Consumers looking to retailers for meal solutions, Side Delights says

The high cost of eating out will motivate more consumers to rely on their grocers to provide home meal solutions, says Kathleen Triou, president and CEO of Fresh Solutions Network, the exclusive supplier of Side Delights potatoes and onions.

Because of ongoing economic challenges and rising food prices, dining out is estimated to be four times more expensive than eating at home, according to a news release. As a result, retailers, foodservice operators and distributors who want to better engage with their target consumers will have new opportunities with the right product mix, Triou said.

“With continued economic uncertainty, attitudes about eating at home and health are evolving, and consumers are seeking a balance between value, wellness and convenience,” Triou said in the release. “This shift allows retailers to promote solutions that help consumers source healthy, convenient and cost-effective meals at home like Side Delights Amazables, which can be a quick snack full of potassium, fiber and vitamin C or a starring role in a weeknight dinner for friends and family.”

The data confirms that while consumers are spending more time at home and adapting to new daily rhythms, convenience and health remain top priorities, so they are willing to spend on products offering added benefits, the release said.

Newly published Circana research shows 86% of eating occasions are currently sourced from home, and over the past year, consumers ate 116 more meals at home than they did in pre-pandemic years, the release said. Snack consumption is also growing, with consumers increasingly preferring ‘quick bites’ over larger meals.

Amazables are oven-crisp-style microwavable potatoes that are ready in six minutes and come with custom gluten-free sauces by Litehouse — Loaded Potato sauce and Buffalo Ranch sauce. Both were created to complement the taste of a russet potato and leverage top foodservice flavors, the release said.