Last updated on September 19th, 2022
Chicago-based Conagra Brands Inc. is introducing more than two dozen new products this summer. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, more people are cooking and eating at home. Birds Eye, Marie Callender’s, Healthy Choice and Snack Pack are among the new items that Conagra Brands is bringing to market to satisfy evolving consumer needs.
New plant-based meal, snack options
Plant-based products continue to rise in popularity, and not just for vegetarians and vegans, but for flexitarians too. Nearly 40 percent of Americans1 are attempting to incorporate more plant-based options into their diets. To answer the increased demand, brands including Birds Eye, Gardein, Healthy Choice and Marie Callender’s have developed new items including:
- Birds Eye Meatless Lasagna with Gardein Plant-Based Protein: made with Gardein B’ef and pasta made from vegetables;
- Birds Eye Skillets with Gardein Plant-Based Protein: available in two flavors, Garlic Chick’n and Alfredo Chick’n;
- Healthy Choice Power Bowls with Gardein Plant-Based Protein: offered in two flavors, Be’f & Vegetable Stir Fry, and Chipotle Chick’n;
- Gardein Ultimate Plant-Based Jerky: available in three flavors – Original, Teriyaki and Hot & Spicy;
- Gardein Plant-Based Soups: available in five plant-based meat flavors, Chick’n Noodl’, Be’f & Vegetable, Saus’ge Gumbo, Chick’n & Rice, and Minestrone & Saus’ge; and
- Marie Callender’s Pot Pies with Gardein Plant-Based Protein: available in two flavors, Chick’n and Be’f.
New meal options for various diet preferences
Today, consumers are following both preferred and prescribed dietary guidelines that best fit their lifestyles and needs. Whether they are eating keto-friendly or on a low-carb meal plan, reducing the gluten in their diet or sticking to an all-vegan consumption, brands including EVOL and Blake’s have created options such as:
- Blake’s Gluten Free Mac and Cheese;
- EVOL Pizza: available in two flavors, 3-Cheese and Pepperoni. These keto-friendly pizzas are gluten free and feature a crust made with chicken and parmesan cheese;
- EVOL Modern Lifestyle Bowls with Paleo-friendly options: available in four flavors, Paleo-friendly Guajillo Chicken & Cauliflower; Plant-based Butternut Squash Curry; Paleo-friendly Unwrapped Chicken Egg Roll; and Plant-based Veggie Burrito;
- Healthy Choice Power Bowls Whole Earth Bowls: offered in Green Goddess (vegan) and Buddha Bowl (vegetarian); and
- Healthy Choice Bone Broth Soups: available in three flavors made with bone broth, Chicken Noodle, Chicken with Rice and Lentil Vegetable.
New snacks
Another trend that remains popular during this unprecedented time: eating several small meals versus the once standard three meals a day. Consumers love snacks that are quick and tasty. Snack Pack, Orville Redenbacher’s and Slim Jim offer new on-the-go options:
- Orville Redenbacher’s Microwave Popcorn Made with Avocado Oil;
- Slim Jim Original N’ Cheese 10-Pack;
- Slim Jim Pork Rinds: available in two flavors, Squealin’ Hot and Hog Wild BBQ; and
- Snack Pack Mermaid Tropical-flavored Pudding.
Over the next few months, consumers will be able to find more new items from the Conagra Brands roster including restaurant-inspired meals from P.F. Chang’s Home Menu with single-serve ramen and veggie appetizers, baked sides and cauliflower wings from Birds Eye, double chicken and meat bowls from Hungry Man and more.
