For grocery retailers, having an olive and antipasti bar program in the deli department can be an easy way to grab the attention of charcuterie lovers, adventurous foodies and health-conscious shoppers all in one place.

Many olive and antipasti bar products make great accompaniments to charcuterie and entertainment boards. Retailers can capitalize on the charcuterie craze by setting up merchandisers near the bar with charcuterie meats, cheeses, crackers, preserves, nuts, oils, baguettes, wine and anything else trending in the specialty entertainment category.

Olive and antipasti bars also bring a variety of unique flavors and textures to a prepared foods department. A product like dolmas (stuffed grape leaves) may not be something all consumers are familiar with or eat very often. Having dolmas and other antipasti foods conveniently available could inspire those looking for something new to try them with a Mediterranean-inspired meal.

The unique and convenient options on an olive and antipasti bar can also appeal to consumers that are trying to eat more vegetables but struggle with the taste or the time it takes to prepare them at home. Antipasti vegetables can be eaten alone or — for health-conscious consumers looking to avoid salad fatigue — tossed in a Greek salad for extra flavor.

To the bar & beyond

New York-based FOODMatch offers a wide variety of olives and antipasti products bursting with flavor. The Mediterranean producer and importer features 117 different products in its olive and antipasti bar catalog, including whole olives, pitted olives, stuffed olives, tomatoes, peppers, dolmas, beans, mushrooms, artichokes, onions, pickled vegetables and more.

“A pioneer of the olive and antipasti bar, FOODMatch will collaborate with you to select the perfect mix of products that pair tried and true favorites with new and seasonal innovations sure to excite your shopper,” the company said. “Beyond world-class product, our job is to set you up for long-term success. From customized training materials, educational resources, in-store support visits and marketing POS/signage, your program is our priority.”

Beyond its bar program, FOODMatch also offers Grab & Go Prepack Deli Cups and Olive & Antipasti Pouches under its Divina brand. The company said the cups and pouches of olives and antipasti are shelf-stable, with a 10-12-month shelf-life for most items, and they do not require the same level of labor that the bar program does. FOODMatch also said the cups and pouches have minimal packaging and labeling, “to maintain the unique visual of the bar,” and the individual packages are great for curbside pickup and delivery.

“Divina cups, like our pouches, jams and spreads are a perfect item to cross-merchandise with cheese, charcuterie, crackers and more,” said Brandon Gross, vice president of marketing for FOODMatch. “We’ve learned there is no exact replication for the self-serve experience (variety, portion control and freshness) but with this new collection of pre-packed cups, we are ensuring that every customer, no matter where, when or how they shop, has access to our program.” 

Specialty award 

At the Specialty Food Association’s 2023 Summer Fancy Food Show, FOODMatch received a SOFI award for Best New Product of the Year in the Olive Oil category. According to FOODMatch, it was the company’s 14th SOFI award earned.

The award-winning olive oil, First Crush EVOO, was originally developed to be a limited-edition product, but FOODMatch said it received so much enthusiasm that the company decided to make it available annually.

“Our First Crush Olive Oil is crafted from Greek Koroneiki olives that are picked at the perfect time, then immediately crushed and bottled,” the company said. “The result is an early-harvest EVOO that offers bold, buttery flavor and mellows over time.”

The First Crush EVOO bottles are bright red and feature the brand name in a large, stylish white font with metallic accents. The eye-catching bold color and luxury design make the product a great option for cross-merchandising in a charcuterie display by an olive and antipasti bar.

Olive bar essentials

According to FOODMatch, its olive and antipasti bar program is often the top-selling sku in specialty and is easy to maintain throughout the day being a brine-based program. The company shared the following tips for a successful olive and antipasti bar program:

Cleanliness is key

Monitor for spills, stir to refresh and refill pans regularly.

Temperature

Ensure that the product meets health and safety regulations to maximize shelf life and product quality.

Accurate signage

Provide brief descriptions of product name, flavor and usage ideas. Provide a pit warning sign: “product may contain pits and/or pit fragments.” Provide nutritional information along with allergens and ingredients.

Merchandising

Vary colors, flavors and selections on the bar to pique interest. Keep your top sellers in the front. Display pitted and whole olives apart from one another to avoid crossover. Merchandise new and innovative items next to top sellers to encourage trial.

Sampling & demos

Demos, passive sampling and providing tasting cups are three effective ways to increase sales and introduce new items. Try to sample by pairing top olives and antipasti with cheese or spreads.

Open, date & refrigerate

When storing any open product, ensure you place the “open date” on the container and keep product refrigerated.

Brine is just fine!

Keep all product submerged in its original brine/oil/marinade when in storage. On the bar, keep product in brine and stir every 2-3 hours.

Closing procedures

At night, products should be fully covered and stored in refrigeration. The olive bar should be cleaned according to proper procedure.