New Suddenly Grain Salad™ Mixes Hit The Grain Aisle

MINNEAPOLIS, July 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Suddenly Salad™ is expanding its pasta salads to include grain salads. Now consumers can get more whole grains into their everyday diets. NEW Suddenly Grain Salad mixes are a completely new take on grains.

Suddenly Grain Salad mixes are a wholesome blend of grains such as brown rice, wild rice, wheat berries and quinoa, paired with flavorful herbs and spices in a boil-in-bag format for convenient prep. Dried fruit, vegetables and/or nut mix-ins along with a zesty-flavored dressing packet are included to create a blend of bold flavors and textures. Served cold or warm, the Harvest, Tuscan and Southwest Grain varieties make for a great side dish to brighten any meal occasion.

Consumers want to eat whole grains, but the preparation can be intimidating and the taste is often times lackluster. Suddenly Grain Salad mixes are the solution with easy preparation and delicious flavors that also delivers a naturally wholesome side dish. Containing at least 27 grams of whole grains per serving, Suddenly Grain Salad mixes are also a good source of fiber.

"A grain salad that you can eat cold is a novel concept," said Jeremiah Palmer, marketing manager, side dishes. "We know Americans love pasta salad, and they are trying to get more whole grains into their diet. This product is the perfect blend of these two desires and we're ecstatic to introduce it into the market in this 'all in one' convenient format."

"We identified whole grains and flavorful herbs consumers were familiar with, and on trend with what they are ordering when eating out or shopping," continued Palmer. "Eighty one percent of consumers are trying to consume more whole grains and many are adding it to the top of the grocery list of what they want to buy more of.¹"

The Harvest Grains mix includes Brown, Wild and Red Rice, Quinoa, Cranberries and Almonds with Blush Wine Vinaigrette and comes in a 6.7-ounce package. Tuscan Grains mix includes Brown Rice, Wheat Berries, Quinoa, Almonds and Red Peppers with Tomato Parmesan Herb Dressing and comes in a 5.9-ounce package. Southwest Grains mix has Brown Rice, Quinoa, Black Beans, Corn and Red Peppers with Chipotle Vinaigrette and is available in a 5.5-ounce package.

For those consumers that have loved Suddenly Pasta Salads, but want to get more whole grains into their diets, Suddenly Grain Salad mixes deliver those needs. Coming from a trusted brand known for convenience and great taste, Suddenly Grain Salad mixes are also just as easy to make and full of flavor, delivering delicious whole grain salads families will love.

Whole Grains
Quinoa, pronounced KEEN-wah, is a whole grain that has been cultivated since ancient times and is known as an ancient grain. It is valued for its high nutritional content such as protein and potassium.²

Whole grain brown, wild and red rice and wheat berries add a subtle nutty flavor and chewy texture. When mixed together, they add a delectable and nutritious bite to your salad.

Suddenly Grain Salad mixes are available at major grocery retailers in the rice and grains or pasta aisle and online. With a suggested retail price of $2.69 per package, each 5.5-6.7-ounce package makes 4 servings. For more information on the entire line of the eleven varieties of pasta and grain salad mixes, recipes and serving ideas go to www.suddenlysalad.com.

About General Mills
General Mills is one of the world's leading food companies, operating in more than 100 countries around the world. Its brands include Cheerios, Fiber One, Haagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, Yoplait, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Old El Paso, Wanchai Ferry, Yoki, and more. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., USA, General Mills had fiscal 2014 worldwide sales of US $17.9 billion. Visit www.generalmills.com.

¹ FMI Annual Survey "Shopping for Health"
² Whole Grains Council

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SOURCE Betty Crocker