Dole Whip Expands Retail Offerings with New Flavor and Format
HOSPITALITY
Consumers can now enjoy Dole Whip in three tropical flavors made with real fruit.
Dole Whip Expands Retail Offerings with New Flavor and Format
Dole Packaged Foods has expanded its Dole Whip retail line with a new tropical flavor and wider distribution across national grocery chains. The dairy-free frozen dessert, now available in three fruit-based flavors, aims to establish a new category in the frozen aisle positioned between traditional ice cream and fruit-only options.
Tropical Guava Passion Joins Lineup
The new Tropical Guava Passion flavor combines guava and passion fruit in a smooth, creamy texture. This addition joins the existing Pineapple and Mango varieties, all made with real fruit and natural flavors. The desserts contain no dairy or high fructose corn syrup.
Mike Secor, VP of Marketing for Dole Packaged Foods US, described the product as addressing an unmet need in the frozen dessert market. "It's a moment of sunshine, smooth, creamy, vibrant, made with real fruit, and unlike anything else on the market," Secor said. "That's why this isn't just a new product launch. It's a category disruption."
New Category Positioning
Dole positions the retail product as distinct from ice cream, sorbet, sherbet, or gelato. The company describes it as creating a new frozen dessert category anchored in fruit-first indulgence while maintaining the creamy texture consumers expect from premium frozen treats.
The product's formulation removes high fructose corn syrup while achieving creaminess without dairy ingredients. It is manufactured on a line that also processes milk, according to product labeling.
Retail Distribution Expansion
Dole Whip is now available at select locations of major retailers including Albertsons, Harris Teeter, Publix, Ralphs, Stop & Shop, Hannaford, and Target. Costco will carry the product for a limited time this spring as a seasonal offering.
The expansion represents a significant increase in retail presence for a product that previously had limited availability outside theme parks and specialty locations. The move brings the frozen dessert into regular grocery freezer aisles nationwide.
Product Development Strategy
The retail expansion follows consumer demand for the product in home formats. Dole developed the line to deliver the texture and flavor profile of its foodservice product in packaging suitable for home freezers.
Each flavor is formulated to deliver recognizable tropical fruit taste. The Pineapple variety offers bright pineapple flavor, the Mango version features ripe mango sweetness, and the new Tropical Guava Passion combines aromatic tropical fruit notes.
Market Opportunity
The frozen dessert market has seen growth in dairy-free and fruit-based alternatives as consumers seek options that align with dietary preferences and ingredient transparency. Dole's entry leverages its established position in fruit products to compete in the premium frozen dessert segment.
By emphasizing real fruit content and eliminating dairy and high fructose corn syrup, Dole addresses consumer preferences for recognizable ingredients and fruit-forward flavors. The product aims to capture purchases from consumers seeking indulgent treats that incorporate fruit as a primary ingredient.
Brand Alignment
The Dole Whip retail launch aligns with the company's broader Dole Beliefs framework focusing on Brighter Product, Brighter Planet, and Brighter Today. This approach emphasizes sustainable practices, agricultural responsibility, and nutrition through fruit-based products.
Dole Packaged Foods operates as a global leader in growing, sourcing, distributing, and marketing fruit-based snacks across beverage, snacks, frozen, and pantry categories. The company offers packaged shelf-stable fruit, frozen fruit, dried fruit, and juices with distribution worldwide.
Consumer Access
Consumers can locate Dole Whip products at participating retailers through the store locator on DoleSunshine.com. The website provides information on product availability, flavors, and nutritional details.
The retail expansion represents Dole's strategy to extend a recognized product into mainstream grocery channels, bringing what was previously a specialty experience into regular home consumption. The company continues to develop its frozen dessert offerings based on consumer response and retail partner feedback.
For more information about Dole Packaged Foods and its product lines, visit dolesunshine.com.