New products range from celebrity chef-endorsed products to plant-based options.
The Kraft Heinz Co. launched its first plant-based Kraft Mac & Cheese offering. Developed as part of The Kraft Heinz Not Co. joint venture with TheNotCompany, Inc. initiated in 2022, Kraft NotMac&Cheese aims to capitalize on the growth in macaroni and cheese products in the better-for-you segment. Varieties include Kraft NotMac&Cheese original and Kraft NotMac&Cheese white cheddar.
Plant-based chicken producer Daring Foods launched its first line of frozen entrees. The meals are aimed at health-conscious consumers seeking convenient plant protein options. Daring’s gluten-free entrees contain 16 grams of protein, between 350 to 460 calories and are ready to serve after less than four minutes in the microwave.
Each frozen entree features one of Daring’s unbreaded chicken alternatives, formulated from soy protein concentrate, and varieties include:
Golden West Food Group and Kardea Brown, chef and host of the Food Network’s “Delicious Miss Brown” television series, partnered to launch a line of frozen entrees under the Delicious Eats by Kardea Brown label. The line offers convenient meal options that are inspired by the comfort foods Brown ate growing up in the Southern United States, according to the company. Entree varieties include country kitchen fried chicken, chicken pot pie, chicken fettucine alfredo and sausage with grits.
Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay launched his first line of frozen entrees under the By Chef Ramsay brand. The meals were developed to provide restaurant-quality meals in an affordable and convenient format. Products under the By Chef Ramsay label include lasagna, chicken pot pie, shepherd's pie, mushroom risotto, fish and chips, lemon caper chicken and more.
Chef and television host Guy Fieri launched Guy Fieri’s Flavortown, a line of frozen entrees, at Walmart locations nationwide. The line includes a cheesy chicken enchilada bowl, sloppy joe macaroni and cheese, pepperoni pizza lasagna, and sweet and sour pork.
TGI Fridays expanded its line of frozen food offerings with four new entrees. Now included in the line are whiskey-glazed chicken and mashed potatoes, spicy Cajun-style chicken fettuccine alfredo, spinach and artichoke sauce chicken and rice and whiskey-glazed pulled pork mac and cheese.
“We are excited about extending the TGI Fridays brand in the frozen meal category,” said Kathleen Schloth, senior vice president of Brand Licensing. “These new entrees bring restaurant quality and innovation to the frozen aisle, providing convenience and ‘That Fridays Feeling’ to enjoy at home.”
Wicked Kitchen, a plant-based food brand, expanded its line of frozen entrees with two new offerings. Joining the company’s portfolio of frozen pizzas, macaroni and cheese, ice cream and seafood alternatives, are the additions of Hearty Rigatoni Veg Bolognese, made with lentils, beans, a vegan cheese alternative and a Beyond Meat plant-based alternative, and Rockin’ Chili Mac, featuring black beans, vegan cheddar-style cheese and a Beyond Meat alternative.
The expansion came as part of Wicked Kitchen’s launching its frozen entree line into Target stores nationwide.
“We’re proud to have Wicked Kitchen products available in Target as it’s another step toward giving more access to plant-based foods to consumers,” said Pete Speranza, chief executive officer of Wicked Kitchen. “It is validating to have such strong retailers believe in our mission and in the future of plant-based foods as we continue to lead plant-based innovations with flavor-forward products that appeal to vegans and omnivores alike.”
Herdez, a Hormel Foods Corp. brand, expanded its line of Mexican refrigerated entrees: Barbacoa Shredded Beef in Sauce.
The heat-and-eat product features slow-cooked beef mixed with orange and lime juice, paprika and a Mexican-inspired spice blend. Herdez’s convenience-focused offering is ready-to-serve after 10 minutes of heating, and each serving contains 11 grams of protein. The barbacoa variety marks the first entry into Herdez’ refrigerated entrees since the product line launched in April.
The burger features a quarter-pound patty formulated from plant protein, which mimics the beefy flavor and texture of conventional meat, according to the company. Each patty contains 42% less fat than a cooked ground beef burger and 21 grams of protein. MorningStar’s burger is ready to serve after five minutes of cooking on the stovetop, oven or in the microwave.
Amy’s Kitchen added a new mealtime solution to the freezer aisle with the launch of six family-size entrees.
Featuring a new packaging design, the entrees are ideal for three to four people and come in six varieties, including:
Raybern’s, a subsidiary of Premium Brands Holdings Corp., relaunched its line of New York-style frozen deli sandwiches with updated ingredients and packaging. The overhauled offerings include roast beef and cheddar, now on a poppy seed roll, Philly cheesesteak, chicken bacon ranch and barbecue pulled pork. Additionally, Raybern’s is bringing back its ham and cheese sandwich as part of the relaunch.
Arcadia Biosciences, Inc. began shipping a new GoodWheat branded product, mac and cheese, to retailers in November and expects to make the high-fiber item available via e-commerce in February. One serving of GoodWheat mac and cheese has four times the fiber of the leading macaroni and cheese brand and 12 grams of protein, according to Arcadia. It will be available in three varieties: classic cheddar, white cheddar and three cheese.
May
2024
Spring has sprung—with new sandwiches.
New product introductions tap into trending consumer flavors.