After the New Year, many people have goals to eat better. Providing fresh-cut fruits and vegetables is an easy way to help customers reach their new goals. Fresh-cut items are not only convenient, but they also inspire and drive sales because they are visually suggestive and spark inspiration! These prepared items are appealing to health-focused customers, as well as busy parents and customers who are looking to save time with pre-peeled or pre-diced ingredients. From an inventory perspective, adding a fresh-cut item could also be a way to move an item with sluggish sales or has slightly blemished exterior but still good quality inside. For example, beets can be time-consuming to prep and cook. By providing beets cut and ready to cook, you can encourage customers who may be curious but reluctant to purchase whole beets. If adding fresh-cuts to your department sounds like something you’d like to do, here are a few things to take into consideration:

• Check with your health department and find out what regulations you have on cutting and preparing product in your store. You may or may not be able to cut produce in your prep area and may need to borrow some time in your deli or kitchen.
• Make sure to store product in a refrigerated case that is at the proper temperature. Under 41 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal.
• You will need to date any product you prepare and package. Make sure you have a system in place for this. Generally, a price gun is used for tagging with a date.

If preparing your own fresh-cut product is not available, check with your Veritable Vegetable Account Manager. We offer bulk fresh-cut produce items by pre-order and can help you get started with your fresh-cut displays.