Dole Fresh Vegetables wins national award

Monterey-based Dole Fresh Vegetables has received national recognition for its Dole Chopped Salad Kits. The company announced Thursday it had received a 2016 U.S. Nielsen Breakthrough Innovation Award,honoring product distinctiveness, relevance and market endurance.

It is the first time a produce brand or Central Coast company has won the award in the eight-year history of the competition.

In a press statement, CarrieAnn Arias, Vice President of marketing for Dole Fresh Vegetables said, “Dole is beyond honored that the DOLE Chopped Salad Kit line is one of only 92 U.S. products to receive this award since its inception in 2008, and the first-ever winner in the produce industry.”

Dole introduced its Chopped Salad Kits in 2013. The company currently offers seven varieties, including Bacon and Bleu, BBQ Ranch, Chipotle & Cheddar, Pomegranate, Poppy Seed, Sesame Asian and Sunflower Crunch.

National sales of bagged salads and other ready-to-eat vegetables and fruits are expected to grow from $5.5 billion in 2013 to $7 billion by 2018, according to Packaged Facts, a market research firm. The company cites consumer desire for convenience and demand for a wide variety of options as primary reasons for continued sales growth.

Nielsen is a global research firm that conducts audience measurement services for media and advertising clients and tracks consumer trends for manufacturers and retailers. Nielsen’s Breakthrough Innovation Awards program was introduced in 2008, and since its inception has analyzed more than 20,000 U.S. product launches.

“The fact that Nielsen reviewed 20,000 U.S. product launches over eight years and found Dole and DOLE Chopped Salad Kits as demonstrating breakout innovation and success and improving America’s daily routines of eating is extremely fulfilling for everyone at Dole.”

Nielsen said it chose award winners based on three requirements: a distinctive consumer product that delivered a new value proposition to the market in 2014; a minimum of $50 million in first-year U.S. sales; and a demonstrated ability to endure the market by achieving 90 percent of first-year sales during its second year.

Other brands chosen to receive a 2016 award include Arm & Hammer, Ben & Jerry’s, Breyers, Kellogg’s and Chobani.