Albertsons revamps Own Brands frozen lineup

Albertsons Companies has revamped its lineup of frozen Own Brands entrees with 55 new items, from organic plant-based meals for the “flexitarian” to premium high-protein power bowls and more.

“We’re in a new age for frozen meals,” said Chad Coester, senior vice president of Albertsons Companies’ Own Brands. “Shoppers deserve premium meals that deliver on dietary needs and indulgence. We’ve reimagined our frozen meal lineup with new formats to deliver on quality first.”

As part of the new lineup, in partnership with the Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA), Albertsons’ Own Brands team introduced new plant-based frozen bowls and plant-based meatless proteins under its O Organics banner, all of which are certified USDA-certified organic and contain the Plant Based Foods Association “Certified Plant Based” seal.

Each of the O Organics bowls deliver more than 11 grams of protein, and the plant-based burgers, patties, and crumbles are made with soy, pea, and/or garbanzo beans. The lineup includes edamame teriyaki vegetable rice bowl; black bean & quinoa bowl; three bean chili & kale bowl; chickpea curry & spinach rice bowl; plant-based power burger; plant-based breakfast patties; and plant-based crumbles.

In addition, coinciding with the major expansion of its Signature Select brand this year, Albertsons now carries an elevated line of premium frozen bowls that include protein power bowls, global cuisine and a twist on traditional favorites. The power bowls range from 280 to 400 calories, all delivering more than 20 grams of protein with limited carbs. They come in a dozen new flavors, including beef and broccoli power bowl, beef bulgogi rice bowl and chicken shoyu ramen noodle bowl.

Related:Albertsons ramps up Signature Select

The Signature Select lineup includes recipes created by New York City-based chef Suji Park. For this partnership with Albertsons, Park built the bowls with clean ingredients that mirror how food is prepared in her restaurant, such as using pear as the sweetener in the beef bulgogi rice bowl.

Own Brands expanded its line of successful Signature Select breakfast sandwiches with six new coffeehouse-inspired varieties for an on-the-go meal, including chicken apple sausage and egg croissant sandwich; chorizo, egg, and cheese jalapeño-biscuit sandwich; waffle, egg and bacon sandwich; English muffin, Canadian bacon, egg white and cheese sandwich; French toast, ham, and egg sandwich; and pancake, sausage, egg and cheese sandwich.

O Organics is making its first entry into frozen breakfast solutions with two sausage products in resealable pouches —chicken & maple sausage and chicken & sage sausage— and high-protein breakfast bowls.

Related:Albertsons taps Chad Coester to lead own brands

Own Brands continues to meet growing consumer demand for cauliflower-based dishes, according to Albertsons, with new sides like cauliflower cheese bake (a twist on mac and cheese) and mashed cauliflower with garlic and chives (a spin on mashed potatoes). Each one-cup serving is under 130 calories. The retailer’s Open Nature brand also added to its successful line of cauliflower crust frozen pizzas with an uncured pepperoni variety.

Like all Own Brands products, the 55 new frozen products are available exclusively in Albertsons Companies stores. The popular lineup of Own Brands products includes four billion-dollar brands: O Organics, Lucerne, Signature SELECT, and Signature Cafe. Own Brands introduced 1,100 new items in FY 2018 and now has more than 11,000 products in its portfolio, offering quality and value for every shopper in every corner of the store.

Headquartered in Boise, Idaho, Albertsons operates more than 2,200 stores in 34 states, including banners such as Safeway, Vons and Jewel-Osco.