Wegmans adds to veggie kit offerings

As consumer interest in veggie noodles grows, Wegmans has added new options to its prepped fresh vegetable kits.

The retailer recently introduced sweet potato noodles, beet noodles and butternut squash noodles, as well as cauliflower “rice.” According to a Wegman's spokesperson, the new products are available in all stores.

The spokesperson declined to provide further background about the veggie kits, citing Wegmans' policy not to provide information to trade publications.

The Rochester, N.Y.-based retailer's website lists the price of the new veggie noodle offerings at $6.99 for a one-pound package.

“We’ve experimented with new ways to cut and finish vegetables so they pack a lot of taste appeal,” Wegmans produce category merchant Joe Pucci said in a press release. “We started with squash planks — squash cut the long way and thin that you can grill or use to replace broad noodles in lasagna. That idea set off a chain reaction of new ideas from different areas of the company. Our Harrisburg team started making veggie spaghetti. Our New Jersey team came up with the cauliflower rice.”

Wegmans previously offered noodles made from green and yellow zucchini and red bell pepper.

“I give a lot of the credit to our people in the stores who demonstrate easy ways to finish the veggies, so customers have the confidence to do it at home themselves,” Pucci added.