Dive Brief:
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"Hand Picked, Discovered by Earth Fare" is a specially chosen line of global food products recently debuted by North Carolina-based Earth Fare, according to The Shelby Report.
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The globally influenced line includes frozen vegetarian entrées imported from Thailand; hand-topped, wood-fired pizzas from Italy; and an exclusive brie cheese made by a Vermont creamery. The lineup was announced in the second edition of the company's magazine, The Clean Plate.
- “Shoppers shouldn’t have to sacrifice more adventurous food choices in order to make the best choices for their health,” Frank Scorpiniti, president and CEO, said in a release. “Our Handpicked product line is free of artificial ingredients and harmful additives, and — like all of our private label food products — is sourced using non-genetically modified ingredients. The result is unique, flavorful and authentically sourced products that you can feel good about feeding to your family.”
Dive Insight:
Earth Fare, founded in 1975, has a stringent food philosophy: none of its products contain added hormones, antibiotics, high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, artificial preservatives, artificial or trans fats, bleached or bromated flour, or artificial colors or flavors.
Globally sourcing this new lineup of products will likely test that pledge, but the added offerings could also tap into consumers' interest in ethnic flavors and new culinary experiences. Consumers are increasingly interested in authentic international food that also carries a health halo. This line hits both of those targets.
Changing demographics are behind some of the interest in international food, particularly as the purchasing power of millennials increases and companies target growing Asian and Hispanic populations.
Even if this doesn't end up being a leading revenue source for Earth Fare, it may provide an intriguing and on-trend product line for customers to investigate, potentially bringing new shoppers into the company's stores. There could also be an exclusivity factor if consumers find they can't easily get such interesting, flavorful and reasonably priced items elsewhere.
Industry experts say that a larger selection of quality international foods helps retailers compete and attract a bigger shopper base. And with increasing competition among natural and organic grocery stores, consumers lured to Earth Fare by these products may also stick around to buy their meats, produce and other staples.