Ready Pac Foods, an Irwindale, Calif.-based subsidiary of Bonduelle, expanded into the fresh meal category with the introduction of its new Fresh Prep'd brand of fresh meals, including soup kits and wrap kits.

"We saw a great opportunity to diversify the company's offerings, and provide consumers with the convenient meal options they are looking for, especially as sales of products in the perimeter of the grocery store continue to grow," says Tony Sarsam, chief executive officer. "The new Fresh Prep'd brand falls in line with our overall business strategy to gain market share in the growing fresh prepared foods category beyond salads."

According to custom research conducted by Ready Pac Foods, consumers struggle to find solutions that meet all of their needs for convenient, fresh, healthy and great-tasting meals. They told the company that options available today throughout the grocery store often force them to compromise on one or more of these important needs, foregoing great taste for convenience or healthy options for flavor.

"In developing the Fresh Prep'd brand, we wanted to create an easy alternative to lackluster desk lunches and unhealthy fast food," says Galit Feinreich, chief marketing officer. "With more than 75% of households in the U.S. purchasing fresh prepared foods, our Fresh Prep'd options enable consumers to have a delicious, healthy and convenient meal at a great value."

Fresh Prep'd soup kits are said to be the first of its kind in the fresh soup category, and are created with broths, on-trend ingredient combinations and fresh vegetables.

Fresh Prep'd wrap kits feature high-quality ingredients, bold sauces and vegetables, many inspired by the company's Bistro Bowl varieties.