FFA's 6th Annual BEST NEW Product Awards

HEADNOTE

Buyers named Hot Pockets and Cool Atkins Endulge desserts as top National and Regional new introductions in this year's poll.

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Convenience

and health were the twin themes of the 6th Annual Frozen Food Age Top 10 New Products competition. More than 70 buyers, category managers, and retail executives cast over 900 votes among the 122 National and Regional new product finalists, naming recent line extensions to Nestle's Hot Pockets brand the best National item, and Atkins' low-carbohydrate Endulge frozen dessert the top Regional entry.

Close behind hot Pockets came another convenience-oriented entry, namely the last year's additions to Green Giant's Large-Sized Bagged Vegetables and Sauce line. Other convenience-oriented products among the National and Regional winners included T. Marzetti's New York brand Five Cheese Garlic Toast; Pillsbury's Butterflake Dinner Rolls and Flaky Layer Biscuits; Pillsbury's Waffle Sticks with Dippin' Cups; Bob Evans Brunch Bowls; and Tyson's new IQF steaks and pork chops.

Healthy frozen novelties also made their presence felt in the National rankings, capturing two of the top 10 spots with Integrated Brands' Weight Watchers Smart Ones novelties, and Silhouette's Fat Free Fudge Bar and Cookies & Cream Bar.

Regionally, Endulge was joined by fellow low-carb treat Le Garb, but an indulgent trend could also be seen in the victories of items like HaagenDazs' Tres Leche flavor and Sara Lee's Signature Selections cream pies.

Ethnic flavors inspired winners in both divisions. Nationally, Nestle's Asian additions to its Lean Cuisine brand met with rave reviews, while retailers also applauded Italian specialist Michael Angelo's Premium Single-Serve House Specialties in the Regional category.

Rounding out the top 10 National winners were two pizza items, DiGiorno's Deep Dish addition and Freschetta's new Brick Oven pizzas. Together, they took more than 6% of the National vote, speaking to the continued strength of the frozen pizza category.

Many Regional winners point up the continuing quest for variety in the frozen food department. From VIP's Smoothies to Alexia Foods' premium frozen potatoes to SeaPak's value-added shrimp products, it appears many retailers are benefiting by offering consumer new and different frozen options.

Following is a closer look at the top National and Regional new products.

Congratulations to everyone!

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TOP 10 NATIONAL NEW PRODUCTS