MINNEAPOLIS (June 10, 2013) – Do cartoon characters make cereal taste better? Is there something fun and dangerous about getting less for your money? MOM Brands certainly doesn’t think so – and knows that consumers don’t think so either. To showcase the marketing tactics used by many traditional CPG companies, the company partnered with Second City Communications, the business solution division of the world renown improvisational theatre company, The Second City, to produce a series of fun videos with real consumers to illustrate what people really want is simply a great product at a great price.

These enlightening videos show consumers participating in what they think are real focus groups, moderated by Second City Communications actors. The 11-video series demonstrates how perceptive consumers are when it comes to advertising, value and packaging waste, and highlights that they’re not easily fooled by things like mascots and endorsements.

“We know that our consumers are really smart, especially when it comes to their food choices, and these videos proved us right,” said Linda Fisher, director of corporate communications for MOM Brands. “At the end of the day, what they’re really looking for is a breakfast that tastes great and is a true value, and that’s exactly what our cereals provide.”

Staying true to its tradition of doing things a little differently than its competitors, MOM Brands will use these videos online and on its social channels, foregoing traditional advertising in favor of more creative and cost effective approaches that allow the company to pass on even more savings to consumers. To view the video series, visit http://www.malt-o-meal.com/second-city/.

About MOM Brands

Family owned since 1919, MOM Brands has a growing portfolio of brands, from ready-to-eat cereal to instant oatmeal and hot wheat. Over the last six years, American families have saved over one billion dollars on breakfast cereal, simply by choosing MOM Brands cereals over more expensive varieties[1]. Dedication to finding better ways to make a better breakfast at a better price has made MOM Brands America’s fastest growing cereal company. The company also continually innovates to produce, package and transport its cereals in ways that reduce environmental impact. MOM Brands does business in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Learn more at www.MOMBrands.com.

Each bag of Spooners contains biscuits with flavored morsels baked into the middle. The biscuits are based on the MOM Brands award-winning, proprietary 12-layer biscuit, and are made with whole grain wheat. Most varieties also contain triticale – a cross between rye and wheat, with higher levels of essential amino acids. The new cereal is free of artificial flavors and preservatives, with no hydrogenated oils or high fructose corn syrup. All varieties carry the Whole Grain Stamp from the Whole Grains Council and have at least five grams of fiber per serving. Spooners are available in the following flavors:

• Mixed Berry Multigrain Spooners: Made with blueberry morsels baked inside and a just-sweet-enough raspberry frosting
• Cinnamon Multigrain Spooners: Made with 43 grams of whole grains per serving and cinnamon morsels baked inside
• Original Multigrain Spooners: Each serving has 55 grams of whole grains and 7 grams of fiber for a no-nonsense breakfast
• Frosted Multigrain Spooners: A 12-layer biscuit with a touch of sweetness baked inside, along with 44 grams of whole grains
• Chocolate Spooners with Chocolate Chips: For the kid in all of us…a chocolate fix that’s good for you

“We’re committed to providing families with nutritious breakfast options, and we think this new line of cereal hits the sweet spot for people looking for a healthy option, with a touch of sweetness baked in,” said Linda Fisher, director of corporate communications for MOM Brands. “The new Spooners cereals give families a better breakfast at a better price, and that’s something we strive to do with all of our family favorite varieties.”

Spooners brand cereal delivers on MOM Brands’ commitment to high quality at an affordable price. One in 10 servings of breakfast cereal eaten every day is a MOM Brands cereal. The company’s brand portfolio includes a wide variety of cereals, ranging from Malt-O-Meal^® brand family-favorite ready-to-eat varieties to the 23 flavors of Better Oats^® instant oatmeal.

About MOM Brands

MOM Brands is the largest family owned cereal company in the U.S. The company has produced quality cereal products since 1919 and manufactures many varieties of oatmeal, family favorite ready-to-eat and natural cereals as well as its original, farina-based hot cereal. Today, one in 10 servings of breakfast cereal eaten every day is a MOM Brands cereal. Dedicated to finding better ways to make a better breakfast at a better price, MOM Brands is continually innovating to produce, package and transport its cereals in ways that reduce environmental impact. For more information about MOM Brands and its cereal products please visit www.MOMBrands.com.

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The sale, which begins at 7:30 a.m. and   in the Crystal Court at IDS Center, will run until noon, or until the cereal sells out. The company’s goal is to sell 25,000 bags of cereal, and for every bag purchased, MOM Brands will also donate another dollar, for a maximum donation of $50,000.

“We value our long-standing relationship with Malt-O-Meal and the support we receive from the MOM Brands annual cereal sale,” said United Way senior vice president of Workplace Markets Andy Goldman-Gray. “It’s a thrill to know that this event continues to generate such excitement. MOM Brands clearly knows how to engage their employees, their customers and our community, in order to make the Twin Cities region a healthier place to live.”

This year marks the 10th annual MOM Brands cereal sale in Minneapolis, which has raised nearly $500,000 to date for United Way. Based on the success of its annual cereal sales in Minneapolis, the company has partnered with local United Way affiliates across the country to give back in communities where MOM Brands production facilities are located. The company held a June cereal sale in St. Ansgar, IA, which raised $6,222 for United Way of North Central Iowa. MOM Brands’ Tremonton, UT plant hosted a sale Oct. 6, raising $17,700, and the company’s Asheboro plant raised $10,000 at its Sept. 22 sale. In all, the company expects to donate $84,000 to United Way affiliates across the country.

“We look forward to this sale every year, as it is an opportunity to get out into the community and champion a great organization that makes a significant difference in people’s lives every day of the year,” said Linda Fisher, MOM Brands’ director of corporate communications. “We’d like to thank everyone, in all the communities where we’ve sponsored Cereal Day for United Way events, for their enthusiastic support.”

About MOM Brands

MOM Brands is the largest family owned cereal company in the U.S. The company has produced quality cereal products since 1919 and manufactures many varieties of oatmeal, family favorite ready-to-eat and natural cereals as well as its original, farina-based hot cereal. Today, one in 10 servings of breakfast cereal eaten every day is a MOM Brands cereal. Dedicated to finding better ways to make a better breakfast at a better price, MOM Brands is continually innovating to produce, package and transport its cereals in ways that reduce environmental impact. For more information about MOM Brands and its cereal products please visit http://www.MOMBrands.com.

About Greater Twin Cities United Way

Greater Twin Cities United Way addresses our community’s most critical issues by focusing on three key areas: Basic Needs, Education and Health. We attack poverty on multiple, interconnected fronts to achieve lasting change – through 10 measurable goals – by collaborating with business, government and nonprofit organizations to create solutions and carry out our call to action to LIVE UNITED by encouraging everyone to Give. Advocate. Volunteer. United Way serves people living in or near poverty in nine counties: Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott and western Washington. Join the movement. LIVE UNITED. For more information visit, www.unitedwaytwincities.org or call (612) 340-7400.

]]> http://www.malt-o-meal.com/2012/10/honey-nut-scooters-featured-on-the-today-show/feed/ 0 http://www.malt-o-meal.com/2012/10/mom-brands-cereals-win-cooking-light-taste-test-awards/ http://www.malt-o-meal.com/2012/10/mom-brands-cereals-win-cooking-light-taste-test-awards/#comments Mon, 01 Oct 2012 16:16:49 +0000 jolstad http://www.malt-o-meal.com/?p=5196 Continue reading →]]> Malt-O-Meal^® Honey Nut Scooters^® and Three Sisters^® Honey Oaties^® honored as 2012 Winners

MINNEAPOLIS (October 1, 2012) – Cooking Light magazine named two MOM Brands cereals to its 2012 “Taste Test Awards,” list, which appear in the magazine’s October issue. Malt-O-Meal Honey Nut Scooters was awarded the Grand Prize honor in the Honey Toasted Os cereal category, while Three Sisters Honey Oaties received a Taste Test Award. This is the second year in a row that MOM Brands cereals have been featured in the annual award list.

Nicknamed “The Tasties,” the Cooking Light awards highlight America’s best-tasting and healthiest grocery store products from across the country in 13 categories. To qualify, foods must be available in major markets nationwide and meet certain nutritional criteria; products that contain artificial trans fats, too much salt or too much saturated fat are not considered. Cooking Light editors and registered dieticians conduct a blind taste-test of 200 finalists to come up with the annual list of 30 winning products.

“We’re always proud when top experts on eating well reinforce what our loyal customers have been telling us for years, and what we’ve known for years – that MOM Brands offers a better choice when it comes to feeding their families,” said Linda Fisher, MOM Brands’ director of corporate communications. “All of our cereals hit the sweet spot of what consumers are looking for – high quality, great-tasting, and friendly on the wallet – and Honey Nut Scooters and Honey Oaties are no exception.”

Here is what Cooking Light had to say about the MOM Brands selections:

• GRAND PRIZE WINNER – Malt-O-Meal Honey Nut Scooters
  “A sweet malty note complements nutty, whole-grainy goodness (a serving provides 25% of the 48g daily whole-grain recommendation).”

• TASTE TEST AWARD – Three Sisters Honey Oaties
  “Nice crunch with a strong almond flavor; nuttier than a Three Stooges marathon.”

One of the company’s best-selling cereals, Honey Nut Scooters is made with real honey and no artificial colors or flavors. They also have fortified vitamins and minerals as well as a Whole Grain stamp of approval from the Whole Grains Council for packing in 12 grams of whole grain per serving.

Honey Oaties, free of artificial flavors or preservatives, hydrogenated oils and high fructose corn syrup, is made with 100 percent wind-generated electricity – making it a sustainable, sensible choice families love. Three Sisters brand cereals are sold exclusively at Whole Foods Market stores in the United States.

These wins follow hot on the heels of last year’s “Tasties” honors for MOM Brands. In 2011’s frosted shredded wheat cereal category,Malt-O-Meal Frosted Mini Spooners^® was named Grand Prize Winner and Three Sisters Sweet Wheat^® was a Taste Test Award winner.

The 2012 Taste Test Awards appear in the October issue, on newsstands now, and available online at CookingLight.com/TasteTestAwards.

About MOM Brands

MOM Brands is the largest family owned cereal company in the U.S. The company has produced quality cereal products since 1919 and manufactures many varieties of oatmeal, family favorite ready-to-eat and natural cereals as well as its original, farina-based hot cereal. Today, one in 10 servings of breakfast cereal eaten every day is a MOM Brands cereal. Dedicated to finding better ways to make a better breakfast at a better price, MOM Brands is continually innovating to produce, package and transport its cereals in ways that reduce environmental impact. For more information about MOM Brands and its cereal products please visit www.MOMBrands.com

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]]> http://www.malt-o-meal.com/2012/10/mom-brands-cereals-win-cooking-light-taste-test-awards/feed/ 0 http://www.malt-o-meal.com/2012/09/malt-o-meal-honeynutscooters-taste-test/ http://www.malt-o-meal.com/2012/09/malt-o-meal-honeynutscooters-taste-test/#comments Wed, 12 Sep 2012 14:48:13 +0000 jolstad http://www.malt-o-meal.com/?p=4843 Continue reading →]]> Honey Toasted Os

Testers tried each whole-grain cereal dry, then added milk to see how the Os held up.

GRAND PRIZE WINNER: Malt-O-Meal Honey Nut Scooters

A sweet malty note complements nutty, whole-grainy goodness (a serving provides 25% of the 48g daily whole-grain recommendation).

See all winners here

Currently, the 33-acre Asheboro facility employs 200 people and is already one of the largest employers in Randolph County. The MOM Brands expansion has added more than 350,000 square feet of production space, doubling the size of the facility. The project also adds more production lines, and an on-site, 80,000-square-foot warehouse that was completed last year. With this expansion, the company will be adding positions ranging from line managers to maintenance technicians.

“MOM Brands has been an outstanding addition to Asheboro and Randolph County’s economy. In a few short years, it has made a significant economic impact to our community,” said Bonnie Renfro, president of the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation (RCEDC). “We are delighted to see the new jobs as a result of this expansion. It’s a great career opportunity for our people at a time when unemployment continues to be too high and our residents need jobs more than ever.”

Chris Neugent, MOM Brands chairman and CEO, credits the growth of the Asheboro facility to the fact that MOM is the only major cereal company making strides in a large, but flat, category. Additionally, Neugent said there is increased demand for the Malt-O-Meal^® product line, which includes the company’s best-selling Frosted Mini Spooners^® and Frosted Flakes, as well as the popularity of the Better Oats^® instant oatmeal line.

“In this tough economy, we are proud that our success and long-term growth enables us to create more good jobs in Asheboro”, said Neugent. “And, just as important is our commitment to producing the highest quality cereals while saving families money every day. The mission of MOM Brands is to continue to find better ways to give families across America a better breakfast at a better price.”

Hiring will take place between October and November. Interested applicants can find out more information on the MOM Brands Career page on its website at www.mombrands.com/careers.

About MOM Brands

MOM Brands, formerly the Malt-O-Meal Company, is the largest family owned cereal company in the U.S. The company has produced quality cereal products since 1919 and manufactures many varieties of oatmeal, family favorite ready-to-eat and natural cereals as well as its original, farina-based hot cereal. Today, one in 10 servings of breakfast cereal eaten every day is a MOM Brands cereal. Dedicated to finding better ways to make a better breakfast at a better price, MOM Brands is continually innovating to produce, package and transport its cereals in ways that reduce environmental impact. For more information about MOM Brands and its cereal products please visit www.MOMBrands.com

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MOM Brands® Co., formerly known as Malt-O-Meal, makes giant bags of cereals that are essentially knockoffs of popular brands. Their Tootie Fruities brand is similar to Froot Loops and their Honey Nut Scooters brand is a Cheerios impostor, to name just two examples.

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“I am very honored to accept this award on behalf of all MOM Brands employees that serve Minnesota retailers,” said Hasper. “I am fortunate to work for a family company that has a long history of providing families a better breakfast for a better price. The MGA is an organization filled with outstanding retailers and suppliers, and I’m privileged to be a part of this wonderful organization.”

The annual MGA awards recognize outstanding industry accomplishments and involvement in the statewide organization. The MGA also called out MOM Brands’ commitment to innovation in support of its customers, specifically for keeping cereal prices affordable and for making new products like Better Oats^®, Bear River Valley^® and Mom’s Best^®.

“The Midwest MOM Brands sales team has dedicated and passionate sales representatives that provide superior service to independent retail grocery stores across Minnesota,” said Hasper.

Based in Minneapolis, MOM Brands employs 1,800 nationally, including 300 employees in corporate offices in Minneapolis and Lakeville and 800 employees at its largest production facility in Northfield.

About MOM Brands

MOM Brands is the largest family owned cereal company in the U.S. The company has produced quality cereal products since 1919 and manufactures many varieties of oatmeal, family favorite ready-to-eat and all-natural cereals as well as its original, farina-based hot cereal. Today, one in 10 servings of breakfast cereal eaten every day is a MOM Brands cereal. Dedicated to finding better ways to make a better breakfast at a better price, MOM Brands is continually innovating to produce, package and transport its cereals in ways that reduce environmental impact. For more information about MOM Brands and its cereal products please visit www.MOMBrands.com

About The Minnesota Grocers Association

The Minnesota Grocers Association is a state trade association representing the food retail industry since 1897. We have over 200 retail members with nearly 1,100 stores statewide, as well as approximately 100 distributors and manufacturers. Our member companies employ over 125,000 union and non-union Minnesotans. We actively advance the common interest of all of those engaged in any aspect of the retail food industry as a leader and advocate in government affairs.

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