Backyard barbecues will soon be lighting up with everything from melons to mushrooms, and knowing how to merchandise is key to pushing product and driving sales. When it comes to grilling, the versatility of fresh produce is endless, which is why we’ve connected with several category captains to hear their insights on bringing the heat this summer, and why barbecuing isn’t just for meat anymore…
“Fire up the grill with LIV Produce’s organic sweet potatoes and tender acorn and butternut squash—smoky-charred slices that caramelize to sweet, creamy perfection. Toss wedges with olive oil, sea salt, and cracked pepper, grill until char lines appear, then finish with a squeeze of lemon or a sprinkle of fresh herbs. Add slow-caramelized LIV Produce yellow and white organic onions for a buttery, sweet-savory topper that elevates every BBQ plate.”
“Vidalia® onions are a summer cookout staple, prized for their versatility and flavor. Mild enough to enjoy raw on salads, burgers, and hot dogs, Vidalias are an obvious choice to enhance these summer BBQ favorites with little to no prep work. Because they also grill or roast beautifully alongside peppers, mushrooms, summer squash, and potatoes, retailers can utilize Vidalia onions to anchor displays in the produce department. We recommend merchandising Vidalias in meat department displays as well to inspire and create meal solutions for shoppers. No matter how you slice it, Vidalia onions are a key seasonal ingredient sure to sweeten every cookout.”
“When the grills come out, shoppers look for more than just burgers. Give your customers the premium, organic crunch they crave with 4Earth Farms™. On the grill, shoppers can elevate the main course with the perfect smoky char. Stock our organic chiles, mini sweet peppers, zucchini, and green onions, all essential for bringing bold, flame-kissed flavor to the backyard. Stock up on 4Earth Farms this season and turn your produce department into the ultimate barbecue destination!”
“Our tray-pack sweet corn delivers a sweet, healthy, and fresh option that’s ready for shoppers—no prep required. Cross-merchandise with fresh herbs, citrus, marinades, and grilling seasonings to inspire easy summer meals. Add recipe cards or signage featuring ideas like street corn, smoky corn salsa, or charred corn salad to drive engagement. Convenient and colorful, tray-pack sweet corn makes it simple for customers to create flavorful dishes while boosting basket size.
Sweet, Fresh, and Ready to Grill—We’ve Done the Prep for You!”
“Bako Sweet® will once again offer retailers BBQ-themed, in-store promotions to help shoppers sweeten their everyday® by providing them with creative ways to utilize sweet potatoes. Bako Sweet’s sweet potatoes can be cross-promoted with other summer grilling products including onions, bell peppers, and zucchini for Grilled Sweet Potato Kebabs or adding a fun twist on classic s’mores with chocolate squares, marshmallows, and graham crackers. Sweet potatoes are an excellent healthy and nutritious choice for grilling due to their flavor and versatility. By showcasing our Bako Sweet four-pack trays and colorful bags of sweet potatoes, along with other ingredients, it reminds shoppers how easy it is to integrate our sweet potatoes into easy-to-prepare meal and dessert dishes.”
“Barbecue merchandising shouldn’t stop at the meat counter. Build the experience by cross merchandising onions and garlic next to rubs, briquettes, and marinades, where shoppers are already planning the grill. Put flavor front and center by highlighting the distinct taste profiles of onion varieties. Sweet onions for caramelizing burgers, cipollini for rich char on skewers, crispy shallots for a savory finishing crunch. When onions are merchandised for flavor rather than just function, produce becomes a true driver of barbecue inspiration.”
“I’m still chasing the perfect burger which is frustrating, because I can’t even replicate my own favorite one. Everyone argues about the meat, but the real failure is usually the lettuce. Too big, too floppy, no crunch… tragic. Stack Pack from Church Brothers fixes that. Perfect size, perfect bite, consistently clean, and no drama at your prep station. If your burger is worth doing right, the leaf should be too. Otherwise you’re just eating a sandwich with commitment issues.”
“With barbecue season here, mushrooms may not be the first thing you think of - but we’re changing that. Our rich, hearty mushrooms are the perfect addition alongside your favorite proteins or as a satisfying vegetarian option. We’ve made BBQ season even easier with our Grill Packs, complete with seasoning packets and three bold flavors: Steak Seasoning, Smoky Honey Habanero, and Brown Sugar Bourbon. Just toss them on the grill and enjoy. Perfect for meat lovers, vegetarians, and everyone in between, these mushrooms bring something special to every barbecue table.”
“Whether it’s on the grill or in vibrant side dishes that complement grilled proteins, fresh produce is a must at any BBQ. Perfectly charred asparagus is a classic favorite, offering a subtle sweetness and a crisp-tender bite. Bell peppers and eggplant are also excellent on the grill, making flavorful additions to kebabs. For more adventurous grillers, may I suggest fruit? Pineapple and nectarines, for example, develop beautiful caramelization on the grill, which enhances their natural sweetness and adds depth of flavor. We have several BBQ-friendly DulceVida™ nectarine recipes in our toolkit, and our team is always ready to collaborate with retailers on in-store or online promotions that inspire consumers with fresh ideas for grilling season.” 
