toppings and dressing.

The new line of salads features three offerings, including:

Avocado Ranch

This single-serve salad bowl is a crunchy blend of red cabbage, Savoy cabbage, shredded cauliflower stalk, curly kale, shredded carrots, freeze dried corn, shredded cheddar cheese, roasted sunflower seed kernels, crispy onion pieces, dried currants, naturally flavored bacon bean flakes, and a creamy avocado ranch dressing that complements the ingredients.

Tropical Lime

With a tasty blend of vegetables and dried fruits—green cabbage, broccoli stalk, Napa cabbage, curly kale, and Italian kale along with dried pineapple, dried mango, and dried papaya—this salad bowl is a wholesome treat. White sesame seeds, crispy quinoa, roasted red quinoa, and thin crunchy noodles with a creamy coconut lime chili dressing complete the kit to deliver a mouth-watering flavor experience.

Raspberry Acai

This salad bowl blends broccoli stalk, green cabbage, curly kale, radicchio, dried cranberries, and dried blueberries with sliced toasted almonds and three nutritious varieties of seeds (hemp, flax, and chia)—all topped with a tangy raspberry acai dressing.

“Every Salad Shake Ups salad bowl contains at least 10 ingredients,” said Byerly, “with distinctive and colorful combinations of vegetables, dried fruits, and diverse sources of plant protein that create satisfying flavors and textures.”

Byerly also noted the company’s innovative Snap-and-Shake lid—a patented packaging design that has turned heads and earned accolades already this year.

“We were delighted to be awarded the inaugural packaging Innovation award at CPMA on May 10, 2017,” added Byerly. “This newly created award recognizes excellence in packaging designed to answer consumer needs and to maximize the sales of fresh produce. Each bowl has a unique leaf-shaped, film-sealed top. When consumers pull back the top, they find a tray with packets of toppings and a fork. They remove the tray to reveal the salad blend, then pour the toppings and the dressing onto the vegetables. Next, they flip over the tray, snap it onto the bowl, shake to mix the ingredients, and then unsnap the lid and eat the salad with the fork. Easy mixing, and no mess–it couldn’t be more convenient!”

Byerly added that Salad Shake Ups—with 100% clean ingredients—is targeted toward a growing number of health-conscious consumers. According to the company’s press release, estimated North American sales of clean label products in 2015 were $62 billion, and 62% of consumers globally say they try to avoid artificial preservatives, flavors, and colors in their food.

“Eat Smart clean label salad bowls provide consumers with healthy options for achieving their personal wellness goals,” said Byerly. “Our new Salad Shake Ups, which promise to invigorate the already popular single-serve category, are the latest examples of Apio’s commitment to consumers and retailers.”

The company’s 5 oz Salad Shake Ups will be available throughout the U.S. and Canada, with a suggested retail price of $3.99 in the U.S. and $4.99 in Canada.

Apio