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NEWS ROUNDUP

CPK Rolls Out in Boston, Philadelphiazza Kitchen, Los Angeles, and Kraft Pizza, here, recently introduced their collaborative frozen gourmet pizza to the Boston and Philadelphia areas. The rollout is still regional, the product having been introduced to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Chicago previously. California Pizza Kitchen Frozen Pizza is available in seven flavors and retails at a suggested

CPK Rolls Out in Boston, Philadelphia

zza Kitchen, Los Angeles, and Kraft Pizza, here, recently introduced their collaborative frozen gourmet pizza to the Boston and Philadelphia areas. The rollout is still regional, the product having been introduced to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Chicago previously. California Pizza Kitchen Frozen Pizza is available in seven flavors and retails at a suggested $4.99 per pie.

Ruiz Food Products Wins Taste Award

DINUBA, Calif. -- Ruiz Food Products here has been presented with 2001 "Award of Excellence" recognition from the National Board of the American Tasting Institute for three of its El Monterey brand products. They are Shredded Beef & Cheese Flour Taquito, Grilled Chicken & Cheese Flour Taquito and Chicken Corn Taquito. The blind judgings were conducted by a panel of professional chefs in San Francisco. "This is the second year we have been presented with this distinguished industry award for several of our El Monterey brand products," said Kim Ruiz Beck, executive vice president of Ruiz Food Products. The products were judged primarily on taste, but appearance and freshness were also considered.

President Fox Addresses Frozen Food Fiesta

PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico -- Mexican President Vicente Fox addressed the 16th Frozen Food Fiesta held here recently by the Texas Mexico Frozen Food Council, based in McAllen, Texas. Fox previously served on the group's board of directors. He reiterated his pledge to serve as "president of all the people of Mexico." During the meeting, a panel of transportation experts discussed the status of trucking deregulation in accordance with the provisions of NAFTA. New officers elected for 2001-2002 were Norman Jensen, of Rio Valley Frozen Food, McAllen, Texas, president; Lily Noon, of Noon International, Danville, Calif., vice president; and Gordon Regate, secretary.

Ice Cream Partners Buys Distributor

SAN RAMON, Calif. -- Ice Cream Partners USA here announced last month the purchase of Tom Rogers Distributors, a leading independent ice cream distributor in Oregon. Terms were not disclosed.

Tom Rogers Distributors covers most of the state of Oregon. It currently distributes Haagen-Dazs, Breyer's and Good Humor, M&M Mars and several other brands. Tom Rogers Distributors has been a long-term Haagen-Dazs distributor, recognized for outstanding execution in the marketplace. Haagen-Dazs is one of Ice Cream Partners' brands. "This purchase demonstrates our commitment to world-class DSD customer service," said Jim Dintaman, CEO of Ice Cream Partners USA.

Pierre's Has Bananas, and More

CLEVELAND -- Pierre's French Ice Cream here has introduced Pierre's Banana Buddies chocolate-covered frozen bananas on a stick. The product is available in Milk Chocolate and Milk Chocolate with Peanuts. Banana Buddies come in two sizes: five-packs, which feature halved bananas for retail, and bulk 24-packs with whole bananas for individual retail sales and food-service needs.

Distribution covers all of Ohio, western New York, western Pennsylvania, northern Kentucky and eastern Michigan. Suggested retail pricing on the five-packs ranges from $3.79 to $3.99. Individual bars range from $1.99 to $3. Also new from Pierre's are four new flavors of its French Ice Cream: Chocolate Pecan, Dulce de Leche, Jackpot and Turtlicious, each available in retail half-gallons.

The company has also re-introduced Pierre's Frosted Smoothies, now available in 6-ounce cups sold by the six-pack. The product is fat-free, dairy-free and contains no cholesterol. Available in Lemon, Raspberry and Strawberry varieties, they retail at $3.29 to $3.59 per six-pack. The 16-ounce cups retail at $3 to $3.50, offering the same flavors plus Orange.

Basketball's Bird Speaks for Boston Market

PITTSBURGH -- Larry Bird, former star of the Boston Celtics, is the new national spokesman for Heinz Frozen Food Co.'s Boston Market Frozen Meals.

Bird, who led the Boston Celtics to three National Basketball Association titles during the 1980s, is featured in a new television advertising campaign that plays off of Bird's famous name to highlight the big taste and large portions of Boston Market Frozen Meals. In the 30-second commercials titled "How to Eat Like a Bird," basketball references are paired with shots of the 6-foot-9 Hall of Fame player enjoying heaping portions of the frozen premium meals.

The 30-second commercials will run on network television and national cable.