NEWPORT BEACH, CA - There’s no doubt that consumer shopping habits have shifted over the last several years, and Fresh Solutions Network’s Side Delights® brand aims to stay on the leading edge of consumer trends with a variety of solutions that satisfy various demands.

“You need a well-stocked pantry to get dinner on the table night after night, and during the pandemic, there was an increase in demand for pantry-stable items,” noted Kathleen Triou, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fresh Solutions Network. “Affordable and shelf-stable, Potatoes fit the go-to cooking vibe.”

Since the pandemic in 2020, data shows a sustained surge in consumers opting to cook at home, the brand said in a press release. This surge occurs as consumers embrace the enjoyment of preparing meals and new recipes as they develop their skills in the kitchen.

Fresh Solutions Network also uncovered a few other trends, including:

• Healthy eating habits remain a top priority, as data from the 2024 consumer expenditures study revealed most shoppers now self-identify as “health-conscious,” and one of the most frequently purchased items at a grocery store within the past month is fresh produce
• Consumers want suppliers to put the ‘plant’ back in plant-based, perfectly positioning potatoes as staple
• When choosing a recipe, 76 percent of home cooks stated their top consideration as whether they have the ingredients on hand, and 40 percent listed “pantry-friendly” as a go-to cooking “vibe” for 2024

“With a focus on healthy eating, home cooking, and budget-friendly shopping, pantry stocking is having a moment again,” added Triou. “Side Delights potatoes provide retailers with cost-effective, healthy, and time-saving shopper options for the pantry to the plate.”

Side Delights appeals to each of these demands with bagged and bulk potatoes, potato kits, convenience potatoes, petite potatoes, fresh-cut potatoes, and organic potatoes, perfectly answering the question of how grocers can cater to the growing demand for home-cooking-centric products and solutions.

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