The Supermarket Guru Launches iPhone® App to Help Consumers Shop Smart When Filling Their Cart

OMAHA, Neb., Aug. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- ConAgra Foods, in partnership with shopping and trends expert Phil Lempert – a.k.a. the "Supermarket Guru -- announced today the launch of a new "Smarter Shopping" iPhone app. The free mobile app features the Supermarket Guru's tips to help lead consumers down the path of smarter shopping so they save money, eat better and expand their palate and knowledge of the latest food news and trends.

"Thanks to my partnership with ConAgra Foods, consumers can now get handheld access to my weekly grocery shopping tips, food trends, recall information and more with a free iPhone app," touts the Supermarket Guru himself, Phil Lempert. "The new iPhone app offers the great Supermarket Guru resources and tips and news you've come to know and love, in a convenient, on-the-go format."

Features of "Smarter Shopping" include Lempert's popular Tip of the Week, which helps consumers make better shopping decisions and save more money at the cash register. In addition to the weekly coupons and frequent shopper cards consumers already use, Lempert's tips show the "hidden ways to save." For example, when purchasing New York State Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Lempert suggests buying it from the dairy case rather than a cheese table or from the deli. Cheeses found in the dairy case are typically in a clear plastic wrap rather than fancy packaging, and can save consumers up to 40 percent on their cheese purchase. What consumers might not know is that as a result of federal law, cheeses aged for the same time coming from the same state, will actually be the same product.

The Smart Substitutes feature gives tips on replacement options for common recipes ingredients for health, allergy or weight control reasons. For example, if a recipe calls for one teaspoon of lemon juice, a half teaspoon of white vinegar is an acceptable substitute. Users can access the best uses and benefits of a number of foods and beverages with the Products 101 feature. Use this feature to learn about artificial sweeteners, kosher products, cooking oils, probiotics, shopping with food allergies, an A to Z wine glossary and more.

"As consumers become more and more discerning of their food purchases, the Label Translator can help demystify ingredients in one, quick tap," says Lempert. "For example, learn that carrageenan is actually just seaweed, or that docosahexaenoic acid is essentially an Omega-3 fatty acid and good for you!"

Other app features include:

• The Latest News and food trends with Lempert's weekly Food News Today webcast, plus Recalls and food safety alerts;
• Lempert's Hits & Misses feature for reviews and product ratings of the newest products at the grocery store;
• An Organics Guide, which guides shoppers on which organic products are worth the additional cost;
• A Produce Guide that directs consumers to which produce is ripe, or in season, in their area; and
• A Recipe Database for quick and easy recipes that you can sort by occasion, lifestyle and more
• A Label Translator helps demystify some of the most common ingredients on labels

It's no surprise that consumers are turning to their mobile devices for everything, including shopping. According to Google, 70 percent of consumers have used their smartphones while shopping in-store. A 2011 BabyCenter Mobile Mom report found that 62 percent of moms shopping with smartphones are using shopping apps. Now moms and other shoppers can add the "Smarter Shopping" app to their arsenal.

"The stats are clear. More and more consumers are turning to their mobile phones to seek answers while shopping, and this new iPhone app addresses that consumer need to get quick answers," says Brett Groom, senior vice president of content integration and activation at ConAgra Foods. "We're happy to be partnering with Phil Lempert for ConAgra Foods' first foray into the mobile app market as we bring savvy shopping advice to the fingertips of consumers."

Download the "Smarter Shopping" mobile app to get the best value from every grocery trip at the iTunes® store. Learn more about Phil Lempert, the Supermarket Guru, at www.supermarketguru.com.

ABOUT CONAGRA FOODS

ConAgra Foods, Inc., (NYSE: CAG) is one of North America's leading food companies, with brands in 97 percent of America's households. Consumers find Banquet, Chef Boyardee, Egg Beaters, Healthy Choice, Hebrew National, Hunt's, Marie Callender's, Orville Redenbacher's, PAM, Peter Pan, Reddi-wip, Slim Jim, Snack Pack and many ConAgra Foods brands in grocery, convenience, mass merchandise and club stores. ConAgra Foods also has a strong business-to-business presence, supplying frozen potato and sweet potato products as well as other vegetable, spice and grain products to a variety of well-known restaurants, foodservice operators and commercial customers. For more information, please visit us at www.conagrafoods.com.

ABOUT PHIL LEMPERT

Known as the Supermarket Guru®, Phil Lempert is a distinguished author and speaker who alerts customers and business leaders to impending corporate and consumer trends, and empowers them to make educated purchasing and marketing decisions. He is one of America's leading consumer trend-watchers and analysts, serving as a spokesperson for ConAgra Foods and making regular appearances on NBC News' Today show and ABC's The View. Lempert offers thorough food ratings, analyzes trends in food marketing and retail, and features health advice, unique recipes, nutrition analysis, allergy alerts and many other resources for consumers. Learn more about Phil Lempert at www.SupermarketGuru.com.

ABOUT BLOCKDOT

Blockdot, a Media General, Inc. company, is an award-winning specialty agency for brands and select partners.  For over 10 years, Blockdot has delivered immersive experiences that connect consumers and world-class brands in the digital arena — including American Airlines, Kraft, LEGO, Microsoft, Universal Studios, VISA and Verizon. Our technical and creative work captivates and informs audiences. More information can be found at www.blockdot.com.

SOURCE ConAgra Foods, Inc.