Side Delights heightened its commitment to sustainability while continuing to focus on implementing the highest food-safety practices available. Recent Nielsen research confirms that shoppers base their purchase decisions in part on the sustainability practices of products and the companies that produce them.  The study shows that sustainable efforts are crucial to Millennial shoppers.

The study showed that 68 percent of consumers feel strongly that companies should help improve the environment; nearly half they say they would change their consumption habits to reduce their impact on the environment; sustainable share in grocery is growing from 20 percent in 2014 to a projected 25 percent by 2021. All consumer segments value sustainability, but Millennials are most engaged; Millennials are more likely than Baby Boomers (53 percent vs. 34 percent) to say they’d be willing to forgo a brand to buy environmentally friendly products.

In addition to the increased importance of sustainability, shoppers are paying more attention to food safety. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, approximately 48 million people in the U.S. become ill from foodborne diseases, and food recalls were included in the recently published 2019 list of disrupters impacting food retail. Food packaging not only protects the food but also provides the consumer with valuable information on ingredients, freshness, and potential allergens, in addition to allowing the product to be tracked and traced..

“As an organization made up of multi-generational farms, Side Delights farmers have always been stewards of the land, committed to sustainability and food safety. We are leveraging new and innovative technology, especially in areas such as packaging which is crucial to safety and sustainability,” said Kathleen Triou, president and chief executive officer of Fresh Solutions Network. “By utilizing recyclable or compostable bags and trays, and the best quality food-safe plastic wrap for our microwaveable potato products, we simultaneously protect our consumers and the environment. The microwaveable wrap is particularly important as it helps maintain the potato’s nutrients while cooking and keeps the triple-washed potatoes clean for immediate consumption.”

Side Delights offers consumers safe and sustainable options and drives them into stores with new, innovative products to fit every meal.