Dole Fresh Vegetables/Bud Antle says its three new salad kit varieties tap the latest taste preferences, consumer research findings and restaurant and culinary trends.
The produce and salad company says it is using global flavors, reimagined classics and fresh new pairings to target both salad kit loyalists and the growing number of millennial and Gen Z salad users.
The U.S.'s expanding salad consumer base will be the first to experience the mozzarella-based richness of Italian caprese, the unexpected blend of classic ranch and herby pesto, and the tangy-but-sweet indulgence of apple cider in minutes-to-make salad kits featuring farm-fresh lettuces, vegetables, toppings and original dressings, the company says.
The new kits are the direct result of expanded research by the company into the latest taste trends ranging from fruits, herbs and spices to low-sugar, smoke and char preferences, says David Austin, vice president of marketing and innovation for Dole Fresh Vegetables/Bud Antle. They also directly leverage 12-month shopper grocery sales and preferences.
“By working closely with taste influencers, researchers and salad consumers, Dole brand is able to stay ahead of ever-changing flavor trends to deliver bold flavor experiences that consumers crave — sometimes before they even know they crave them,” Austin says. “Our goal is to use consumer insights, culinary partnerships and other R&D tools to continually create new salad enthusiasts, including both long-time loyalists and the growing number of millennials and Gen Z experiencing packaged salads for the first time.”
The three new kits bring the total number of Dole salad offerings to 70, including 31 separate salad kit SKUs, and strengthen the brand’s reputation for pairing Dole lettuces and vegetables with differentiated toppings and dressings in new, inspired ways to encourage healthier eating and increased vegetable consumption, the company says.
“Our fall 2025 extension further strengthens U.S. shopper confidence in the Dole brand, which was ranked the most-trusted in salad kits in the 2025 BrandSpark Most Trusted Awards Presented by Newsweek,” Austin says.
Now shipping to retail throughout U.S., these new SKUs will join the Dole refrigerated salad sets at supermarkets in September:
- Dole Caprese Chopped Salad Kit — This combines Dole romaine lettuce, green cabbage, kale and carrots with creamy mozzarella, brioche croutons and savory tomato-basil seasoning and vinaigrette dressing.
- Dole Pesto Ranch Chopped Salad Kit — Two classic tastes — rich creamy ranch and bright herby basil pesto — come together in a blended salad experience that’s both familiar and unexpectedly craveable, the company says. Crisp Dole romaine lettuce is topped with nutty shredded Parmesan, golden garlic crouton crumbles and a house pesto ranch dressing.
- Dole Apple Harvest Premium Salad Kit — This features a bed of tender spring mix baby leaf lettuces, topped with savory and creamy aged cheddar cheese, crunchy brown sugar pecans and Dole’s house apple cider vinaigrette. The dressing is a secret blend of tangy and sweet apple cider, real Dijon mustard and a blend of spices.
For the Caprese and Pesto Ranch kits, Austin says his team is leveraging the popularity of these flavored grocery items, which are up 118% and 93% in related grocery component sales over the past year, respectively. Similarly, the Apple Harvest kit taps into the increasing consumer appeal of apple cider vinaigrette, especially as a pairing during the fall and winter holidays, according to the company.
“We’re especially excited that all three new Dole Salad Kits scored an ‘always’ or ‘often’ intent-to-purchase score of at least 75% among the general population — meaning that at least three-fourths of consumers who tried our newest salads would buy them often or always,” Austin says.
The Dole brand’s latest salad kit debut is being supported by a national marketing program encompassing advertising, PR and at-retail POS.
