As part of Ajinomoto Co., Inc.'s global brand initiatives, Ajinomoto Windsor, Inc., Ontario, Calif., changed its name to Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc. to create brand consistency across North America.

The American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI), Arlington, Va., and Food Marketing Institute (FMI), Arlington, Va., released “The Power of Frozen 2019,” an inaugural exploration into the consumption, purchase drivers and use of frozen foods.

Kidfresh, New York, closed a new round of funding led by its existing institutional investors Monogram Capital Partners, Los Angeles; Emil Capital Partners, Greenwich, Conn.; and AccelFoods, New York.

Young Gen Z adults (18-24 year olds) are more likely than their Millennial predecessors to say they often snack between meals (74% vs. 66%), and when they do slow down to prepare a meal, young Gen Z adults are more likely to prefer simple, easy-to-prepare meals (58% vs. 40%), according to “Looking Ahead to Gen Z: Demographic Patterns and Spending Trends,” a report from Packaged Facts, Rockville, Md.

The global frozen food market was valued at $122.1 billion in 2013, and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.6% from 2014-2020, reaching an estimated value of $156.4 billion in 2020, according to a new market report published by Persistence Market Research, New York.

STOUFFER’S, a unit of Nestlé USA, Arlington, Va., introduced complete family meal kits.

On-Cor Frozen Foods, Aurora, Ill., is said to be the first company to develop frozen chicken entrées with the no added antibiotics claim.

WaffleWaffle, Nutley, N.J., launched its newest freezer aisle brand, Happi Foodi, which entails a line of frozen multi-serve appetizers and meals.

EVOL Foods, Boulder, Colo., launched a line of Modern Nutrition Bowls and four new Morning Bowls.

Getting a handle on four primary areas of leverage can help solidify today’s niche frozen brands as leaders within the freezer case.