Plant-based, grain-based and globally-inspired are three of the trends driving deli salad innovation at Schwenksville, Pa.-based Don’s Prepared Foods, said Carl Cappelli, senior vice president of sales and business development.

“It’s an ongoing evolution,” Cappelli said. “Innovation and leadership is what we do.”

Seafood salads, grain salads and dips/cream cheese are three areas in particular where Don’s continues to enjoy an industry leader position, he added.

Inflationary pressures have also helped determine consumers’ retail deli salad choices, Cappelli said, and they will likely continue to do so.

“Given economic conditions in 2023 and continuing into 2024, we see increases in traditional salads and sides, as Americans seek nostalgia and comfort foods with a price value.”

In June, Don’s plans to release three or four new concepts in the “lower-priced nostalgic comfort foods” category, Cappelli said.

“High-quality salads with flavors and price points to bring us back in time.”

Other trends Don’s is tracking closely are the rise in snacking and the need for easy meal solutions, as more Americans are eating at home, Cappelli said.

“Retailers who use Don’s and incorporate our unique salads into deli meal solutions can expect increased sales. It provides an ‘in-store experience’ that consumers love. We see a world of opportunity for retail deli in 2024.”

5 Better Bowls from Don’s

1. Unwrapped Grilled Chicken Burrito Bowl

Grilled white meat chicken breast, roasted corn, black beans and long grain brown rice, mixed with southwestern style spices and lime juice.

2. Korean BBQ Style Chick’n Bowl

Plant-based chicken with vegetables and long grain brown rice, tossed in a Korean BBQ-style sauce with scallions and sesame seeds.

3. Chicken Pesto Pasta Bowl

Grilled white meat chicken breast tossed with artichokes, white beans and rotini paster, and mixed with organic basil pesto.

4. Honey Sriracha Chicken Bowl

Grilled white meat chicken breast mixed with red bell peppers and wild rice and tossed with a honey sriracha sauce.

5. Mexican Style Chorizo and Rice Bowl

Plant-based chorizo, black beans, sweet corn and jalapeno, mixed with long grain brown rice and Mexican-style spices.

This article is an excerpt from the March 2024 issue of Supermarket Perimeter. You can read the entire Deli Salads feature and more in the digital edition here.