Side Delights says its Bakeables microwaveable side dish is now available nationwide in new packaging that coordinates with the brand’s updated Side portfolio of potatoes.
Available in U.S. No.1 russet and sweetpotato varieties, the non-GMO, all-natural and shelf-stable Side Delights Bakeables are individually wrapped for microwave use and ready to eat in eight minutes. With no cleaning or peeling required, Bakeables is a low-cost solution for everything from main courses on "Meatless Monday" to after-school and office snacks, according to a news release.
"For a decade, Side Delights Bakeables have offered the perfect solution for shoppers seeking healthy, affordable meals for their time-crunched lifestyles," Kathleen Triou, president and CEO of Fresh Solutions Network, said in the release. "The new color block label design and premium label material will make Bakeables even easier for consumers to find on the shelf, and updated cooking instructions will help them understand the product's convenience and value."
The Side Delights brand offers suggestions on how merchandising the new Bakeables package can help create maximum impact at retail. Bakeables can be grouped with all microwave-ready potatoes on the primary potato table or displayed in high-traffic areas near complementary side dish items such as packaged salads, baby carrots and dressings, according to the release.
The change comes as shopper demand increases for healthy, convenient and cost-effective meals, the release said.
Side Delights cited a 2023 consumer survey that showed 64% of people said they eat at home more frequently, preferring "good, healthy, affordable food that can be prepared quickly." Additionally, two-thirds of these grocery shoppers want more heat-and-eat vegetables, the release said.
The brand also highlights “10 Nutrition Tips for a Healthy New Year,” released by The New York Times, with research recommending the Mediterranean diet as the No. 1 tip for 2024. The health benefits of eating a vegetable-rich diet include a reduced risk of developing cardiovascular disease and protection against oxidative stress, which can contribute to chronic conditions like neurological disease and cancer, the release said.
Side Delights offers a variety of choices of nutritious, economical products, including bagged and bulk potatoes, potato kits, convenience potatoes, petite potatoes, fresh-cut potatoes and organic potatoes, the release said.