Sprouts

Commodity Overview

Sprouts are popular with consumers looking for a punch of flavor with some added health benefits. Promote them to shoppers who are health conscious and those who are looking for some different flavors. Offer a variety of different sprouts. Clearly label them and offer some serving information to educate consumers about their different uses.

PLUs

4514 alfalfa
4536 bean

Varieties

Alfalfa Sprouts

Clover Sprouts

Garlic Sprouts

Lentil Bean Sprouts

Mung Bean Sprouts

Onion Sprouts

Pea Sprouts

Pumpkin Seed Sprouts

Radish Sprouts

Salad Sprouts

Soybean Sprouts

Sunflower Sprouts

Three-bean Sprouts

Wheat Sprouts

Retail Price Data is based on USDA Specialty Crops Market News surveys. Data collection ends on the report date and encompasses ad pricing good from the Saturday before the report release date through the following Friday. Weekly data - from over 400 retailers, comprising more than 30,000 individual stores with online weekly advertised features - covers over 250 produce items. Registered (logged-in) users, can access weekly reports and additional market information.

USDA Specialty Crops Market News publishes FOB and Movement data on a daily and weekly basis. Pricing and volume information is aggregated by commodity and published weekly, subject to any source-data adjustments. Commodity data is further processed based on origin (domestic vs imports) and type (regular vs. organic). Registered (logged-in) users, can access weekly reports and additional market information.

Facts

Sprouts may be little, but they pack a powerful health punch. Research has found that certain sprouts can help fight cancer. Sprouts can help boost cardiovascular health. Some sprouts contain vitamin A, which is helpful for maintaining healthy eyes and skin. Some sprouts are a good source of vitamin C, which is a known antioxidant that can help prevent cancer.
Nutrition information varies, depending on the type of sprout.

Sales Strategies

Sprouts have plenty of cross-merchandising partners, including salad dressing, croutons, bacon bits, cheese and sandwich bread and buns.
Sprouts are available year-round so give them some promotional love throughout the year.
Fall: Promote sprouts as a healthy sandwich topping for football game-day parties.
Winter: Include sprouts in holiday promotions as a way to spruce up a salad. Include sprouts in Chinese New Year’s promotions.
Spring: Promote sprouts many health benefits to consumers looking to get in shape for the summer.
Summer: Add sprouts to summertime grilling promotions as an option for topping those summertime burgers.
Offer a buy one, get one promotion to encourage consumers to try a different type of sprout. While alfalfa sprouts are the most familiar, other sprouts offer great flavors.

Dynamic Displays

Offer a variety of different sprouts. Clearly label them and offer some serving information to educate consumers about their different uses.
Alfalfa sprouts are white with green tops. They are what most consumers think of when they think of sprouts.
Clover sprouts are greener than alfalfa sprouts and are popular in foodservice because of their greener color.
Garlic sprouts are generally a bit more expensive because they cost more to grow. They have a garlic flavor.
The best-tasting lentil bean sprouts are the brown or reddish varieties. They have a peppery flavor and contain protein, vitamin B, iron and phosphorous.
Mung bean sprouts have small, light yellow leaves, a silvery white shoot and a root that may be slightly darkened. They have a crisp, nutty flavor.
Onion sprouts carry an oniony taste and are green and white.
Pea sprouts are tan and add flavor to soups, salads or sandwiches.
Pumpkin seed sprouts can add a light pumpkin flavor to salads, soups and even bread.
Radish sprouts offer the same spicy flavor as their full-grown counterparts.
Salad sprouts are a mix of sprouts designed to add flavor to salads. They are a combination of alfalfa sprouts, radish sprouts, mung bean sprouts, lentil sprouts and wheat sprouts.
Soybean sprouts have a similar flavor to mung bean

Food Service

Don’t cook sprouts. They taste best when served raw.
Include sprouts in salads and on salad bars. They can be messy, so keep a close eye on your salad bar and clean up loose sprouts frequently.
Use sprouts as a plate garnish and as a bed for an entrée.
Use sprouts to top sandwiches from deli sandwiches to burgers.

In the Backroom

Shipping
Living alfalfa sprouts are usually shipped in 4- or 6-oz. containers with 12 containers to a case. A flat of living alfalfa sprouts weighs four pounds. Bean sprouts are available in the same size containers, with an open flat of bean sprouts weighing about five pounds. RPC – 6411, 6413

Grades
No official U.S. Department of Agriculture grades exist for sprouts.

Handling
Temperature: 34 to 36 F (1 to 2 C) Relative humidity: 90% Mist: no Typical shelf life: Most sprouts 5 to 10 days, sprouted beans up to a month Exposure to heat will cause alfalfa sprouts to rot. Never ice sprouts because they freeze quickly.