DOLE PROMOTES VALUE-ADDED SALAD, FRUITS

SALINAS, Calif. -- In an effort to boost consumption of commodity produce along with value-added salads, Dole Fresh Vegetable Co. here is launching a summer promotion that offers shoppers savings on fresh fruits and vegetables with the purchase of Dole salads.

s will receive 50 cents off the purchase of peppers, cucumbers, zucchini or tomatoes, and $1 off grapes or apples.

According to the company, the program is designed to be flexible for retailers, who can mix and match the point-of-sale materials throughout the summer.

"At Dole, we feel the entire produce department is important and wanted to implement a program that would boost sales throughout," said Nancy Tubbs, senior marketing manager.

The tear sheets include recipes and tips on how to use the commodity produce in different types of salads. For example, the tear sheet for grapes suggests tossing grapes and apple slices with Dole's complete spinach bacon salad, or topping Dole Classic Salad with grapes and chopped walnuts.

Dole Fresh Vegetable Co., a division of Dole Food Co., markets value-added salads as well as fresh fruits and vegetables.