Kahiki Foods Inc., a Columbus, Ohio, USA-based supplier of frozen Asian meals and appetizers, has named Bob Helland as its new vice president of sales. He brings more than 28 years of experience in the consumer packaged goods industry to the job, having previously managed brand sales and distribution systems for companies ranging from General Mills and Pillsbury to Morningstar Foods and Bran Zan Holdings.
Helland will lead Kahiki Foods’ sales team, with a sharpened focus on trade marketing programs and developing deeper relationships with retailers across the USA.
“When I was first introduced to Kahiki, I was impressed by their strength in the Asian category,” said the new vice president. “This is a brand that offers exceptional products, quality and a broad level of distribution in the right markets. Kahiki Foods has built a strong foundation and we’re poised to take that to the next level of success.”
The company intends to debut three new products in early 2015, introducing the frozen Asian food category’s first steam-in-bag meals. Among the launches will be Chicken Lo Mein and Chicken Fried Rice, which are portioned to serve two persons and can be prepared in a microwave oven in less than 10 minutes.
A third new product, StirFresh Sesame Chicken, represents an expansion in the company’s line of StirFresh skillet entrées. Each StirFresh meal for two, which can be prepared in a skillet or wok in 12 minutes, comes with a sauce packet so consumers can customize the dish to suit their preferences. Sesame Chicken will be the sixth flavor available in the StirFresh range.
Kahiki’s offerings, all of which contain natural ingredients and are free of additives and preservatives, as well as MSG, can be found at membership warehouse clubs, supermarkets and other retail outlets. They are also menued by foodservice operators nationwide.
