Fresh Fruit is Fast Food.

Consumers continue looking for “better for you food.”   In a new poll taken by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation they found that “nearly 70% of Americans reported eating more fresh fruits and vegetables than five years ago”.  Why? Health and affordability were cited as the most important qualities.

Interestingly the poll noted that,” 23% know “a lot” about where the fresh produce they buy comes from. Forty percent said they knew “a little”, 25% said they didn’t know too much and 11% said they didn’t know anything about their produce.”

Seventy-one percent of respondents said that grocery stores were their most frequent source of fruits and vegetables, while 14% and 7%, respectively, said the same for farmers’ markets and big box supercenters.

The survey said that 64% felt that purchasing regionally/locally grown fruits and vegetables was “very important” to them, while 93% of those surveyed said it was “very important” or “somewhat important” that all Americans had equal access to fresh produce.

Burgerville is one company that integrated regional fresh fruit seasonally into it menu with great results with items like Strawberry Balsamic Chicken Wrap and a plethora of Strawberry refreshments. (burgerville.com) Success does leave clues and better for your focused food is one of them.  Fresh fruit is ready-2-eat and better for you and your customer. Fresh fruit is fast food that is good for your company and customer.

Steven Johnson is Grocerant Guru at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions, with extensive experience as a multi-unit restaurant operator, consultant, brand / product positioning expert and public speaking. Facebook.com/Steven Johnson, Linkedin.com/in/grocerant or twitter.com/grocerant