Private Label

Better-for-you lunching is easier than ever with Weight Watchers Smart Ones Artisan Creations Grilled Flatbreads, each of which has a Weight Watchers POINTS® value of six, 310 calories or fewer, and just six to eight grams of fat, according to the brand, a division of Pittsburgh-based H.J. Heinz Co.

Duncan Hines® isn’t content to rest on its laurels. The iconic brand, which is owned by Mountain Lakes, N.J.-based Pinnacle Foods Group, LLC, recently launched a variety of new products: 100% Whole Grain Muffins in two additional flavors, Triple Chocolate Chunk and Apple Cinnamon, as well as the upgrade of existing muffin flavors to 100% Whole Grain; Moist Deluxe® Confetti Cupcakes; and a Duncan Hines Snack Line comprising Classic Yellow, Devil’s Food and Confetti cupcake, Chewy Fudge Brownie, and Chocolate Chip Cookie mixes, which is aimed at those who want that nostalgic home-baked taste in a smaller portion.

Though it probably doesn’t gladden the hearts of kids, the back-to-school shopping season tends to give the economy an annual boost.

Oscar Mayer Lunchables’ latest incarnation includes spring water and a number of firsts for the popular brand, including sub sandwiches and applesauce.

Although coupons, circulars and store brands offer savings opportunities at the supermarket, a new poll to be featured in the September 2009 issue of ShopSmart, from the publisher of Consumer Reports, has found that the majority of women are missing the chance to economize in their own kitchens. Only 29 percent of women polled said they budget or estimate how much a weekday dinner will cost, and one in 10 women won’t serve leftovers.

The latest addition to Supervalu’s growing family of private brands is a new collection of frozen treats, including four new Stone Ridge Creamery tart frozen yogurts and six new Culinary Circle ice cream desserts.

Global consumers are increasingly optimistic about the economy, but those in North America remain the exception to the rule.

Pacific® Natural Foods has added All Natural Hemp Milk to its lineup of shelf-stable non-dairy beverages. Available in Original and Vanilla flavors, the trans fat-, lactose-, cholesterol- and gluten-free milks offer 50 percent of the recommended daily allowance of calcium, four grams of fiber and 10 essential amino acids, and vitamins in the new product include A, D, B12, E, riboflavin and folic acid.