Summer Fancy Food Show Booth 4417
Summer Fancy Food Show Booth 4533
Purchase motivators include freshness and health position-
ing, including the usage of yogurt, and/or zero or fewer artificial
f lavors and preservatives, as well as organic and free-from options.
Expanded, multi-use options can give the category the jolt it needs.
Rallying Around Ranch (and the Classics)
Thanks to its versatility and universal palate acceptance, ranch dress-
ing has remained strong in a struggling category.
"Ranch continues to take the lead in both foodservice and
retail," notes Stevens, adding that parents with young children tend
to be heavy purchasers of ranch dressing. "They often use it as a
conduit to get their kids to eat vegetables," she says.
According to a 2014 release put out by the Chicago-based
NPD Group's Supply Track, ranch holds double the share of dollars
and units of the next most popular f lavor, blue cheese. The NPD
Group also reports that the average American eats salad dressing
about 38 times per year, with ranch being the dressing of choice
nearly 40 percent of the time.
"Ranch dressing can be a bridge to f lavor adventure for con-
sumers, as its cool, creamy dairy, and lightly tangy f lavor lends itself
to endless versatility," says Cristine Shipley, corporate research and
BUYERS' PICKS
Retailers share which products are flying off their
store shelves.
Amy Larsen, For Goodness Sake, Bonita Springs, FL
• Annie's Natural Organic Thousand Island
• Field Day Organic Italian Dressing
• Field Day Organic Ranch Dressing
• Newman's Own Creamy Caesar
Karen Brown, Lone Star Taste,
Port Aransas, TX
• Briannas Rich Poppy Seed
• Briannas Blush Wine Vinaigrette
• Gourmet Gardens Red Raspberry
Vinaigrette
• Harriet's Original Pomegranate
Vinaigrette
Lisette Campbell, Union Market,
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
• Annie's Natural Organic
Cowgirl Ranch
• Bragg Apple Cider Vinaigrette
• Briannas Classic Buttermilk Ranch
• Momo Dressing in Ginger
SPRING 2016 55