Prepared Foods profiles new side dishes.

Last fall saw B&G Foods, Parsippany, N.J., introduce Green Giant Veggie Fries and Green Giant Veggie Rings to the company’s popular Green Giant Veggie Swap-Ins platform.

Green Giant Veggie Fries combine the crispy texture of traditional potato fries with the flavorful taste of real vegetables. Available in Zucchini Garlic & Parmesan, Broccoli & Cheese, and Cauliflower Ranch with Bacon varieties. The counterpart in the launch, Green Giant Veggie Rings, is a terrific replacement for traditional, fried onion rings. The crispy, crunchy, cauliflower-filled Green Giant Veggie Rings will be available in Cauliflower French Onion and Cauliflower Three Cheese with Bacon varieties.

In addition to the new Veggie Swap-Ins product launches, Green Giant added three new products to its Green Giant Simply Steam line, all made with Dash Salt-Free Seasoning. They include Southwest Chipotle Sweet Corn Blend, Lemon Pepper Vegetable Medley, and Garlic & Herb Vegetable Medley.

CONVENIENT, QUICK PROTEIN OPTION

Reser’s Fine Foods, Beaverton, Ore., expects this spring to introduce a four-pack, single-serve Chicken Salad to meet consumer demand for grab-and-go foods.

Officials say the single-portion offering addresses consumer interests in more convenient options.

At a time when consumers also are adding more protein to their diets, each Reser’s Chicken Salad delivers 13g of protein per serving for a quick and easy lunch or protein-based snack.

Reser’s also says it changed up this favorite classic recipe to include rotisserie chicken to create a more robust, roasted flavor.

“With rotisserie chicken and creamy mayonnaise dressing, crunchy sweet pickles, crisp celery and onion, and no artificial flavors or colors, this fresh, ready-to-eat salad will be a treat for consumers to discover,” says Anne Nelson, Reser’s senior brand manager.

The four-pack ships nationwide in early spring at a suggested retail price of $5.99 and will be merchandised in the grocery deli department.

TRUSTED NAME ACROSS MANY CATEGORIES

Marquee Brands LLC, New York, N.Y., and Mediacast Holdings introduced Martha Stewart Kitchen (MSK), a new retail brand of frozen and prepared food products brought to the market by the newly formed MSK Foods LLC. The line’s initial, limited offering includes 24 appetizers, side dishes, and desserts offered at grocery outlets throughout the Northeast and Midwest.

Initial offerings include a variety of beloved classics like Tomato Tartlets; Uncured Bacon, Onion & Cheese Tart; Pigs in a Blanket; Four Cheese Macaroni and Cheese; Martha’s Mother’s Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese; Apple Crisp; Carrot Cake; Double Chocolate Brownie and Peach & Apple Hand Pies.

The full line of product offerings is set to launch nationally in spring 2021.

“We are thrilled to bring to the marketplace a unique mix of ready-to-bake goods, all developed with Martha’s signature taste and touch,” said Carolyn D’Angelo Marquee Brands Home Division president. “We look forward to continuing to present a variety of products that offer both ease and exceptional quality.”

La Tortilla Factory Inc., Santa Rosa, Calif., expanded beyond the tortilla aisle with three new microwavable side dishes.

“Dinner just got easier because La Tortilla Factory has done the work for you with three easy and convenient to prepare microwavable pouches,” the company says.

Varieties include Ancho Rice and Beans, rice and beans blend with corn and mild Ancho chiles; and Chipotle Brown Rice and Quinoa, a blend of brown rice, quinoa, smoky chipotle, roasted corn and poblano peppers. A third offering is Mexican-style Black Beans, billed as a “rich and flavorful, slow cooked with a blend of Mexican herbs and spices.”

SWEET SOLUTION WITH CLEAN LABEL APPEAL

Last fall saw Idahoan Foods LLC, Idaho Falls, Idaho, enter the heat-and-eat category with Honest Earth Mashed Sweet Potatoes.

The new product saves consumers prep, cook and cleanup time because it comes ready to heat in just 60 seconds right in its microwavable pouch. Officials noted that heat-and-eat pouch product sales are up 56% during the last five years and have seen a 29% increase in household penetration compared to last year. Additionally, IRI data reportedly show these products over-index with Millennials and young families.

“Families across the country have come to rely on Idahoan for high-quality potato products that make mealtime easier,” said Drew Facer, Idahoan president and CEO.

Honest Earth Mashed Sweet Potatoes, feature simple kitchen ingredients, including sweet potatoes, brown sugar and real butter, and have no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Additional ingredients include water, egg, sugar, nonfat dry milk, vanilla and salt.

Honest Earth Mashed Sweet Potatoes are available at Shop.Idahoan.com, as well as in BJ’s Wholesale locations across the nation and select Costco Wholesale locations across the West.