Zerocrats Aid Sets Record
e Distinguished Order of Zerocrats here reported a record contribution of $82,100 to this year's Frozen Food Industry Memorial Scholarship Fund drive.
The 1998 drive showed a 10.7% increase over 1997's contributions of $74,165, marking the fifth year of double-digit gains.
With the help of additional funds, financial assistance will be offered this year to more than 50 needy students preparing for careers in the food industry at 21 colleges and universities that receive grants from the scholarship program, according to Robert E. Rich Sr., chairman of the Zerocrats Scholarship Committee and chairman of Rich Products, Buffalo, N.Y.
The Distinguished Order of Zerocrats is a select group of past and present frozen-food industry leaders who traditionally meet a day before the annual National Frozen Food Convention, this year held Oct. 18 to 21 in Orlando, Fla.
Front-Panel Origin Labels KO'd
WASHINGTON -- A U.S. Senate amendment to the Fiscal Year 1999 Agricultural Appropriations bill that would have moved country-of-origin labeling to the front of frozen packages of produce was struck from the bill before it reached the Senate floor.
The American Frozen Food Institute, McLean, Va., which was instrumental in lobbying against the proposed change, called the outcome a victory for the entire frozen-food industry.
Additional provisions to mark imported frozen meat and meat products with their country of origin have also been eliminated from the Agricultural Appropriations bill.
Low-Fat Pizza Line Debuts
SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- Heavens' Bistro low-fat super-premium pizzas, 98% fat-free and marketed in three flavors, were launched in grocery outlets in North and South Carolina, Maryland, Virginia and California in the past two months. The company is based here.
The flavors are pepperoni, barbecued chicken and grilled vegetable. The pizzas have a suggested retail price of $4.99 each.
All-in-One Meal Introduced
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Birds Eye, the premier brand of Dean Foods Vegetable Co. based here, has introduced Chicken Voila!, an all-in-one freezer item that allows consumers to create a complete home-cooked meal in 10 minutes. No additional ingredients or sauce packets are needed.
The product is available in four varieties: Pesto, Garlic, Teriyaki and Three Cheese. It comes in a resealable zipper poly bag for "pour and store" use. All four flavors are available in a 20-ounce package, with a suggested retail price of $3.89. Garlic and Pesto varieties are also available in a 30-ounce package, priced at $5.79.
Chicken Voila! reached full national distribution in late September, the company said.
Frozen Omelets in the Freezer Case
ELIZABETH, N.J. -- Papetti Foods here has introduced a line of frozen microwavable omelets. The omelets are made with whole eggs and are available in Western, Three Cheese, Spinach & Feta, Sausage and Cheese, Salsa and Cheese and Ham & Cheese varieties.
Each box contains two individually-wrapped omelets, with a suggested retail price ranging from $1.79 to $1.89 a box. The omelets are initially being introduced in the Northeast and will be gradually rolled out nationally.
