(Something tells me) I'm into something good.

"Woke up this mornin' feelin' fine, There's somethin' special on my
mind ..."

Although Herman's Hermits was referring to a certain "special someone" in this British invasion-era hit, the song's opening lyrics also could aptly describe consumers' current

Business Credit Solutions

• Get a Credit Report
• Get a D&B D-U-N-S Number
• Monitor My Business Credit - FREE TRIAL!

Business Credit Advice

• Business Credit Basics
• Build My Business Credit
• Extend Credit to Customers
• Use My Credit to Get Loans

Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?

Data from Information Resources Inc. (IRI) of Chicago show dollar sales within the frozen appetizer and snack category up 5 percent during the 52-week period ending March 25, 2007 (excluding Wal-Mart).

"Clearly the area of greatest growth is in the health and wellness arena," says Bryce Ruiz, president and chief operating officer of Dinuba, Calif.-based Ruiz Foods Inc., "although it has moved from the 'low/no/restricted'-type foods into [offerings ranging from] healthier, indulgent-tasting products to natural or balanced nutrition [or] enhanced foods."

Making the list of better-for-you options are new Morningstar Farms microwavable frozen Mushroom Mozzarella Veggie Bites from Battle Creek, Mich.-based Kellogg Co.

"They are a savory twist on the traditional mozzarella stick," notes a company spokesperson, "with portabella mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic and mozzarella cheese wrapped inside a tasty breading."

Other hit-list contenders here are two new flavors of Cheemo Perogies--Spinach & Feta Cheese and Sour Cream & Chive--from Heritage Frozen Foods Ltd. of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The pre-cooked, flash-frozen offerings are made with only natural ingredients and are low in cholesterol and overall fat. The products are being introduced into targeted U.S. markets.

"People are after quality," says Taylor Johnson, director of sales for Heritage Frozen Foods. "They're also after convenience and value and products that are good for them."

Of course, taste is still vital to consumers' continuing love affair with the refrigerated and frozen snack and appetizer category.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

"When you think of flavors, there are the clear ethnic prototypes--the Asian, Italian, Mexican," says Mark Jansen, vice president-product strategy for Bloomington, Minn.-based Schwan's Consumer Brands North America. "There are all kinds of interesting things there, clearly, as [restaurants] get into more delineation of different types of Asian--whether it's Thai, Korean or Indonesian types of flavors.