Also in the soup aisles, Progresso's chief rival, Campbell Soup Co. (Camden, N.J.), announced several soup initiatives and updates for fiscal 2004. “Kitchen Classics” is a line of ready-to-serve soups priced between condensed and premium ready-to-serve soups. Featuring 10 varieties, including Lentil and New England Clam Chowder, Kitchen Classics will replace Campbell's Classics line and takes advantage of Campbell's proprietary cold-blend process, which is said to enhance flavor and improve texture. A total of 14 condensed chicken varieties will be improved with the cold-blend processes in fiscal 2004.
Campbell's also will add seven new varieties to its M'm! M'm! Good! To Go line of single-serve microwaveable soups. Three of these new flavors will target the Tween market, and six varieties of Chunky and four versions of Select soups will appear in new single-serve, microwaveable bowls.