Meredith Corp. and Bellisio Foods Sign Licensing Agreement for EatingWell Brand

Meredith Corp. has agreed to a multi-year licensing partnership with Bellisio Foods, Inc., for the EatingWell brand.

“We’re excited to expand on our successful licensing programs with our first licensing partnership for the EatingWell brand,” says Elise Contarsy, Vice President of Meredith Brand Licensing. “Licensed products are one of our biggest growth categories, including existing partnerships between Better Homes and Gardens and Walmart, Realogy and FTD, Allrecipes’ partnership with Clipper Corporation on a line of cookware, bakeware and kitchen gadgets, and our recently announced partnership between SHAPE and Apparel Bridge LLC for the SHAPE Active collection of women’s activewear.”

Contarsy notes that this is also Meredith Brand Licensing’s first expansion into the retail consumable food category.

EatingWell frozen products will be available for consumer purchase at supermarkets and retail grocery stores nationwide beginning in fall 2016. At launch, the EatingWell product line will focus on single-serve frozen entrées. Meredith and Bellisio Foods anticipate future food expansion into products such as multi-serve meals, appetizers, sides, snacks, vegetables, breakfast items, desserts and breads.

Joel Conner, Bellisio Foods Chairman, CEO and Partner, says, “We’re thrilled to commence this partnership with Meredith. The EatingWell brand is perfectly positioned to help meet the ever increasing demand from our consumers for remarkably delicious, authentic and convenient frozen food products that fit their healthful lifestyles.”

“We’re always looking for new ways to engage consumers with our exceptional brand portfolio,” says Tom Witschi, President, Meredith Women’s Lifestyle Group. “This agreement demonstrates the depth and appeal of our media brands, and, in particular, EatingWell’s strong following in the rapidly growing healthy eating marketplace.”

Meredith and Bellisio are collaborating on the selection and development of recipes, with all recipes meeting the health parameters of the EatingWell brand. The editors of EatingWell magazine are providing inspiration and taste-testing expertise throughout the process.

“Our mission is to help make healthy happen every day,” says Jessie Price, Editor-in-Chief of EatingWell magazine. “As much as we’d like to cook every meal from scratch, we don’t always have the time. When we’re busy, a great-tasting frozen meal that’s healthy and made with good, clean ingredients is an excellent option – and that’s exactly what this new line of EatingWell food will provide.”