Dole announces move towards wellness with 11 new product launches

Dole Packaged Foods has announced major plans to accelerate the 170-year-old company’s transformation into a purpose-led, nutrition and wellness company starting with 11 new product launches this year.

This transformation will be driven by a newly formed leadership team in North America composed of four women, a mix of recently hired and tenured executives with extensive background and expertise in the areas of brand building and product development.

The new product launches will be designed with the Dole Promise in mind – “crafting great-tasting products without processed sugars, increasing access to fruit-based nutrition, decreasing food waste, working to reduce plastic and carbon emissions, and growing value for all partners and stakeholders”, the company said in a statement.

Driven by consumer desire for wholesome food options that deliver on taste, the company is launching new innovations across every category – Snacking, Beverages, Ingredients and Frozen Treats – and entering new categories like Functional Supplements and Probiotic Sodas under a new brand.

Highlights on the new product innovation horizon include:

Dole Good Crunch, sustainably produced dehydrated pineapple and banana bites that pack a crunch and provide nutrition benefits; as well as Dole Wiggles Fruit Juice Gels, a wholesome and nutritious take on the classic treat crafted with 100% fruit juice, according to the company.

The company will also introduce Dole Light Pineapple Juice Drink, with just 40 calories per can and 60% less sugar and calories than regular 100% pineapple juice, as well as a Pineapple Mango Juice, a tropical, sweet blend of pineapple and mango.

To support gut health, the soon-to-launch Dole Digestive Bliss Fruit Juice Drink is 50% fruit juice, boosted with plant-based macronutrients, the company said.

In the frozen category, Dole will introduce Dole Whip, a tropical frozen treat which will soon be available in three flavours including pineapple, mango, and strawberry.

It is also relaunching its Boosted Blends Smoothies, delivering added protein, energy, and cognitive benefits according to the company. It will also be relaunching Smoothie Bowls with exotic fruits like mango and mangosteen, and strawberry and aronia and its Acai Bowls.

The Secret Nature of Fruit Chews and Probiotic Sodas, a new brand of functional fruit-powered vitamin chews and probiotic sodas will complete the line-up.

According to a press release, this team brings years of global experience from CPG companies such as Grupo Bimbo, Johnson & Johnson, Colgate-Palmolive, and Nestle. Senior Vice President and Managing Director Orzse Hodi, who joined Dole in 2021, leads the team in the United States. Hodi is joined by Nora Witt and Jennifer Hirano who will lead Marketing, and Kimberly Galante who leads R&D.

Hodi and her team will collaborate globally with Vice President of Category Development Peewee Dizon and Senior Director of Dole Ventures Barbara Guerpillon to ensure maximum impact across global markets.

“I am thrilled to work with this talented and driven group of women to bring innovative and delicious products to our consumers here in North America,” Ms Hodi said. “We have made great progress towards the goals of the Dole Promise since it was introduced in 2020, but there is still much work to be done. I’m looking forward to making even more meaningful strides with this team of change makers to bring sunshine and good nutrition to all.”

The Dole Promise

In June 2020, the Dole promise was announced with its three pillars around nutrition, sustainability, and the creation of shared value.

Better for People: Access to sustainable nutrition for 1 billion people by 2025, moving towards zero processed sugar in all Dole Packaged Foods products by 2025.

Better for Planet: Working towards zero fruit loss from Dole farms by 2025, aiming for zero fossil-based plastic packaging by 2025. Working towards net zero carbon emissions in Dole operations by 2030.

Better for Stakeholders: Dole will continue to positively impact all farmers, communities and people who work for it – through its commitment to equal opportunity, living wages, and an ever-increasing level of safety, nutrition, and wellbeing. The company also seeks to advance human rights within the direct operations and supply chains by building a culture of transparency and accountability. The company also aims for a 50% increase in the value of its business by 2025.

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