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 cooperation.
1. Oven Perfect Fresh Pork with 2,953 votes.
Farmland Foods, Kansas City, Mo., introduced Oven Perfect Fresh Pork, a new line of fresh pork products that are marinated, dry-rub seasoned and ready to cook right in the bag. This cook-in-the-bag technology locks in juices, seals in flavor and self vents at the appropriate time to ensure the pork is perfectly browned. The Mylar package is FDA-approved and BPA-free, and can go directly from the refrigerator or freezer to the oven with no defrosting required.
“At Farmland, we are passionate about the products we provide to consumers,” says Brendan Smith, senior vice president of marketing and innovation. “Hundreds of thousands of easy-to-prepare, easy-to-clean-up dinners have been made across the country since Oven Perfect Fresh Pork was introduced last summer. We created Oven Perfect Fresh Pork to meet the needs of consumers by providing perfectly cooked, delicious pork every time, and we couldn’t be more appreciative that consumers have responded with such support.”
2. Yogurtiamo Frozen Yogurt with 2,666 votes.
G.S. Gelato, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., now offers artisan frozen yogurt under its Yogurtiamo line. This all-natural treat features California Tart with Mixed Berry Swirl and California Tart with Blood Orange Swirl, packaged in a 34-ounce two-pack container for a suggested retail price of $9.79. Consumers can find Yogurtiamo frozen yogurt in Costco throughout the Southeast, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and Florida.
3. Ore-Ida Grillers with 577 votes.
The Ore-Ida potatoes that American families have loved for 60 years are now grill-ready, cookout-friendly and available with a fresh new twist. That’s because the Ore-Ida brand now includes Ore-Ida Grillers, thick-cut, round potato slices that are crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside and specially designed to cook on the grill. Ready in just 15 minutes, they come in Golden, which has a classic potato taste, and Seasoned, which features a zesty blend of black pepper, herbs and spices. They also can be customized to taste by brushing with a favorite sauce or adding toppings like sour cream, chives or shredded cheese.
4. SeaPak Shrimp Spring Rolls with 252 votes.
Handmade with tender shrimp and crispy vegetables tucked inside delicate, crunchy wrappers, SeaPak Shrimp Spring Rolls, produced by SeaPak Shrimp & Seafood Co., St. Simons Island, Ga., are quick and simple to heat-and-eat, baking to golden perfection in less than 15 minutes. Each 20-ounce package comes with Sweet Thai Chili Dipping Sauce.
“Spring rolls have always been a take-out favorite, and we’re thrilled that seafood fans have quickly taken to this delicious SeaPak option, which can be prepared
and enjoyed at home. This award is another convincing vote for the great coastal flavor SeaPak has been delivering to consumers for more than 60 years,” says Daryl Miller, director of marketing. “Our Shrimp Spring Rolls serve up just the right combination of tender shrimp and crispy vegetables enfolded in a crunchy wrapper and accompanied by a flavorful Sweet Thai Chili Dipping Sauce. We’re the shrimp experts, and we’re proud of it.”
5. Cool Whip Frosting with 208 votes.
Kraft Foods, Northfield, Ill., introduced Cool Whip Frosting, perfectly whipped to spread evenly. Found in the freezer aisle, they come in Chocolate, Vanilla and Cream Cheese flavors.
“Cool Whip Frosting has been able to meet an untapped consumer need for a light, whipped frosting with just the right amount of sweetness, while driving incremental sales for our retailers by introducing a new category to the frozen aisle,” says Emilie Fitch, brand manager. “We look forward to bringing our consumers and retailers even more delicious and easy dessertsolutions in the future.”
About the Contest
Refrigerated & Frozen Foods’ editor-in-chief, Marina Mayer reviewed all of the new retail products published in print and online at www.RFFmag.com from July 2012 to April 2013. From the hundreds of products, she nominated 22 refrigerated and frozen foods. Then, you, the reader, voted for your favorite. The poll garnered a total of 7,321 votes, 265 Facebook likes and 24 tweets. To check out the contest, or to review the other nominees, go here.
