Convenience Store Food Evolves from Frightful too ‘Better For You’

Do you still remember the Roller Grill at the center of your local convenience store that was filled with products that had been turning, turning, turning, for hour after hour?  Do you remember that when you dared tried one once. When you were very hungry, and vowed you would never do that again. Well times have change and “better for you’ food can be found in convenience stores today.  

A vast majority of convenience stores today offer single pieces of fresh fruit like bananas, oranges, and apples year round.  Don’t tell me you are surprised.  Entering a C-store today you don’t have to look far to find them either they are usually at the front of the store next to the cash register. 

Regular readers of this blog know that Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant Guru™ Says “Fresh Fruit is Fast Food”.  Most fruit is prewashed that you find in a C-store today so you don’t want to worry about washing an apple while driving, reach for a banana, an orange apple and feel good about your choice.

Convenience stores are still known for Grab-N-Go food but it too is fast becoming ‘better for you’ food that you are finding in the Grab-N-Go section.  Not to worry convenience stores still have their fair share of less-than-optimal eats, many more now stock a surprising selection of fresh and healthy choices. Consumers are not just stopping by C-stores to refuel but as a destination for ‘better for you’ snacks including:

1.       Energy Bars

2.       Packs of Raw Nuts / Trail Mix

3.       Beef Jerky

4.       Low-fat Greek Yogurt

5.       Vegetable juice (V8)

6.       Single serve bags of baby carrots

7.       Fresh Fruit Cups

8.       String Cheese sticks

The halo of better for you food is beginning to engulf the Grab-N-Go focus within C-stores and consumers are responding positively.  If success does leave clues C-stores that bundle ‘better for you’ snack food with fresh prepared Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat grocerant offerings are sure to win. 

Are you trapped doing what you have always done and doing it the same way?  Interested in learning how Foodservice Solutions 5P’s of Food Marketing can edify your retail food brand while creating a platform for consumer convenient meal participation, differentiation and individualization?  Email us at: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us or visit:  www.FoodserviceSolutions.us for more information