KANSAS CITY — Consumer packaged goods companies are expanding their lines of prepared foods to provide consumers with convenient meal solutions.
Several new options have entered the plant-based category, including Kraft NotMac&Cheese from The Kraft Heinz Co.’s joint venture with TheNotCompany, Inc., which began in 2022. The plant-based option 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.
Meat alternative manufacturer Daring Foods introduced its first line of frozen entrees, which 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.
Celebrity chefs also are making headway with their own branded frozen entree lines.
In September 2023, Chef Gordon Ramsay launched his first line of frozen entrees under the By Chef Ramsay brand. 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 also 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.
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 all inspired by the comfort foods Ms. Brown ate growing up in the Southern United States, according to the company.
