Del Monte hopes its new cup-sized packs of fresh Hass avocado pulp will help boost the fruit's consumption among time-poor customers.

The company said new 20z packs were just the right size for school lunch boxes, for a quick sandwich spread or a single serve dip.

Marketing vice president Dennis Christou, said the preservative and additive-free packs would complement the company's existing whole Hass avocados.

"It's great for for consumers who live fast-paced lives and don’t have time to prepare an avocado but still want that great fresh Hass avocado taste and nutritional benefits.

"It will also help initiate trial for those who may never have purchased avocados before and are not quite sure about how to pick, prepare, or use them."

He said he saw the packs as a way to help increase sales and consumption across the entire avocado category.

Each pack has colorful graphics, nutrition information and a QR code that customers can scan to get recipe ideas. The product recently gained a superior taste award from the International Taste and Quality Institute.

"Avocado and  fresh guacamole products have seen incredible growth in the last few years and there is still room for development," said Christou.

www.freshfruitportal.com