Fresh Express Launches Mediterranean-Inspired Chopped Kit—Driving Innovation in Value-Add Category
August 6, 2025 | 2 min to read
Fresh Express® is set to launch its latest Chopped Kit, Mediterranean Herb, on September 24, 2025. This innovative product aligns with the growing popularity of Mediterranean flavors, which are currently the #7 flavor in the U.S., escalating 30% annually. Incorporating a colorful mix of greens, crispy chickpeas, and feta, it includes a zesty lemon and oregano vinaigrette. The Chopped Kits segment continues to thrive, comprising over 23% of the Value Added Salad category, reflecting a strong consumer demand.
As the undisputed leader in the Value Added Salad (VAS) category, Fresh Express® is once again delivering innovation to produce aisles with the launch of its newest Chopped Kit: Mediterranean Herb, hitting shelves nationwide on September 24, 2025.
This globally inspired kit is a fresh take on one of the fastest-growing flavor profiles in the country—Mediterranean is the #7 flavor nationally and growing 30% year-over-year. Crafted with a vibrant mix of kale, green cabbage, red cabbage, carrots, and green leaf lettuce, and topped with crispy chickpeas and creamy feta, the kit is finished with a zesty lemon and oregano vinaigrette.
Why it matters for the industry:
- Chopped Kits are now the largest segment in the VAS category, growing from just 5% in 2014 to over 23% today.
- The segment grew +10.6% YOY, proving resilient even during inflationary periods.
- Fresh Express alone commands 22.4% of its sales from Chopped Kits, with Chopped Caesar ranking as the #12 item in the entire VAS category at $64M in annual sales.
This new kit has already tested high with consumers, earning an 80% Purchase Intent score in concept testing—reinforcing that globally inspired, premium ingredient kits are what today’s shoppers are craving.