General Mills Introduces 'Helper' Bold and Real Skillet Meal Kits
At the end of January, General Mills Inc., Minneapolis, announced an aggressive lineup of new products, including a number of concepts under its popular Helper brand.
“We are focused on the quality of our new product innovation, and have a strong slate of new products to bring consumers more of what they want,” says Peter Erickson, executive vice president of innovation, technology and quality. “Consumers have unwavering high standards for food. They want products that deliver on quality, taste, health, convenience and value, but at the same time they want more … more flavor, more fun, more nutrition.”
Flavor is front and center with the new Helper products. With less time to prepare and cook the evening meal, consumers are seeking quick and convenient choices to solve the nightly dinner dilemma. They are also increasingly seeking out globally inspired flavors.
The new Helper Bold brand features three adventurous concepts that require the addition of meat and some simple preparation. Varieties are: Crispy Buffalo Chicken, which includes pasta and seasoning to make a side pasta salad; Firehouse Chili Macaroni; and Spicy Chipotle Chicken Enchilada with rice. Also new is the Helper Ultimate line. There are four “just add chicken” concepts: Cheddar Broccoli, Creamy Parmesan, Orange Chicken and Sweet and Spicy Teriyaki. The “just add hamburger” varieties are: Creamy Stroganoff and Three Cheese Marinara. The Ultimate line is all about being made with “real” ingredients, such as cheddar cheese, cream and tomatoes.