World's Largest Producer of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Names Washington, D.C. Among the Top 2010 Salad Markets in the U.S.

The internal study, conducted by Dole Fresh Vegetables, ranked Washington, D.C., among the top 2010 salad markets in the United States. This means that local residents eat more salad per person than their counterparts in other U.S. cities, have the potential to eat more salad and/or are more likely to try new salad blends, experiment with salad and salad ingredients in the kitchen or serve salad as a meal.

According to the release, the exhaustive, 18-month research effort, which was part of the company's relaunch of its reinvented DOLE Salads and All Natural DOLE Salad Kit lines, surveyed the in-store buying habits and in-home consumption trends of pre-packaged salad consumers throughout the United States and Canada. 

"Despite its reputation for local cuisine, Washington, D.C., is among the most sophisticated salad markets in the country and home to an increasing number of salad lovers," said Chris Mayhew, senior brand manager for Dole Fresh Vegetables. "Our research found that salad consumers here are much more likely to use salad as a meal or as the basis for creative new lunch and dinner entrees. From a salad standpoint, the Nation's Capital is a trendsetter." 

As part of its ongoing mission to get Americans eating salad again, and facing new evidence showing that Americans are less interested in salads at a time when the latest health research suggests they need them the most, Dole late last year launched its re-imagined bagged salad line designed to reignite the country's consumption of fresh, pre-packaged salad blends and kits. 

DO YOU KNOW THE TOP 2010 SALAD DMAs in the UNITED STATES?

Determined via private research conducted by Dole Fresh Vegetables and based on a combination of per-capita consumption, consumption potential and local consumer willingness to try new salad blends and experiment with salads in the kitchen. Markets are listed in alphabetical order.