Last updated on September 27th, 2019 at 01:36 pm
Seizing on consumer demand in frozen meals, Albertsons Cos. has revamped its lineup of Own Brands entrees with 55 new items, from organic plant-based meals for the “flexitarian” to protein power bowls.
“We’re in a new age for frozen meals,” says Chad Coester, SVP of Albertsons Cos. Own Brands. “Shoppers deserve premium meals that deliver on dietary needs and indulgence. We’ve reimagined our frozen meal lineup with new formats to deliver on quality first. Flat out, this is delicious food.”
Albertsons Cos. also launched its new “Own Brands” Certified Plant-Based food line. The Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA) partnered with Albertsons on the certification and launch of the new products, which are also USDA-certified organic. This move makes Albertsons the first retailer to certify their private label products based on the PBFA’s certification. On each food item, the “Certified Plant-Based” seal is prominently displayed on the front of the packaging.
“With the launch of these new ‘Certified Plant Based’ foods, Albertsons is delivering to consumers the plant-based options they are seeking,” says Julie Emmett, PBFA senior director of retail partnerships. “We are thrilled to partner with Albertsons Cos. on their launch, applaud them for their leadership and look forward to a strong relationship to continue to meet consumer demand for plant-based foods.”
Plant-based meal alternatives are a $4.5 billion industry in the U.S., with 31 percent growth since 2017. In addition, 39 percent of the general population says they want to eat more vegetables and 29 percent identify as flexitarian, meaning they pursue a plant-based diet while occasionally eating meat.
The Own Brands team introduced new plant-based frozen bowls and plant-based meatless proteins.
“It’s exciting to work with Albertsons Cos. in bringing the first products to market that are both USDA-certified organic and certified plant-based,” Emmett said.
Each of the bowls deliver more than 11g of protein, and the plant-based burgers, patties, and crumbles are made with soy, pea and/or garbanzo beans.
The products, under the O Organics name, are: Edamame Teriyaki Vegetable Rice Bowl; Black Bean & Quinoa Bowl; Three Bean Chili & Kale Bowl; Chickpea Curry & Spinach Rice Bowl; plant-based power burger; Plant-Based Breakfast Patties; and Plant-Based Crumbles.
Signature Select premium frozen bowls
Coinciding with the major expansion of Signature Select this year, the brand now carries an elevated line of premium frozen bowls that include protein power bowls, global cuisine, and a twist on traditional favorites. The power bowls range from 280 to 400 calories, all delivering more than 20g of protein with limited carbs. All under the Signature Select label are:
- Mixed greens chicken and quinoa power bowl
- Cuban inspired pork with mojo sauce power bowl
- Beef and broccoli power bowl
- Mediterranean-style chicken power bowl
- Beef bulgogi rice bowl
- Japchae with shiitake mushrooms bowl
- Korean-style fried chicken rice bowl
- Chicken shoyu ramen noodle bowl
- Mac & cheese bowl
- Lasagna bowl
- Enchilada bowl
- Stuffed shells bowl
The Signature Select lineup includes recipes created by New York City-based chef Suji Park. Park is an international restaurateur who opened her first restaurant in Korea nearly 15 years ago. Her New York-style brunch concept became a hit among celebrities and tastemakers in Seoul. She spent a decade building her reputation in Asia with an award-winning restaurant group in Seoul and Tokyo and four successful retail lines that specialized in cross-cultural cuisine.
For this partnership with Albertsons Cos., Park built the bowls with clean ingredients that mirror how food is prepared in her restaurant, such as using pear as the sweetener in the beef bulgogi rice bowl.
Our Brands breakfast
Own Brands expanded its line of successful Signature Select breakfast sandwiches with six new coffee house-inspired varieties for an on-the-go meal: Chicken apple sausage and egg croissant sandwich; Chorizo, egg, and cheese jalapeño-biscuit sandwich; waffle, egg, and bacon sandwich; English muffin, Canadian bacon, egg white and cheese sandwich; French toast, ham, and egg sandwich; and pancake, sausage, egg and cheese sandwich.
O Organics is making its first entry into frozen breakfast solutions with two sausage products in resealable pouches—Chicken & Maple Sausage and Chicken & Sage Sausage—and high-protein breakfast bowls: Chicken sausage with bell peppers scramble bowl; eggs, chicken sausage, and ham scramble bowl; egg whites, spinach, and chicken sausage scramble bowl; and huevos rancheros, beans and egg scramble bowl.
Albertsons also has created new cauliflower-based dishes, including sides like Cauliflower Cheese Bake and Mashed Cauliflower with Garlic and Chives. Each one-cup serving is under 130 calories. Open Nature also added to its successful line of cauliflower crust frozen pizzas with an uncured pepperoni variety.
Albertsons’ Own Brands products includes four $1 billion brands: O Organics, Lucerne, Signature Select and Signature Cafe. Own Brands introduced 1,100 new items in fiscal year 2018 and now has more than 11,000 products in its portfolio.
