There’s usually something new to think about in the prepared salad section, even if it is only to wonder at the imagination of marketing departments who describe the contents. It is often also necessary to study the small print on the packaging.

Sainsbury’s, for example, has introduced Bull’s Blood chard into one of its selections, while Marks & Spencer now has trademarked lettuce in its 55g baby leaf, Italian-style salad, priced at £1.

The mix includes 35 per cent each of Rosini and baby Lambada lettuce, alongside the more familiar all purpose wild rocket (18 per cent) and a touch of lamb’s lettuce.

Staying within the vegetable sector, the wintery conditions have meant that southern European sources have come to the fore, with Italian organic spinach at £1.89 for 200g filling a gap at Waitrose, which has also added the description “green” to its 235g bags of Spanish pak choi.

The chances of temperatures dropping before the spring gets underway are pretty high, so root vegetables still occupy a major place on the shelves.

Butternut squash has already made the transition to becoming part of the diced and prepared range, and Tesco has recently added sweet potato to its 415g mix at £1.50.

Carry-home potato packs are also increasing in popularity with Sainsbury’s selling a 7.5kg stitched kraft bag at £1.79. The lesser-known Sovereign variety also carries the brand name Earth’s Harvest.

With customers’ thoughts still turning to a winter holiday, South Africa is being given a promotional boost through Tesco’s “Ripen at home” yellow flesh Transvalia peach punnet, which contains five fruit for £1.97. The netted container includes not just a recipe leaflet with tips on seasonality and varieties, but combines this with a prize draw for five holidays simply by sending back the South African flag logo on the material.

The winners, however, will have to wait a while, as the competition does not close until September.

Also arriving from Africa, Sainsbury’s has turned to Senegal, heralding the country as a new source for its Charentais melons at £2.49 each.

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