With Thanksgiving being celebrated today, it's a big week for U.S. food retailers. "Tuesday, Wednesday, and even Thursday are very, very busy days in the store," says Dan Weis with The Fresh Market. "Today, our store is open until 3:00 pm and many customers will come in for lastminute shopping."
It's the holiday for the produce department to shine. Sweet potatoes are the number one produce item for Thanksgiving and part of about every Thanksgiving meal. In addition, herbs like rosemary, sage, and thyme are very popular. "Rosemary is used with roasted potatoes, sage is used for the stuffing, and thyme is a key ingredient in gravies and used on vegetables as well," shared Weis.
Store display with sweet potatoes.
Green beans are another key ingredient during any Thanksgiving meal. "They've been selling for every holiday since the 1950s," said Weis. "At that time, Campbell introduced the green bean casserole, a dish that is still popular today." Brussels sprouts are also a popular ingredient, driven by their versatility as they can be boiled, sauteed, or roasted. Asparagus is favored as it brings a vibrant color to the table.
Pre-cooked meals
Increasing in popularity are full Thanksgiving meals. These meals come with a pre-cooked turkey and everything else has been fully cooked. "Last year, our store sold over 700 meals, and we are expecting that number to go up to 900 meals this year," commented Weis. One meal will feed a family of six to eight people.
In the produce department, different displays promote the most popular items and make suggestions for good pairings.
For more information:
Dan Weis
The Fresh Market
www.thefreshmarket.com