SAN JUAN BAUTISTA, Calif. — On the heels of the Department of Agriculture’s new MyPlate food guidelines – which remind Americans to make half their plate at meal times fruits and vegetables and at least half their grains whole grains — Earthbound Farm, one of the nation’s leading organic food companies, has introduced a line of healthy, organic, delicious, and ultra-convenient meal options: the PowerMeal. This nutritious “lunch without the junk” combines fresh organic greens, seeds, fruits and clean-burning whole grains to provide plant-based protein, fiber, antioxidants and plenty of taste.
The three introductory Earthbound Farm PowerMeal salads — Blueberry Quinoa Protein Balance, Cranberry Wheat Protein Boost and Tomatillo Black Bean Protein Energy — began to appear on store shelves in July 2011, with full national roll-out through August.
With more than 50 percent of Americans now aware of the term “Meatless Mondays” and more than 27 percent saying that the term had influenced their decision to cut back on meat, these meal salads offer an alternative without compromise. Earthbound Farm’s ready-to-eat PowerMeals provide flavorful, convenient organic options for busy consumers to enjoy a satisfying and healthy meal without meat, while boosting their intake of the antioxidant vitamin A, and fiber. According to the American Dietetic Association, the average American eats only 12 to 18 grams of fiber a day, well below the 20 to 35 grams recommended by the ADA, which also suggests that fiber intake come from a variety of plant foods. And each Earthbound Farm PowerMeal salad delivers those benefits for less than 400 calories.
Packaged in eco-friendly post-consumer recycled (PCR) PET clamshells, the PowerMeal salads contain individually wrapped ingredients in easy-to-open pouches that minimize preparation time and maximize freshness while enabling individuals to add the amount of dressings and toppings they prefer:
Blueberry Quinoa Protein Balance delicious and satisfying organic baby spinach and quinoa (the only complete protein in the plant world) with sunflower kernels, dried blueberries and balsamic vinaigrette. Contains 9 grams protein and 6 grams fiber. 360 calories. Gluten-free.
Cranberry Wheat Protein Boost: flavorful and filling organic mixed baby greens, whole-grain bulgur wheat and wheat berries with garbanzo beans, dried cranberries and red wine vinaigrette. Contains 5 grams protein and 7 grams fiber. 340 calories.
Tomatillo Black Bean Protein Energy: zesty and delicious organic baby lettuces and black bean and corn salad with five-seed, stone-ground corn strips and green tomatillo vinaigrette. Contains 6 grams protein and 6 grams fiber. 350 calories. Gluten-free.
The Organic PowerMeal
“In our busy world, meals that can deliver health, flavor and convenience are what consumers are longing for," said Judy Chen, chief marketing officer for Earthbound Farm. “Consumers told us they want ready-to-eat salad meals that taste great, satisfy, and deliver a nutrient-dense punch. These all-organic PowerMeals, which are full of plant-based proteins, are a great answer to that search.”
Earthbound Farm is supporting the launch of these PowerMeals with the PowerUp Penelope Facebook game where people can play for great weekly prizes and a grand prize. Prizes increase in value depending on how many people are playing the game, which goes live on September 12, 2011 and runs into December.
Earthbound Farm’s organic PowerMeals, available at retailers nationwide in August 2011, have a suggested retail price of $4.99-$5.99 each.
Editor Note: High-resolution product photos are available upon request by contacting drew@freshideasgroup.com.
About Earthbound Farm
Founded in 1984 on a 2½-acre backyard garden, Earthbound Farm is one of the nation’s leading organic food brands. Earthbound Farm’s nationally-lauded food safety program is unparalleled in the produce industry. The company offers more than 100 varieties of certified organic salads, fruits, and vegetables grown on over 36,000 acres by 150 independent farmers. Taken together, those organic farming methods will keep more than 11.5 million pounds of conventional chemicals out of the soil, water, and air during 2011 alone. In addition to organic farming, Earthbound Farm brings a sustainability ethic to its packaging, and was the first salad producer to convert all its rigid plastic packaging to 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) PETE plastic. The company also uses 99% PCR paperboard for its shipping cartons and 100% PCR paper in its business machines. For more information, visit Earthbound Farm’s website at www.ebfarm.com.
Source: Earthbound Farm
