Preparing for Thanksgiving? OGC is Here to Help!
With one of the biggest food holidays just around the corner, the pressure is on to reset merchandising plans and menus, filling both with eaters’ favorite seasonal items. OGC is here to answer a few perennial questions and to lend guidance to help price-conscious shoppers fill their baskets with ingredients for their feasts.
Will there be plenty of organic cranberries?
Yes! While overall volume is down on this year’s Northwest harvest, resulting in a shortage of bulk cranberries, there will be more than enough organic cranberries in 7.5 oz clamshells from Wisconsin to meet the demand for November feasting. Bring in plenty of these crimson-hued beauties!
What is the outlook for organic green beans?
This year’s projections align with what we typically expect in November. We anticipate three growers will be harvesting in Mexico to meet the holiday window, so fingers crossed that all goes according to plan. It’s highly encouraged to offer shoppers an alternative green veg, and organic Brussels sprouts are the perfect pick! There should be plenty, and many recipes can easily swap sprouts for beans.
Click here to find a printable recipe card for Cheesy Brussels Sprout Casserole that is a riff off the classic green bean favorite. Place this card in displays to help inspire shoppers!
What should I expect for stocking Crimini mushrooms?
Enjoy cautious optimism on the organic Crimini front, with anticipated volume projected to be near meeting demand. This item has been troubled in years past and things could still fall apart if there is a massive freeze. So, plan for a diversified mushroom set with plenty of organic and wild offerings. If one variety is short, another can be brought in to fill displays.
With shoppers feeling strapped for cash, how can we encourage them to fill their baskets?
While there will most certainly be shoppers that spare no expense for their holiday feasts, inflation is on the mind of many and may impact purchasing habits.
Creating a perception of value across the department is a sure way to keep customers happy and increase sales volume!
While we expect markets to remain high on some staple and holiday menu items, build bountiful displays of lower-cost items like organic Russet potatoes, yellow onions, leeks, apples, pears, Navel oranges and smaller-sized winter squash like Delicata that shoppers can purchase in volume.
There are also fantastic opportunities to stock “fancier” items while they’re priced aggressively. Fuyu persimmons and foraged Chanterelle mushrooms are at their best price of the season. Pairing elevated items with more standard offerings help shoppers feel their purchases are well-rounded. When a shopper gets a good deal on potatoes and onions, they won’t feel so bad splurging on higher-cost items, like leaf lettuce, celery or cauliflower.
Any other tips for putting shoppers at ease this season?
A price-conscious shopper is likely experiencing decision fatigue. Help make their purchasing decisions easier with cross-merchandised grocery items. The less strategizing and moving about a busy store they have to do while checking off their list, the more at ease they’ll be. The more at ease they are, the more likely they are to feel confident and stock up!
Be sure to reach out to your OGC Account Representative with any questions and for additional help to make this busy time of year a success. From all of us at OGC, thank you for your hard work in bringing organic produce to the people and supporting organic farmers this November!