NEWS ROUNDUP 1994-11-14 (1)

Schnuck Billboards Cry Chicken

ts here is trying to tempt consumers driving home from work with billboards advertising its roasted chickens.

The retailer is using four billboards to tout the chicken, most along routes that are heavily traveled during the evening hours. The billboards will be up through December, according to a local source.

The billboards, which have a bold design, are yellow, with red flames along the bottom. They read "Roasted chicken, now at Schnucks." No price or other details are given.

After a limited test, Schnucks has recently rolled out roasted chickens into each of its 63 units, the source said. Using billboards to advertise chicken is a new tactic. At one unit in Clayton, Mo., roasted chickens were being sold for $3.49 each.

IDDA Unit to Review UPC List

MADISON, Wis. -- The International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association here has appointed an ad hoc committee to review the association's UPC code list for random-weight deli items.

The committee will evaluate the need for revision and recommend changes, said Gail Lobdell, a spokeswoman for the association. She said the committee would probably have a report by spring.

The goal is to improve the quality of the scan data collected by retailers so the sales of deli cheeses can be differentiated from random-weight cheeses sold from the dairy case, said Lobdell.

Sorrento Offers a Big Cheese

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Sorrento Cheese Co. here has introduced a line of fresh mozzarella in a 3-pound package.

The cheese is available in 16-ounce pieces and is usually less than 15 days old. It is used primarily in food-service applications.

The cheese comes in a package with the Chefs of America five-star Gold Medal for product excellence.

Sorrento also sells bocconcini, ovellini and noccelini in 3-pound packages.

'Los Frescos' Tortilla Chips Debut

DENVER -- The Great Western Tortilla Co. here has introduced a new tortilla chip, "Los Frescos," which translates as "The Fresh Ones."

The chips are sold in the deli, to emphasize their freshness, according to a company statement. A new batch is started every day and delivered express to supermarkets.

The chips come in a microwavable paper bag with a stay-fresh lining. Flavors include restaurant-style, blue corn, spicy blue corn and nacho.

The Great Western Tortilla Co. is a third-generation producer of tortilla chips.