TOPS, FINAST ADD FROZEN COOKIE DOUGH

MARYELLEN LO BOSCO

AURORA, Colo. -- The Tops Friendly Markets and Finast Friendly Markets banner stores of Ahold USA, Atlanta, have added a new category to their frozens departments: frozen cookie dough.

The preportioned dough, sold under the President's Choice label and manufactured by English Bay Batter here, also may roll out to Randalls Food Markets, Houston, and Glen's Markets, Gaylord, Mich., according to David Foster, vice president of sales and marketing for English Bay.

The product is currently sold in Jewel Food Stores, Melrose Park, Ill., a division of American Stores, Salt Lake City, and in Star Market Co. units, Cambridge, Mass.

President's Choice is almost as dominant as a national brand in Canada, said Foster. English Bay began marketing frozen cookie dough under that banner about two years ago in Loblaws Supermarkets, Toronto.

"It was pretty successful, so we went to private label to get more support [from the chain]," Foster said.

Available in chocolate chunk, peanut butter and oatmeal raisin, the dough comes in a 12-count packages that retail for $3.99.