Disney Pushes Branded Produce, Snacks at Retail

Disney is expanding its licensed fruit and vegetables products and its good-for-you push by launching new character-themed items this fall.

The new line, called Disney Garden, includes Foodles, a combination of fruits, vegetables and sides like dips, raisins, crackers or cheese in a Mickey Mouse-shaped tray.

Another product, Disney Garden Fresh Veggies & Sauce, features cut vegetables with a microwavable sauce. Varieties include Totally Teriyaki Sugar Snap Peas, Sunny Honey Orange Carrot Coins, Threezy Cheezy Broccoli Bites, Lemon Butter Blast Broccoli Bites and Pizzalicious Broccoli Bites.

Offering kids healthy snacking options, Disney is also launching Quick Snacks, fruits and vegetables paired with dips, including carrots and light ranch dressing, or celery and peanut butter. Another new item includes fresh veggies and fruit in ready to eat, individual servings available in sliced apples, carrots, celery or sugar snap peas.

The products, produced by Disney Consumer Products and licensee Imagination Farms, were unveiled last weekend at the Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit in Houston. Each meets Disney’s food guidelines, which limit the number of calories, fat, saturated fat, sugar and sodium, the company said.

Disney Garden items are expected to hit stores including Winn Dixie and Albertson’s in November. In-store promotions and retail circulars will support the launch, Disney said.

Disney is using creative packaging to further appeal to kids and parents.

“We’ve packaged the line in a colorful way that truly captures Disney’s magical appeal,” said Harry Dolman, executive vice president, Disney Consumer Products, food, health and beauty category, in a statement. “Parents want healthier options that are easy to prepare and serve, and kids like tasty choices that are fun and appealing.”

Pairing healthy food items with cartoon characters isn’t new for Disney. The company ramped up efforts to last year promote healthy eating among kids when it ended its long-term marketing relationship with McDonald’s for Happy Meal premiums.

Other kid properties, including Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products and Sesame Workshop, have also used their characters to promote healthy eating habits to kids.