FreshDirect Redesigns 4-Minute Meals Department; Launches Foodie Fantasy Sweepstakes

LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y., Oct. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- FreshDirect, New York City's premier online grocer which has long helped customers save time and money, today announced a new shopping experience for its popular 4-Minute Meals, offering customers a smarter, easier way to shop.  4-Minute Meals, prepared fresh daily in FreshDirect's kitchen, are crafted exclusively for FreshDirect from recipes by top chefs from Manhattan's finest restaurants. Customers can choose from over 80 options of restaurant-quality cuisine, using the highest quality of meats, fresh caught seafood and fresh from the farm vegetables. To mark the re-launch, FreshDirect has kicked-off the Foodie Fantasy sweepstakes, a chance to win exclusive behind the scenes access at some of Manhattan's best restaurants.

"For five years now, our customers have been enjoying the convenience of a fresh, chef-prepared meals in minutes," said Rick Braddock, CEO and Chairman of FreshDirect. "4-Minute Meals have been one of our best sellers and we are excited to introduce the new website experience, offering our customers a smarter, easier way to shop for their favorite 4-Minute Meals."

There are over 80 exquisite dishes from celebrity chef Terrance Brennan of Picholine and Artisanal restaurants, award-winning New Indian cuisine crafted by Chef Floyd Cardoz of Tabla, authentic Mexican by Rosa Mexicano, Chef Tina Bourbeau's Presto Italiano and a full line of complete, portion-controlled 500-calorie meals, including FreshDirect's Smart & Simple cuisine and EatingWell® Magazine's vegetarian meals.  

Each 4-Minute Meal uses special pressure cooker packaging to preserve the delicate flavor of fresh herbs and vegetables while maintaining the juiciness of meat and fish. Simply microwave the BPA-free container and enjoy a luscious meal in about 4 minutes.  The redesigned packaging is more enticing and clearly displays cooking and nutritional information, while suggesting additional meals that customers may like.

The redesigned website offers smart navigation making it easier than ever for customers to shop from the 4-Minute Meal line. With a sort and filter option customers can choose meals by ingredient, nutrition and price – helping shoppers purchase meals that match their preferences and dietary needs. Customers will now also have the ability to shop by most popular meals, customer favorites and seasonal favorites as well as enjoy a "Quick Buy" option to purchase meals in one-click from the website. Every week, one meal will be highlighted and offered at a special, discounted price.

To celebrate the new shopping experience, FreshDirect is hosting a Foodie Fantasy Sweepstakes, giving customers the chance to rub elbows with top New York City chefs and go behind the scenes at their restaurants. The four exclusive prizes are:

• An Evening with Chef Terrance Brennan - Enjoy a 7-course private tasting menu with wines for four with celebrated chef Terrance Brennan in his two-Michelin-starred French Mediterranean restaurant, Picholine.

• Rosa Mexicano's Spicy Secrets - One lucky winner will discover the time-tested techniques that have made Rosa Mexicano NYC's preeminent Mexican restaurant for over 25 years with an exclusive cooking lesson from Rosa Mexicano's culinary director David Suarez, plus a special lunch and mixology lesson for two within the dazzling dining room at Rosa Mexicano Union Square.

• A Feast of Flavor from the Chefs at FreshDirect – A one-of-a-kind, epicurean selection of FreshDirect foods, hand-picked by FreshDirect chefs' Michael Stark and Tina Bourbeau.

Customers can enter to win the sweepstakes through 12/31/2010 and see Rules at www.freshdirect.com/win4mm. Must be 21 & older and residing in a FreshDirect delivery area to enter.  Shop the newly re-designed 4-Minute Meal department at www.freshdirect.com/4mm.

About FreshDirect

FreshDirect is one of the nation's leading online food brands and grocery providers, known for its convenient home delivery service and its offering of fresh, delicious food. FreshDirect has fulfilled more than 12 million orders to date. Their ever-expanding service area includes most of Manhattan, locations in Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island and the Bronx, as well as parts of New Jersey, Connecticut, Westchester and Nassau County. FreshDirect ranks 70 on Internet Retailers America's Top 500 guide. For more information, visit www.freshdirect.com.

SOURCE FreshDirect