Produce sales reached $69.6 billion in 2020, an 11.4% increase according to “Power of Produce 2021,” a recent report from the Food Industry Association (FMI). The report also found that grocery shoppers are purchasing more produce than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic, with consumers purchasing more fresh fruit (up 8.9%) and more vegetables (up 14.2%).
Packaging Strategies asked Rick Stein, vice president of fresh foods at FMI, what specific trends were driving the growth of produce sales, “We see two major trends driving the growth of produce sales: at-home cooking and health and well-being. Shoppers tell us they are cooking more at home; they are eating more vegetables at dinner and lunch and more fruit for breakfast and snacks. Half of shoppers are integrating fruits and vegetables into their meal plans somewhat or a lot more often, and 71% of grocery shoppers say nutrition and health is a primary or important reason for purchasing fruits and vegetables.”