March Munchies: Score Big with Produce Promotions

Hey there, fellow produce fanatics! Jesse Himango here, COO of Empower Fresh and your friendly neighborhood produce consultant. College basketball tourney season is just around the corner, and that means one thing: it's time to get those produce aisles game-day ready!

Now, I've spent years in the trenches of independent grocery produce departments, and I've seen firsthand what works (and what doesn't) when it comes to capitalizing on big events. So, let's huddle up and brainstorm some winning strategies to boost your sales and keep your customers cheering. Spoiler.... if you are not a fan of puns you should stop now.

Veggie Trays: The MVP of Game-Day Snacks

Let's be honest, no March party is complete without a veggie tray. It's the ultimate crowd-pleaser, offering a healthy and refreshing alternative to chips and dip. But don't just throw any old veggies on a plate – let's get creative!

• Variety is key: Offer a mix of colorful vegetables like carrots, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes.
• Dips galore: Don't forget the dips! Ranch, hummus, guacamole, and French onion dip are all classic choices.
• Pre-made platters: Make it easy for your customers with pre-made veggie trays in various sizes.
• DIY options: Set up a "build-your-own" veggie tray station with a variety of fresh-cut vegetables and dips.

Slam Dunk with Snacking Pairings

Veggie trays are just the beginning. This season is all about snacking, so let's give your customers plenty of options to fuel their game-day excitement.

• Pistachios: These crunchy nuts are a perfect pairing for veggie trays and a great source of protein and healthy fats.
• Fruit platters: Offer a refreshing alternative with colorful fruit platters featuring strawberries, grapes, melon, and pineapple.
• Guacamole and salsa: Spice things up with homemade guacamole and salsa, and don't forget the tortilla chips!

Score with Cross-Merchandising

Think beyond the produce aisle! Create eye-catching displays that tie in with other departments.

• Beverage pairings: Place your veggie trays and snacks near the beverage aisle to encourage impulse purchases of sodas, juices, and beer.
• Deli counter: Partner with your deli department to offer party platters and sandwiches that complement your produce offerings.
• Bakery: Don't forget the sweets! Cross-merchandise with cookies, brownies, and other baked goods for a complete game-day spread

Time to Coach Your Team to Victory!

This is a team effort, so make sure your produce staff is ready to play. Provide them with the knowledge and tools they need to create winning displays, answer customer questions, and provide top-notch service.

With a little planning, creativity, you can turn this college basketball season into a slam dunk for your produce department. Now let's go out there and score some baskets (of produce, that is)!