Kid-friendly sides; Canadian favorite crosses the border; Quick and convenient potato soup

Quick and convenient potato soup
Just in time for fall, Idahoan Foods launched the company’s first-ever line of dry soup mixes. The Steakhouse line of soups feature Baby Reds potatoes and can be ready in just five minutes.

“Our new line of soups will raise the bar in the category because of their hearty and homemade texture,” says Ryan Ellis, director of retail marketing. “They are a culmination of our experience in delivering convenience to consumers as well as our expertise in comfort foods made from real, high-quality products.”

Available in four flavors—Cheddar Broccoli, Three Cheese Chipotle, Loaded Potato, and Creamy Potato—the soups are gluten-free and do not contain artificial flavors, monosodium glutamate, or partially hydrogenated oils. They can be found at U.S. retailers for a suggested retail price of $2.79.

---

Canadian favorite crosses the border
Frito-Lay recently introduced Americans to Ruffles All Dressed, which combine salty, sweet, and savory elements into one bold flavor. The limited-release chips, which will be available until Dec. 7, are the most popular Ruffles flavor in Canada. “To say Ruffles All Dressed has a cult following in Canada is like saying it sometimes snows there a little,” says Dana Lawrence, senior director of marketing at Frito-Lay.

“You don’t know quite what to expect when you put Ruffles All Dressed chips in your mouth,” continues Lawrence. “That’s part of the charm and discovery. This is not a light and crispy chip. Ruffles All Dressed potato chips are for people looking for more—more ridges, more flavor, more fun.”

The chips are available nationwide in two sizes—a 2.6-ounce bag with a suggested retail price (SRP) of $1.49 and a 7.75-ounce bag with an SRP of $3.49.

---

Kid-friendly veggies and pasta
In collaboration with Disney, Pinnacle Foods recently released a line of Birds Eye frozen sides that feature character-shaped pasta and nutritious vegetables. Each side provides between 220 and 260 calories and no more than 9 grams of sugar per serving.

“Encouraging children to eat vegetables every day is central to our mission at Birds Eye,” says Mike Barkley, senior vice-president/general manager, meals and sides, at Pinnacle Foods. “Through our collaboration with Disney, we are helping parents put quick, nutritious, flavorful meals on the table that their children will love.”

The 10-ounce sides come in four varieties. Whole grain noodles shaped like Mickey and Minnie star alongside corn in a butter sauce, while pasta in the shape of Mater and Lightning McQueen from Cars pairs with broccoli in a cheese sauce. Peas and parmesan sauce accompany noodles shaped like Elsa and Anna from Frozen, and pasta in the shape of Frozen’s Olaf pairs with carrots in a tomato sauce. Each option is available at stores nationwide for a suggested retail price of $2.99.