SCHNUCK UNIT TRAINS ITS EYE ON FRESH SALAD STATION

ROSEANNE HARPER

ST. LOUIS -- Schnuck Markets here has introduced a station for fresh-made salads at one unit in the suburbs.

The station, near the front of the store, offers products in both service and self-service forms.

During peak hours, an associate cuts and tosses Caesar salads and other salads to order. An adjacent 8-foot case with stair-step shelves also offers packages of the salads to go. The products are packed in round clear containers. A small Caesar salad is $1.99; large, $3.99. A small Caesar salad with chicken is $2.99; large, $4.99. A small salad with shrimp is $3.29; large, $5.29. Small containers hold approximately 8 ounces, while the large items weigh twice that, a store-level source told SN.

An ad circular available in the store featured the new salad program on its front page. The quarter-page ad was dominated by a color photo of a huge bowl of Caesar salad with shrimp arranged on half of it and slices of chicken on the other half. In the background, a bowl of what appears to be field greens is shown. An olive oil can and a bottle of herbed vinegar stand nearby.

The ad is headlined "Fresh Salads Made to Order at Our New Salad Station!" This follows: "Caesar rules at the new salad station in our Ladue Crossing store. Stop by and enjoy a classic Caesar salad with our signature Caesar dressing, or have us toss a salad to order."

Officials at the 90-unit chain could not be reached for comment on the salad station. A store-level source said the three-week old program is a test. At present, most sales are from the self-service case, the source said.