Supply Side briefs: ConAgra honored, Kellogg tweaks products

• ConAgra garners top award
ConAgra Foods Inc. recently claimed Food Processing Magazine’s top annual award, “Processor the Year 2013.”

The diverse consumer product company has undergone several transformations during in 94-year history, starting a s grain miller until 1971, when the firm began acquiring branded consumer products.

The new ConAgra defined the better-for-you products category when it created the Healthy Choice brand in 1988. With the recent acquisition of Ralcorp, ConAgra is again experiencing a metamorphosis, into the nation's largest private brand manufacturer – without neglecting it’s 45 other brands.


"We understand how consumer behavior is changing," says Gary Rodkin, CEO since 2005. "We know people want great-tasting, everyday food for every dollar they spend. And we don't think this particular consumer mindset is going away – value is here to stay. Initially, the industry reacted slowly to this sea change in consumer behavior, thinking that things would go back to normal as the economy improved. But it soon became apparent there was a 'new normal,' and we realized we were at that proverbial fork in the road."


To be named a “Processor of the Year,” a food manufacturer should have sound financial performance, innovative product development, leading manufacturing technology, managerial excellence, general industry leadership and service.

ConAgra is a supplier to Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and operates one of the largest local vendor sales offices in Northwest Arkansas with roughly 100 employees.

• Kellogg unveils new products amid consumer demand
The Kellogg Company is debuting several new products from some of its most popular brands, building on the latest food trends and meeting the needs of today's consumers.


The new products stretch across Kellogg Company's U.S. portfolio, including cereal, snacks and frozen foods, and will deliver the taste and nutrition consumers are seeking, while providing options that meet their increasingly hectic lifestyles.


"Ready-to-eat cereal continues to be the most popular breakfast choice in the U.S.," said Michael Allen, president of Kellogg U.S. Morning Foods, "It tastes great and can help set you up for a more successful day."


To provide new options of this morning favorite, Kellogg is introducing three cereals from some of its most popular brands, including:

• New Kellogg's®  Frosted Mini-Wheats Touch of Fruit Raisin
• Kellogg's Krave® S'mores, and
• Kashi ® Organic Promise Raisin Vineyard.

As more people seek wholesome snack choices that provide positive nutrition, Kellogg’s execs said they have put new twists on some of consumer’s favorites such as Nutri-Grain fruit and oat harvest bars, Pringles tortilla chips, Keebler fudge covered coconut dreams and Kellogg’s morning biscuits to go.

"When heading down the frozen food aisle, many consumers are looking for breakfast options that make it easy to give their families a warm, delicious start to the day," said Andrew Loucks, president of Kellogg U.S. Frozen Foods.

• Kellogg New bite-sized Eggo , and
• Special K Bacon Egg and Cheese Flatbread breakfast sandwich. 

For other occasions, people are seeking foods with bold flavors, ethnic flair and unique ingredients, according to Loucks to which Kellogg introduces Morningstar Farms® roasted garlic and quinoa burger and the Kashi Greek tzatziki and Indian tikka masala single-serving pizza.

Kellogg is a major supplier to Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and operates a large sales office in Rogers.