"In 2012 Taylor Farms brought our chopped salad kits to the market and it really revolutionized what salad kits look like today,” said Taylor Farms Retail Division President Mark Campion.
Salinas-based Taylor Farms first started off with three flavors, now they have 11. Each kit is chopped, blended with vegetables, fresh herbs and toppings.
"We're trying to bring a unique eating experience and flavor experience to the consumer," said Campion.
They say their target consumers are busy people strapped for time who also want to eat healthier.
"I think when you look at childhood obesity rates and juvenile diabetes rates, people are finally starting to realize that we need to start eating in a more healthful manner," said Campion. “I think the chopped salad kits allow them to do that."
Grab and go salad buyers told KION the prepackaged greens have also introduced them to ingredients that are not on their radar.
"It gives us different ideas of what you can use in a salad,” said salad kit buyer Andrea Barton. “Sometimes certain nuts or dried fruit that you don't normally think of."
But not everyone is hopping on the salad kit bandwagon. Some people believe the prepacked greens are not as fresh, clean, or nutritious.
"If you look at the back of the package and see how much fat and saturated fat is inside of the dressing then you know it’s kind of pointless to go that direction," said Catherine Fuentes, who makes her own salads.
