Meat dominated the fresh perimeter in 2024, reaching a record $105 billion in sales with 98.2% household penetration. According to the 2025 Power of Meat report, grinds as a category grew to nearly $18 billion in sales, driven by consumers seeking versatile and affordable protein options.¹ As grocery shoppers increasingly seek flavor, variety, value and convenience in meat, ground sausage is an opportunity for stores to further grow their grind offerings.
Coleman All Natural Meats, the leading legacy all-natural meat brand since 1875, recently launched five ground sausage varieties that are perfectly positioned to deliver high protein, flavor-filled meals that are also affordable and convenient. Available in Mild Sweet Italian, Hot Italian, Mild Breakfast, Hot Breakfast, and Chorizo varieties, these sausage grinds have bold flavor profiles that reflect current market trends.
Coleman ground sausage are made from premium Heritage Duroc pork. Known for its abundant marbling, Heritage Duroc is a more tender, juicy and flavorful pork. Coleman sources its pork exclusively from U.S. farm partners who are American Humane Certified and use no antibiotics ever or added hormones.
“We identified a clear opportunity at the intersection of protein demand, flavor exploration, transparency and meal convenience,” explains Patricia Bridges, senior director of marketing for Coleman All Natural Meats. “Pre-seasoned sausage grinds overcome shopper hesitations to trying new meats, while delivering the protein, convenience, affordability and flavors consumers actively seek in the meat case.”
Source: Coleman All Natural Meats
Premium Positioning, Packaging and Claims
Millennials, who drive 62% of new meat department sales, prefer right-sized portions that prevent waste while enabling meal variety. This demographic shift fundamentally changes how products need to be positioned, packaged, and promoted.
Coleman’s sausage grinds are available prepacked in one-pound packages with new branding that highlights claims including no antibiotics ever, no added hormones, and humanely raised in the US by locally owned family farms. The brand’s “Protein Perfected” messaging targets protein-conscious shoppers, while the flavor profiles and under 10-minute cook time position the products as convenient yet an elevated option for everyday meals.
Each variety maintains the brand’s high standards: no antibiotics ever, no added hormones, no artificial ingredients or preservatives and American Humane Certified. This transparency resonates with the 50% of consumers who say they feel positively about humane animal raising practices and seek verification of claims.
The Coleman brand captures consumer trust and drives pork sales by highlighting a 150-year history of industry leadership and direct relationships with American farmers — qualities that set it apart from competitors.
Source: Coleman All Natural Meats
Grocer Benefits: Cross-Merchandising and Operational Efficiency
Ground sausage offers distinct advantages for retailers. Pre-seasoned flavors command premium pricing while maintaining velocity. And unlike single-purpose proteins, sausage grinds work across dayparts, from breakfast scrambles to lunches and dinner entrees. This versatility emphasizes value and drives incremental purchases. One pound of Italian sausage can work for Tuesday’s pasta sauce, Wednesday’s pizza topping, and Saturday’s omelette. This multi-meal capability resonates with budget-conscious shoppers, and for retailers, creates cross-merchandising opportunities throughout the store. Italian varieties pair naturally with pasta and jarred sauces in center store. Chorizo displays can drive incremental sales next to tortillas and salsa, and breakfast sausage cross-sells with eggs and cheese in the dairy section.
Coleman’s ground sausage ships frozen with the option for “Slack and Sell” refrigerated merchandising. The operational benefits of sausage grinds include U.S. supply chain transparency, consistent year-round availability, standardized one-pound packaging and extended shelf life to reduce shrink.
For meat department managers and category buyers, ground sausage offers an important opportunity to increase shopper spend and improve margins.
Source: Coleman All Natural Meats
Coleman All Natural Meats produces all-natural fresh and prepared meats with no antibiotics ever or added hormones, sourced from American farmers and served to American families across the country. As one of the largest humanely raised crate free pork producers and one of only two pork companies that are American Humane Certified, the company pioneers high standards for animal care and quality ingredients which have been part of the Coleman family business since 1875.
