Dole launches new kids range

The Dole Sunshine Company, a global market leader in packaged fruit products and healthy snacks, is delighted to announce the launch of a new range of mixed fruit in jelly, targeted specifically at kids.

The new range will be available to both grocery and convenience retailers from September onwards, with an RRP of just £1.79 for a pack of four, which offers retailers an attractive margin, with ambient storage and a long shelf life.

The new kids’ range is sugar free and will consist of two different skus, one with strawberry flavoured jelly and the other with orange flavoured jelly, both of which are made with 100% real fruit juice. Both skus also contain real fruit pieces of pineapple and papaya, in smaller portion sizes with fun packaging which will appeal to a younger audience. Perfect for either the lunchbox or as a healthy snack at home, they are high in Vitamin C and contain no artificial colours, flavours or sweeteners. Finally, both skus in the new range come with a Nutri score of ‘B’, to confirm to consumers that they are making a healthy choice.

Dole carried out detailed consumer testing in advance of the launch which revealed that jelly with fruit is seen by parents as an appealing and exciting option for their kids, with 89% of respondents agreeing ‘this product is good for my children’s health’ and 95% agreeing ‘this product is a convenient snack for my kids’. Dole will be supporting the launch with a strong marketing plan, incorporating PR, social media and in-store activations.

Andrew Bradshaw, UK Sales Director at the Dole Sunshine Company, comments “We’re excited to launch what we believe is a first to market, with a sugar free, allergy free fruit in jelly range aimed

specifically at children. At Dole, we firmly believe in good nutrition for all, and with the imminent return back to school, this launch is timed perfectly to help support parents to make healthier food choices in their children’s lunchboxes, at a price which is affordable for all. Furthermore, what makes this product special is the flavours have been chosen by kids, for kids. We partnered with a local primary school where all the year two and three kids tested and voted on the best flavour combinations. Both kids and parents loved the products with 96% wanting these products to be available at home for snacks – including two children who had significant allergies to artificial flavours and colours.”