PRIVATE-LABEL PIE LINE WILL ROLL INTO IGA STORES

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- Private-label frozen pies will debut at the Chicago-based IGA's stores this month.

ured by Country Home Bakers here, the desserts are slated to be available nationwide by June, so that stores can stock them before the holiday season.

The unbaked pies will feature signature IGA packaging, jointly designed by IGA and Country Home. Each pie includes baking instructions.

"The IGA brand is applied only to those products made by our manufacturing partners and to exacting standards using only the finest ingredients," said Patrick Sylvester, vice president of marketing at IGA. "Country Home Bakers exemplifies these qualities, and we know its IGA-brand pies will be a hit with our customers."

During the first 30 days of the program, which kicks off Feb. 22 to coincide with National Frozen Food Month, Country Home will offer IGA stores $1 off invoice for all cases ordered. In addition, all IGA retailers ordering 99 or more cases of the pies between Feb. 23 and March 16 will receive a free deluxe picnic basket available through Country Home Bakers. The basket includes dishes, cutlery and wine glasses for four, as well as a picnic blanket, cheese board and knife, and corkscrew.

Country Home Bakers manufactures more than 500 frozen-dough products, including breads and rolls, cookies, pies and other baked goods and confectionery products for supermarkets and food-service accounts around the world.