Wasabi arugula, cilantro, chipotle. Soba noodles and quinoa. Chia seeds and brown sugar-coated pumpkin seeds. Applewood smoked bacon and Genoa salami. Such unexpected ingredients featured in greens and salad mixes, salad kits, and particularly salad bowls are driving brand trial, commanding higher price points, and boosting overall sales in this market. Exotic blends, products with an international flair, and restaurant-inspired recipes are among the new products featured in Branded Packaged Produce and Salads: U.S. Market Trends. The most compelling development is the increasing use of protein-rich foods and ingredients ' particularly poultry, smoked meats, and cheeses ' in salad kits and salad bowls as marketers respond to consumers' desire to incorporate more protein into their diets, a trend that is borne out by findings from Packaged Facts' proprietary consumer surveys. Other evolving consumer trends are propelling this market as well: the attempt to eat more fruits and vegetab...