PUBLIX IS OFFERING OWN FROZEN FRUIT WAFFLES

RICHARD TURCSIK

LAKELAND, Fla. (FNS) -- Publix Super Markets here has introduced a line of private-label frozen fruit.

Publix offers frozen whole strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, sliced peaches, mixed fruit, mixed berries, dark sweet cherries, blackberries and rhubarb. The fruit is packaged in polyester bags.

The line was featured in an article in the "What's New at Publix" column in the fall Publix Family Style magazine. Family Style also included a 75-cents-off coupon that was marked with a "new item" starburst. The fruits are retailing at Publix for $1.99 a bag.

The article stressed that Publix Frozen Fruit is just as nutritious as its fresh counterparts.

In Publix's new Tampa Bayshore store, just across the river from the downtown convention center, the frozen fruits were merchandised under the Cool Whip and private-label toppings. In a larger Publix store, on Dale Mabry Boulevard in Tampa, the fruits were merchandised next to the whipped toppings.

The fall issue of Family Style also alerted shoppers that Publix has a new line of private-label frozen waffles, which are available in home-style, buttermilk and blueberry.

"Each batch is made with high-quality, fresh ingredients like enriched flour and whole eggs," the article stated. A 50-cent coupon was used to entice shoppers to try the waffles.