SALISBURY, MD. — Perdue Farms is entering the direct-to-consumer space.

The company announced the launch of a new e-commerce site offering an assortment of frozen items across the Perdue, Niman Ranch, Coleman Natural, Sonoma Red and Skagit Red brands. Additional offerings will be added as demand increases.

Nearly half of all shoppers now buy perishables such as meat, produce and dairy items online, according to a global survey by retail analytics firm Precima. By mid-2020, a third of shoppers said they expect to spend more than 40% of their grocery budget online.

With more consumers buying food online, the direct-to-consumer market is beginning to capture the attention of food manufacturers. Companies including Nestle and Unilever have entered the space recently in an effort to bolster sales and attract younger consumers.

“As both online shopping and the demand for convenience show no signs of slowing down, we felt it was important to be in this space,” said David Zucker, senior vice-president of e-commerce and new ventures at Perdue Farms. “We’re excited that this is the first time we’ve been able to offer so many of our brands in one place, nationally.”

The new web site has several sustainability initiatives, including 100% recyclable packaging. Each order comes with a reusable shopping tote and a packet of bee- and butterfly-friendly seeds. Foam insulation used in packaging is made from water-soluble cornstarch, which may be composted or disintegrated under running water.

The company also will make a donation to the Arbor Day Foundation with each order to offset the shipment’s carbon footprint. This equates to removing approximately 70 lbs of CO₂ from the atmosphere per order, the company said.

“We are always listening to our consumers and striving to provide them with solutions that fit easily into their lifestyle,” said Randy Day, chief executive officer at Perdue Farms. “That includes not only offering the differentiated products people love, but also making the products available to buy through the channels where they prefer to shop.