Slideshow: Del Monte’s innovation makes “big bets” on pandemic trends
SAN FRANCISCO: In an effort to leverage the trends that the firm has witnessed accelerate over the past year, Del Monte Foods, Inc. has revealed a collection of innovations. According to Mario DiFalco, vice president of innovation and insights at Del Monte Foods, the company is “taking big bets” on empowering home cooks, plant-based frozen foods, and younger generations.
Mr. DiFalco stated, “We expect a number of consumer trends that have been influenced over the past year to continue well beyond the pandemic.” Customers have shown to be even more concerned with their health and well-being, more comfortable cooking at home, more receptive to working remotely, more eager to purchase convenience goods, and more willing to pay a premium for products from reputable companies. These developments, in our opinion, areWe’re introducing a range of new product lines that will make it simple and affordable for people to eat healthily (and include more fruits and vegetables in their diets) even as many customers’ lives become busier. These products are here to stay and will have a lasting impact on consumer eating behaviors.
Del Monte launched its Bubble Fruit line in August 2019 as part of an effort to appeal to younger consumers. The product combines classic fruit cups with exploding boba. Del Monte is now leveraging that momentum with the launch of Joyba Bubble Tea, a range of retail-only drinks inspired by boba shops that are produced with brewed tea flavored with fruit and exploding boba.
“We’ve been aggressively innovating and transforming our business over the past several years,” Mr. DiFalco stated. “The canned food firm of our grandparents’ age is no longer us. In less than two years, we’ve built a $20 million product line, mostly targeting Gen Z consumers, with our Del Monte Bubble Fruit line. Now, with the introduction of Del Monte Foods’, we’re taking things a whole new level.
Mr. DiFalco stated that the motivation behind the creation of Joyba was to “create something new, exciting and ownable for our company.” Del Monte focused on boba enthusiasts to create the perfect product.
“We tested brand names and various options for bringing it all to life, did all of the ideation and concepting, and ultimately decided on Joyba,” Mr. DiFalco stated. In order to comprehend the immersive Boba experience, which is equal parts practical (taste and texture) and emotional (adventurous and social), we particularly had to conduct exploratory work with Boba fans. These customers’ preferences for boba moments served as an inspiration for the brand’s core values. The consumer insights team took the lead in creating our manifesto, which encapsulates everything Joyba stands for.
In August, Joyba Bubble Tea will retail for $2.99 for a single cup or $9.99 for a set of four at a few select retailers.
Del Monte is growing its Veggieful brand with a new range of Veggieful Riced Veggies, further demonstrating its commitment to plant-based frozen foods. The riced vegetable medleys that are ready to heat include extra veggies, lentils, and complimentary grains.
“Freeze-dried offers tremendous opportunity as consumers strive to find healthy and convenient options,” stated Mr. DiFalco. “With the introduction and recent growth of our Veggieful product line, which includes plant-based pockets with a cauliflower crust and now our new Veggieful Riced Veggie items, we’ve doubled our frozen offerings in the last two years. All of the Veggieful range is made of plants.
July will see the nationwide release of Del Monte Veggieful Riced Veggies, with a suggested retail price of $3.19 per 10-oz pouch.
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Del Monte’s emphasis on deliberate snacking resulted in the development of Fruit Infusions fruit cups, which have extra antioxidants and other useful components.
Mr. DiFalco stated, “As consumers strive to lead healthier lifestyles, they’re looking to make healthier snacks as well as meals.” For this reason, we’re thrilled to introduce our new range of fruit cups called Del Monte Fruit Infusions, which are infused with useful components including prebiotics and turmeric. Our retailers have already all grabbed hold of the merchandise.In June, Del Monte Fruit Infusions will retail for $1.69 per pack of six across the country.
Del Monte is launching Contadina San Marzano tomatoes and Del Monte Deluxe Gold Pineapple to inspire home cooks. The quality produce is intended for use in baking and cookery.
“One thing is for sure, a lot of Americans stocked up on food in their pantries and cooked more meals at home as a result of the pandemic,” Mr. DiFalco stated. We expect this pattern to continue for some time, even after the economy starts to recover. We are getting ready for our busiest manufacturing season in decades because of this. We’re bringing out new items that encourage people to take up home cooking again, such as our new Contadina San Marzano tomatoes and Del Monte Deluxe Gold Pineapple.
Whole Contadina San Marzano Style Tomatoes are sold all across the country, and in August, sliced tomatoes will be added to store shelves. The tomatoes retail for $3.49 when purchased in 28-ounce cans.
Del Monte Deluxe Gold Pineapple chunks, slices, and tidbits retail for $1.99 in recommended retail stores across the US in 20-oz cans.
This summer, Del Monte Fruit Infusions, Joyba Bubble Tea, Veggieful Riced Veggies, Contadina San Marzano tomatoes, and Del Monte Deluxe Gold Pineapple will be available. According to Mr. DiFalco, Del Monte isn’t done innovating just yet.
He stated, “Traditionally, the majority of our products were utilized as sides or as components for lunch or dinner.” We are excited to be expanding this focus with our new invention to every section of the grocery store, every mealtime of the day, and every customer—all at the same value that customers have come to expect. You may anticipate that in the upcoming years, we will keep up our aggressive innovation to provide consumers with even more delectable and healthful methods to improve their regular intake of fruits and vegetables.