Coborn’s begins pilot program of salad bars with an edge

Coborn’s Inc. is getting into the high-tech business with its salad bars. 

The St. Cloud, Minn.-based grocer is teaming with Swedish salad company Picadelli to offer next-generation salad bars at two of its stores in Sauk Rapids and Waite Park, and soon a total of 15 locations will be involved in the pilot program. 

The salad bars use digital signage and touch screens to show nutritional values of all ingredients and temperature-controlled food compartments to ensure food safety and less food waste. 

“This salad bar features innovative technology to keep food safe and prioritizes variety and proper food hygiene,” said Dennis Host, senior vice president of Marketing and Communications for Coborn’s. “During the COVID pandemic, we were forced to close almost all of our self-service salad bar offerings to ensure our guests’ safety.” 

The salad bar constantly rotates menu items for new options and offers seasonal varieties, and also offers plant-based proteins, grains, and seafood. 

Temperature hood sensors, shielding hoods, and an air flow refrigeration system are other features of the salad bar. 

Coborn’s Inc. has more than 135 stores spread throughout the Midwest.