New for Stockton, Calif.-based Kevin’s Natural Foods in 2023 will be a line of Ready-to-Cook Meat Entrées.
Set for an April rollout — just in time for grilling season — the 30-ounce entrées contain raw, marinated chicken breast paired with Kevin’s signature sauces.
“They’re designed specifically for our customers who want to cook their own proteins on the BBQ, stove, or in the oven,” said Kevin McCray, the company's president. “The chicken is perfectly trimmed, portioned, and lightly seasoned, and each entrée includes a separate pouch of sauce for marinating, dipping and/or simmering, depending on how the customer is cooking the protein.”
Flavors will include Korean BBQ Chicken, Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Chicken and Hawaiian BBQ Chicken.
Branded or unbranded, demand for grab-and-go fresh meal solutions in the grocery perimeter is strong and steady, McCray said.
“We saw velocities spike during the COVID shutdowns, and then it leveled off shortly after lifestyle patterns normalized. Today, our products are seeing steady same-store growth year-over-year with our No. 1 inquiry being around flavor expansion.”
Kevin’s customers, he added, are using the company’s products in place of meal prep, and they’re the driving force behind Kevin’s rapid flavor expansion. Kevin’s now offers more than 17 flavors in entrees alone.