The votes are in for Refrigerated & Frozen Foods’ Readers’ Choice Best New Retail Products contest. Congratulations to the Top 5 processors, and thank you to all of our readers for your participation.
Colorado Premium Foods: Aged, perfectly portioned steaks & beef tips—12,710 votes.
Colorado Premium Foods, Greeley, Colo., nabbed the highest amount of votes ever in the four years of this contest running for its new line of aged, perfectly-portioned steaks and beef tips, thanks in part to a marriage between the company’s Truly Simple brand and the Certified Angus Beef brand. The company’s butchers expertly portion, trim and age the Truly Simple products for richer flavor in each 4-ounce serving. Center-cut ribeye, striploin and sirloin steaks are cut 1.5 inches thick and merchandised two steaks per package. Rib cap filet, flat iron filet and aged beef tips offer two servings per 8-ounce package. Go to http://bit.ly/1PnRFmy to read an exclusive interview with Kevin LaFleur, president.
CleverFoodies: Scramble mix for meal solutions—7,445 votes.
CleverFoodies, Burlington, Vt., is said to pioneer a new category in the dairy aisle with the launch of Scramble, an innovative line of small batch-cooked mix of vegetables, herbs and spices; just add to eggs for scrambles, omelets or frittatas. Scramble comes in Leafy Greens, Rancheros and Mediterranean, and boasts just 60 calories per serving. It can be found next to the eggs at more than 2,000 retailers, including all Publix and 32 Price Chopper/Market supermarkets, as well as many ShopRite locations nationwide for a suggested retail price of $3.99-4.99. Go to http://bit.ly/1TYfBMi to read an exclusive interview with Warren Wilson, Jr., co-founder.
Old Orchard Brands: Blend-and-serve mixers—3,414 votes.
Old Orchard Brands, Sparta, Mich., introduced a new line of frozen blend-and-serve mixers in Margarita, Piña Colada and Strawberry Daiquiri varieties. Made with real fruit juice, each mixer makes up to six 8-ounce servings. Just blend in rum or water to create a refreshing drink. All three varieties come in 12-ounce plastic cans with a suggested retail price of $1.98 each. They can be found at Walmart and other retailers nationwide. Go to http://bit.ly/24l0JtO to read an exclusive interview with Kevin Miller, vice president of marketing.
MELT Organic: Probiotic butter spread—2,386 votes.
MELT Organic, Boise, Idaho, teamed with Ganeden, the Mayfield Heights, Ohio, maker of patented probiotic GanedenBC30, to launch Probiotic MELT Buttery Spread. Made from the Perfect Blend of “good fats” like virgin coconut, hi-oleic sunflower and flaxseed oils, this innovative spread supports digestive health and a healthy immune system and is said to deliver active cultures more effectively than yogurt. Probiotic MELT is available in stores nationwide for a suggested retail price of $4.99. Go to http://bit.ly/1Xl9GEY to read an exclusive interview with Meg Carlson, president and CEO.
ConAgra Foods: Healthy Choice Simply Café Steamers—1,566 votes.
ConAgra Foods expanded its Healthy Choice brand with Simply Café Steamers, what is said to be the first and only line of meals that feature a special steaming basket to unlock freshness. The magic of steam transforms simple ingredients into crisp vegetables, juicy 100% natural proteins and perfectly cooked grains in just four minutes or less. Varieties include Meatball Marinara, Chicken Fried Rice, Lemon Herb Chicken, Chicken Pasta Primavera, Grilled Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo, Chicken & Vegetable Stir Fry, Southwestern Style Chicken and Grilled Chicken Pesto & Vegetables. All Healthy Choice Simply Café Steamers are available in the freezer aisle at grocery stores nationwide for a suggested retail price of $3.29. Go to http://bit.ly/1r40LJz to read an exclusive interview with Alan Brooks, associate brand manager.
