Bob Evans® Foods and Sandra Lee Team Up to Deliver Farm Fresh Meals to Busy American Families

NEW ALBANY, Ohio, Sept. 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Sandra Lee is an internationally acclaimed expert in all things food and entertaining and is best known for her cooking made easy approach. By using ready-made store-bought foods, she makes serving up delicious, yet approachable everyday meals and party favorites look easy.

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To kick off the fall season, Bob Evans has teamed up with the celebrity chef to offer numerous mealtime solutions to busy families on the go made with their collection of side dishes that range from mashed potatoes to macaroni and cheese. Found in the refrigerated section of most local grocery chains, busy families can turn to them as a solution for a simple side dish or use them as a key ingredient when making one of the fun, semi-homemade recipes found at www.bobevans.com/recipes.

"I'm thrilled to be working with Bob Evans – their grocery food products are delicious and offer quality ingredients like their potato side dishes made with real potatoes, real milk and real butter," said Sandra Lee. "I appreciate the notion of quality side dishes that save time, taste homemade and go from package to table in a matter of minutes. I'm all about making life easier, so I'm happy to share my newest trick in the kitchen and will be turning to Bob Evans sides as I plan my fall and holiday recipes."

The recipes Sandra Lee created using Bob Evans Food Products can be found at Farm Fresh Ideas (www.bobevans.com/recipes) – a recipe club that provides members with delicious recipes made with Bob Evans Food Products, new & seasonal product information, a personalized recipe box, inspiration from bloggers and foodies and helpful tips & tricks that range from kitchen prep to home décor.

"Sandra Lee is the perfect fit for our brand because we're both committed to delivering great-tasting meals for today's busy families without sacrificing taste or quality," said Mike Townsley, President of Bob Evans Foods. "We have some of the best-selling refrigerated side dishes in the country, including America's #1 selling refrigerated mashed potatoes.* Now with Sandra Lee's support and the launch of Farm Fresh Ideas, consumers can enjoy our products even more with recipes that fit their busy lifestyle and entertaining needs."

Bob Evans' new Farm Fresh Ideas will launch with the following three new recipe collections to help make mealtime a more enjoyable experience for the entire family:

• Mad About Mashed Potatoes Collection: Celebrate everyone's love of mashed potatoes with an imaginative creation. From Sweet Potato Cookies to Loaded Mashed Potato Dinner Rolls, this collection offers a different take on the traditional savory spud, but without the peeling, chopping and boiling that comes along with homemade mashed potatoes.
• Savory Cupcakes Collection: Take a savory twist on an all-American classic dessert. Individual portions are growing in popularity and kids will love having their own Mini Meatloafs or for a spicy treat, serve Mini Taco Bowls.
• Pizza Party Collection: Toss the traditional toppings and take pizza making at home to a whole new level. Kids won't lose interest in dinner with recipes like the hand-held Hawaiian Pizza Cones, Baked Potato Pizza and Apple Cinnamon Streusel Dessert Pizza, all made with Bob Evans refrigerated sides. Kids can also take part in meal prep, since Bob Evans refrigerated side dishes can be prepared in a matter of minutes in the microwave.

For meal-planning inspiration all year round and to become a free member of Farm Fresh Ideas, visit www.bobevans.com/recipes.

*IRI Scan Sales Data Total US 52 Weeks Ending Aug. 9, 2015

About Sandra Lee
Sandra Lee, a multi-Emmy® and Gracie award-winner, became a household name for her simple but spectacular strategies in the kitchen and an internationally acclaimed expert in all things lifestyle. Sandra is the editor-in-chief of Sandra Lee Magazine and sandralee.com. As the host of multiple hit television shows on Scripps Networks including Food Network, HGTV and Cooking Channel, Sandra became a household name, and her user-friendly approach connected to broadcast audiences in 63 countries. Her philanthropic passions include work with countless organizations including UNICEF, No Kid Hungry, the Central Park Conservancy, Citymeals-on-Wheels, the Elton John AIDS Foundation and more. Since 2002, Sandra has written 27 cookbooks including a memoir, "Made From Scratch" and a novel, "The Recipe Box." 

In May of this year, at age 48, Sandra publically shared her breast cancer diagnosis and urged women to take charge of their health by getting screened. The Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program honored Sandra for her efforts with the Excellence in Cancer Awareness Award in September. She is committed to continuing her advocacy through Stand Up To Cancer and Susan G. Komen, among others.

About Bob Evans Farms, Inc.
BEF Foods, Inc., a subsidiary of Bob Evans Farms, Inc. is a leading producer and distributor of pork sausage and a variety of refrigerated and frozen convenience food items under the Bob Evans and Owens brand names. This includes some of the best-selling refrigerated sides dishes in the country, including America's #1 selling refrigerated mashed potatoes (*Source: IRI Scan Sales Data Total US 52 Weeks Ending Aug. 9, 2015).

Bob Evans Farms, Inc. also owns and operates full-service restaurants under the Bob Evans Restaurants brand name. At the end of the first fiscal quarter (July 24, 2015), Bob Evans Restaurants owned and operated 549 family restaurants in 19 states, primarily in the Midwest, mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions of the United States. For more information about Bob Evans Farms, Inc., visit www.bobevans.com.

SOURCE Bob Evans Foods