Gourmet News

Food Cost Survey: Strapped Parents Worry About Children Getting Nutrients

Published August 26, 2022

Back-to-school season brings relief for many parents, but it can also be stressful and overwhelming, especially when it comes to hectic morning routines and ensuring kids get good nutrition, despite rising food cost.

According to a new survey commissioned by General Mills Big G Cereals, 75 percent of parents worry their child is not getting enough of the nutrients they need and 65 percent are concerned about their ability to provide a “healthy” breakfast due to inflation and rising grocery costs.

With families across the country feeling the impact of inflation, the need for easy breakfast options that provide good nutrition at an accessible price is critical. In fact, more than half of parents (52 percent) surveyed said they believe only families who have higher incomes can afford to provide nutritious food options for their family and they are uncertain about how to easily introduce more nutrients into their child’s diet.

The good news is more than three in four parents (77 percent) whose child eats cereal agree that cereal — a pantry staple that packs a one-two punch of nutrition and affordability — is one of their child’s favorite foods. Nutrition research shows that, when compared to non-cereal eaters, people who eat cereal tend to take in more calcium, vitamin D and fiber,which are three priority nutrients that the Dietary Guidelines for Americans say most people don’t get enough of.And, on average, a bowl of General Mills Big G cereal with milk costs about 50 cents per serving.

“Parents can feel relief knowing that a nutritious breakfast doesn’t have to be complicated or break the bank,” said Amy Cohn, registered dietitian and senior nutrition manager at General Mills. “The simple act of providing kids with cereal for breakfast is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to make a nutritious choice for your child.”

While 50 percent of parents whose child eats cereal say they feel they’re not providing the most nutritious option for breakfast with cereal, parents may be surprised to find it’s a nutritious way to start the day.

“Many cereals deliver whole grain, fiber, vitamins, and minerals all in one bowl, which are not always easy to find in other breakfast choices,” said Cohn.

To help parents hit the snooze button on pressures that come with providing nutritious breakfasts for their kids, General Mills Big G Cereals has teamed up with a group of registered dietitians to highlight the role cereal can play as a morning shortcut that doesn’t shortchange on nutrition. With danceable, sing-along content on social media featuring a new ‘Ce[Real] Deal’ song (#ceREALdeal), the registered dietitians are encouraging parents to embrace cereal as the pantry staple that delivers real nutrition their kids will enjoy, all at an accessible price.

“As a mom and registered dietitian, I’m on a mission to help alleviate the guilt that parents feel when it comes to feeding their kids well,” said Nicole Rodriguez, RDN, NASM-CPT and founder of Enjoy Food. Enjoy Life. who is partnering with General Mills Big G Cereal on the Ce[Real] Deal campaign. “The truth is, you don’t need to choose between ‘easy’ and ‘nutritious’ when it comes to giving your kids a breakfast they’ll love. Cereal truly is the real deal in delivering the delicious and affordable nutrition that kids will happily eat.”

For more information on Big G Cereals, head to GeneralMills.com and check out Big G Cereals on Instagram for fun inspiration and to see how registered dietitians and parents are keeping it Ce[Real] this school year.

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Oscar Mayer Debuts ‘Cold Dog’ Frozen Pop

Published August 26, 2022

Oscar Mayer has debuted the first “Cold Dog,” a bun-derfully odd and surprisingly delicious frozen pop flavored like the beloved Oscar Mayer wiener.

Stemming from Oscar Mayer’s “Stupid or Genius” campaign – focused on all the wonderfully odd ways to enjoy the iconic wiener beyond grilling – the Cold Dog sparked a sizzling social media debate. While a cold hot dog may be polarizing, tens of thousands of fans relished the idea of a hot dog-flavored frozen pop and crowned the Cold Dog “genius,” so the brand made it a reality.

Oscar Mayer, a Kraft Heinz Company brand, is teaming up with Popbar, a premium frozen desserts company known for handcrafted gelato on-a-stick to create the Cold Dog, boasting both refreshing and smokey, umami notes of Oscar Mayer’s iconic wiener – all topped with a signature swirl of “mustard.”

Now available for just $2 at select Popbar locations, hot dog lovers can taste the frank-tastic new invention in Long Beach, New York City, Alpharetta-Atlanta and New Orleans while supplies last.

“After the overwhelming fan excitement for our beloved Cold Dog, it was a no-brainer to make this hot dog-inspired frozen pop a reality,” said Anne Field, Head of North American Brand Communications, Oscar Mayer. “For more than 130 years, Oscar Mayer has been sparking smiles and bringing levity into everyday moments, and we are thrilled to bring fans another wonderfully odd way to enjoy our iconic wiener while beating the summer heat.”

Oscar Mayer’s iconic 27-foot hot dog on wheels dons an icy makeover to sample Cold Dogs. Fittingly outfitted as a frozen pop truck, the Wienermobile features frosted windows, icicle-inspired decorations and more as it travels the hot dog highways to popular summertime destinations in NYC and the Jersey Shore now through August 27.

For more information and where to meat-up with the Wienermobile this week, visit OscarMayer.com and Oscar Mayer on Instagram.

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Blue Apron Adds Snacks, Light Meal Options

Published August 25, 2022

Blue Apron has expanded on convenient meal options beyond dinner that will be featured on its Add-ons menu, available to order now. Created to take the stress out of weekday planning in preparation for one of the busiest seasons of the year, the new Add-ons feature kid- and adult-approved recipes, perfect for an after-school snack, packable lunch, simple dinner or somewhere in between.

“Expanding the variety of our menu options to meet the needs of families and on-the-go customers continues to be a category we are focused on, especially as summer winds down and back-to-school season approaches,” said Josh Friedman, Blue Apron’s chief product officer. “Our customers look to Blue Apron to help solve for different meal occasions throughout the week. We continue to iterate on our offerings to create recipes that complement one another, but also fit into more non-traditional meal times.”

Designed to be ready in 30 minutes or fewer, the new Add-ons are a quick and fun take on classic recipes that can be prepared ahead of time or on the spot. They include simple dishes with an elevated twist, like a savory, pancetta grilled cheese sandwich with caramelized onion between sourdough bread. Additional options include French bread pizza, antipasto wraps and a delicious snack board.

“As we move into fall, our culinary team wanted to offer customers a series of recipes that could be utilized and enjoyed in a variety of ways throughout the day,” said John Adler, Blue Apron’s vice president of culinary. “The new Add-ons function great as stand-alone meals, but they’re also customizable by adding, for example, an à-la-carte protein to our pesto pasta, allowing customers to create a meal that works for their taste buds and dietary preferences.”

The new Add-ons are part of Blue Apron’s offerings designed with convenience and ease in mind on the days when time and planning is limited. Other offerings include Ready to Cook recipes that require no knife work or chopping, Heat & Eat microwavable meals and Fast & Easy sheet pan and one-pot recipes.

Blue Apron’s offerings are available on a rotating basis through their website and mobile app, along with non-subscription options available on Blue Apron’s Market and Walmart.com. To learn more about Blue Apron’s Add-ons, visit cook.ba/add-ons.

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