As is happening elsewhere in North America, foodservice in Quebec is reinventing itself as a category, with even the word taking on new meanings in some sectors.
Grocery stores are stocking far more fresh-cut and processed items as well as meal kits and prepared meal options, while convenience stores and even dollar stores are stocking fresh fruit and vegetables.
Consumers have made it known they want convenience and wholesome choices, so Quebec retail venues from supermarkets, big box stores, and deep discounters to fast-casual and fine dining establishments are retooling menus and product lines and even offering new ways for shoppers to receive these items.
Partially in response to Amazon’s acquisition of Whole Foods, ready-made and value-added meal options are becoming more common in all major grocers in Quebec.
For example, Sobeys now offers Sobey’s Easy Meals, comprised of 35 different single-serve SKUs, while Metro Richelieu has recently acquired Miss Fresh, a ready-to-cook meal kit delivery service.
Beyond meal kits, Metro now offers same day delivery for online shoppers, deploying teams of “pickers” in its stores to carefully and quickly assemble baskets chosen from up to 25,000 SKUs, depending on the store.
And while there is still some resistance to having a supermarket associate or picker choose fresh fruits and other produce items for consumers, many shoppers have not only given it a try but are beginning to trust the process.
Once there’s a successful delivery—with quality, non-bruised and adequately ripe items, consumers are far more likely to order online again.
Another facet of the fresh produce universe revolves around organic produce. With more consistency in both availability and pricing, a growing number of consumers are willing to try organic versions of their favored products, and fruits and vegetables are often at the top of the list.
Unfortunately, sourcing and maintaining these organic items remain a challenge for retailers, particularly over the winter months in Canada (and the United States as a supplier).
According to Bernadette Hamel, Metro’s vice president for national procurement in produce, it can be a struggle.
“We definitely see an increase in demand for organic produce,” she said, noting a continual progression in shoppers looking for these items.
“We try to have a worldwide vision,” she adds, “as it helps us ensure a regular and stable supply, which can be sporadic sometimes. By carrying a full range of organic produce, we ensure we can meet all customers’ demands: those who occasionally buy organic produce, and for those who always do.”
This is an excerpt from the most recent Produce Blueprints quarterly journal. Click here to read the full article.
