Convenience stores find consumers willing to pay a premium for fresh prepared and healthy fare.

From coffee, salads and baked goods, convenience stores are focused on moving fresh food forward. Companies from coast to coast including Tedeschi Food Shops to Tesoro Stewarts Shops to Sheetz each is making grab and go food better for the customer and better for you!

Healthy fresh prepared ready-to-and ready-to-heat food remained a top priority for all Convenience stores in 2009 and will continue for some time too come. “Natural” products gained popularity with sales growing in all departments except meat, even posting 166 percent growth in the bakery according to a recent study.

The interest in health and increased distribution of ready-to-eat and fresh-cut produce helped propel produce sales as well in 2009. Increases occurred in the prepared vegetable category including beans, broccoli this reflects a solid commonality with the college student preferences released by Sodexo.  Sales also increased in herbs as well as healthy snack fruits such as prepared pineapple and grapefruit.

Bundling convenience with individual packaging and affordability positions C-stores well for continued growth in the grocerant ready-to-eat and ready-to-heat prepared food niche. Building top line revenue and bottom line profits appears to be better for you as well!

Join me here on my blog for insights, information and inspiration. Since 1991 Foodservice Solutions of Tacoma, WA has been the global leader in the Grocerant niche for more on Steven A. Johnson and Foodservice Solutions visit http://www.linkedin.com/in/grocerant or on Facebook at Steven Johnson