Great Holiday Gift Idea for College Students Missing Home Cooking!

Ethnic Foods + Meatless Meal Options = Winning Food Choices for Today’s Busy College Students

Fantastic World Foods Introduces College Survival Kit: Ethnic, vegetarian soups and side dishes perfect for busy college students who enjoy healthy foods with an international flair

November 7, 2006 (NAPA, CA) — Today’s college students are not just studying to become tomorrow’s leaders. They are also adventurous eaters, whose appetites are fueling several food trends that are sweeping the nation – increasingly relying on ethnic tastes and meatless meal options to stay healthy while away from mom’s home cooking. With the holiday season right around the corner, Fantastic World Foods is responding to these changing dietary habits by introducing a College Survival Kit – a creative package of chef-inspired ethnic soup cups and hummus mix perfect for busy students who want to continue to discover new and convenient ethnic foods without relying on mom – or their own rudimentary cooking skills – to re-create recipes while away from home.

According to a study by the ARAMARK Corporation, an international company specializing in foodservice, nearly one in four college students today indicated that vegan food options on campuses were important to them. According to Jodi Smith, marketing manager at the National Association of College and University Food Services, a major trend on campuses is an increased consumer interest in the history and origin of food – including an emphasis on flavor layering and ethnic seasonings. The Fantastic World Foods College Survival Gift Pack includes products that fit into both of these trends.

“Today’s college students are more globally-minded and their palates reflect that as they look to discover new bold and sophisticated food choices that represent a variety of cultures. We’re excited to offer a creative selection of ethnic soups and side dishes so students (who don’t have the luxury of mom’s steady supply of home cooking) can still enjoy wholesome, delicious food that’s nutritious and adventurous,” says Erin Fray, brand steward for Fantastic World Foods. “Our soups, entrées and side dishes have been developed by chefs who realize the importance of great taste. Just add hot water or microwave – these soups are an easy choice for healthier alternatives to high-fat snacks as a study pick-me-up.”

Just in time for holiday gift giving, the Fantastic Foods College Survival Kit includes the following ethnic soup cups, side dishes and other items to satisfy adventurous tastes:

• Spicy Thai: The flavors of Thailand in a spicy broth thick with Asian noodles, beautifully accented with lemongrass, lime, ginger and peanuts.
• Vegetarian Chicken Noodle: Moms everywhere will approve of this thick and flavorful vegetarian chicken broth loaded with tagliatelle, noodles and chunks of real carrot.
• Buckaroo Bean Chili: From the company known for its vegetarian chili, this soup spurs on the legacy with layered flavors of chili and cayenne throughout the tomato-spiked puree of pinto beans stirred with diced bell peppers and onion.
• Hummus: A delicious mix with garbanzo beans and tahini, seasoned with garlic, lemon, and savory spices – just add water to create an easy party dip.
• A “Firefly” water bottle lantern that turns an included polycarbonate water bottle into a convenient lantern for use in the dorm room or on backcountry adventures.
• A Chinese soup spoon adds an Eastern flair to the global culinary adventure.

Fantastic World Foods, the 30-year-old pioneer and mainstay of the all-natural and organic space recently re-launched its brand of vegetarian entrées, side dishes, simmer soups, and soup cups, and is introducing a new line of 16 chef-created soup cups in order to better resonate with the core segment of the American population looking for healthy, convenient global foods. Based on the theme of “A Never-Ending Discovery,” the Fantastic World Foods package sports the new “World Foods” nomenclature as its brand identity.

Fantastic World Foods is known as the company that created the all natural soup cup and authentic Asian noodle cup categories and gained consumer allegiance in the 70s and 80s for its instant mixes for hummus, tabouli, black beans and falafel. The company is building on this foundation with ethnically inspired chef-developed flavors. Each re-designed package includes destination photography that helps consumers more clearly identify with the exotic locations where each recipe originates. The packaging also includes a travel story that brings these locations and travel experiences to life.

Every Fantastic World Foods package includes a checklist of Fantastic Assurances showcasing that each product is all natural or organic. In addition, the checklist includes detailed information about whether specific products are vegan, kosher, gluten or yeast free, low in fat or a good source of fiber, iron or other specific vitamins.

The new College Survival Kit is available online for $26.99 (plus shipping and handling). Fantastic World Foods products are also available nationwide in natural food and grocery stores.

The bar has once again been set high by one of the originators of the natural and organic food movement. Part of the Homegrown Naturals family of brands, which also includes Annie’s Homegrown, Consorzio and Annie’s Naturals, Fantastic World Foods is one of the nation’s leading natural food companies, offering more than 40 delicious and innovative all-natural vegetarian products.

CONTACT: Brianna Gallett or Trish Scorpio at 651/228-9141 for more information, interviews, samples or photography .