Ready-2-Eat Simply Grab It and Go

Photo by Jayson Im 

Asheville, NC is at the intersection of Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh prepared food aka the Grocerant Niche and retail foodservice customer relevance according to Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant Guru.

This holiday weekend whether you are visiting a park in Asheville or going for a hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains you have a plethora of fresh prepared Ready-2-Eat high quality food options.  When you are on the way stop Roman's owner Roman Braverman says his boxed lunches like the “Italian panini with pasta (pictured above) salad keep and transport well to make for a no-fuss picnic meal.”

Asheville’s local chefs understand that restaurant customer migration from sit down inside dining to Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh prepared food presents huge upside opportunity.  

Restaurants like Roman’s and Grocery stores the ilk of Katuah Market, Green Life, Earth Fare and the French Broad Food Co-op offer Ready-2-Eat , wrapped sandwiches and packaged side salads that can be picked up quickly en route to your favorite picnic spot or packed away as you head out for a hike, or simply taken home for lunch or dinner.

In addition to Roman’s restaurants Grocerant niche Grab-N-Go options according to Asheville’s Mountain Express including “Louise’s Kitchen in downtown Black Mountain offers customers a picnic lunch package that goes well beyond brown bagging it.”…

“They get two wine glasses, a bottle of wine, a blanket and lunch for two for $65,” says owner Bud Rainey. Customers are given their choice of two sandwiches and a side of fruit. No need to worry about returning the picnic basket, wine glasses or the blanket — they are intended to be taken home and enjoyed again.”…

“Laurey’s on Biltmore Avenue is known for making a wide variety of foods with fresh, local ingredients. “Our deli case is always stocked with a lot of seasonal fresh salads. Sweet potato salad is always really popular and it’s great for a picnic,” says Adam Thome, general manager and chef.”…

“For a refreshing alternative to the traditional sandwich and side, Thome recommends gazpacho. “We sell gallons of it all summer long,” he says. For groups of 10 or more, Laurey’s offers a boxed lunch that consists of a sandwich or wrap, pasta salad and a cookie.”…

“Laurey’s kitchen manager Andrew Hauet recommends just stopping by. “We are always happy to just pack up what we have in the case, or if people drop in we can have a sandwich ready to go for them in two to three minutes,” he says.”

Other local spots  include Asheville Sandwich Company, Two  Guys Hoagies, Tod’s Tasties, all in Asheville, and Dark City Deli & Pub in Black Mountain. Grocerant niche Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat food is great for holidays even better for retailers when you think of then for either lunch or dinner daily.  Many of you do!  That’s why the Grocerant niche is booming nationwide.

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