Kevin's Natural Foods has significantly increased its sous vide output to meet the rising demand for convenient and fresh grocery meat options. The company, now owned by Mars Inc., expanded its sous vide lineup by upgrading its beef cut to top sirloin and introducing new flavors such as Honey Garlic Beef, Sirloin Beef Tips with Gravy, and Chimichurri Beef. This move, according to Kevin McCray, president and co-founder, has boosted the adoption of their beef entrées, now available in major retailers like Costco, Whole Foods, Target, Publix, and Walmart.
Looking ahead, Kevin's plans to launch a line of frozen, single-serve sous-vide entrées in the spring. These meals, packaged in compostable bowls, combine sous-vide proteins, signature sauces, vegetables, and starches for an ultra-convenient meal ready in under five minutes. The sous vide category has seen increased distribution and consumer awareness since Kevin's inception in 2019.
Frozen Sous-Vide Entrees
Kevin’s Natural Foods Debuts New Collection of Sous-Vide Entrees
Trend Themes
1. Frozen Sous-vide Convenience - The introduction of single-serve frozen sous-vide entrees represents a merging of high-quality cooking techniques with the demand for ultra-convenient meal solutions.
2. Compostable Packaging Innovation - Using compostable bowls for frozen meals indicates an evolution towards sustainable packaging solutions in the convenience food sector.
3. Expanded Flavor Profiles - Introducing new flavors like Honey Garlic Beef and Chimichurri Beef showcases the push towards variety and gourmet experiences in ready-to-eat meals.
Industry Implications
1. Convenience Foods - Expansion of sous-vide technology within frozen single-serve meals underscores growth in the ready-to-eat food market aiming at busy consumers.
2. Sustainable Packaging - The adoption of compostable packaging in frozen food products highlights the industry's shift towards environmentally friendly solutions.
3. Grocery Retail - Wider availability of gourmet sous-vide entrees in major retailers like Whole Foods and Target reflects increased consumer demand for premium grocery items.