Organic cauliflower sales are a sizable percent of the category and sales are growing slowly. But this versatile vegetable offers plenty of opportunities to appeal to health-conscious consumers. Create promotions that capitalize on cauliflower’s popularity as a replacement for everything from noodles to pizza crust in gluten-free and low-carb diets. The average retail price of organic is more than twice that of conventional.
Promote organic cauliflower along with organic dips and bagged salads. Promote organic cauliflower rice with other organic stir-fry vegetables and sauces.
Promote organic cauliflower as a healthy, sustainably grown option for reducing carbs in meals. It can be used as a replacement for pizza dough and as a substitute for rice and pasta. Include preparation tips and demonstrations as part of the promotion.
Organic cauliflower grills well, so include it in summertime grilling promotions along with organic seasonings and meat.
Keep your options open when it comes to displaying organic cauliflower. With a price double that of conventional product, experiment with where you display it. Place it next to conventional product and add it to an organics-only area to see where it will sell best. Use organic cauliflower as a color break between lettuce and broccoli to create an eye-catching color contrast.
Organic cauliflower is fragile so avoid stacking the heads on each other. This sturdy-looking vegetable can bruise easily. Keep cauliflower away from misters as the overwrapped heads need to be kept dry. If you are selling heads without packaging, mist them lightly.
Consider carrying organic purple cauliflower as a novelty item. Its intriguing color will attract curious consumers.
Add organic cauliflower florets and organic cauliflower rice to your displays to appeal to health-conscious, time-strapped consumers.
Include recipes and preparation tips on your display. Appeal to younger and health-conscious consumers by providing recipes about using cauliflower as a noodle replacement.
Shipping
Organic cauliflower is most often shipped in 9-, 12- and 16-count cartons. Purple organic cauliflower is available in 12-count cartons.
Grades
United States
U.S. No. 1
Handling
Temperature: 32 F, 0 C
Relative humidity: 90-98%
Mist: lightly (Do not mist wrapped product.)
Typical shelf life: 2 to 3 weeks
Ethylene-sensitive. Do not store or transport with items that produce ethylene.
There is no quality variance between large and small heads if they are equally mature. A slightly granular appearance is acceptable if heads are not spreading.
Store with butts down to prevent moisture accumulation on curds.
