Organic strawberries account for more than 5% of total organic sales, and they make up a marginable total of strawberry sales. Give organic strawberries some space in your department to increase sales and round out your organic berry category.
Promote organic strawberries heavily during the spring and summer when supply is plentiful and prices are lower. Include organic shortcake, whipped cream, ice cream and chocolate dips with strawberries.
Include organic strawberries in summertime holiday promotions. They are popular both in baked goods and as a side dish or snack at summertime picnics.
Create an organic berry promotion that includes all types of organic berries, including strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries.
Organic strawberries should be the centerpiece of any organic berry display. Don’t hide your organic berries. Create an organic berry patch display near the front of the store to draw consumers who are looking for berries and are interested in organic.
Strawberries are a popular summer item. If you have quick turnover on your organic strawberries, they can be displayed without refrigeration. On days when turnover is slow, however, they need to be refrigerated.
Consider displaying organic strawberries and conventional strawberries side by side with the appropriate barriers in between. This creates a larger, eye-catching display and keeps all your berries in one place.
Clamshells are the best way to display organic berries as they limit damage and the possibility of contamination from conventional product.
Shipping
Organic strawberries, like conventional strawberries, are often shipped in packs of 8, 1-pound clamshells. They are also available in packs of 12, 8.8-ounce clamshells.
Grades
U.S. No. 1
U.S. combination
U.S. No. 2
Handling
Temperature: 32 to 34 F, 0 to 1 C