Tyson Looney Tunes Meals

With much fanfare and a fifteen million dollar advertising campaign,[1] Tyson Foods launched a line of Looney Tunes TV dinner's just for kids in 1990. They were based on cartoon characters licensed from Warner Brothers[2][3] Similar products introduced by other companies about the same time for children aged 2 to 10 included Hormel "Kid's Kitchen," ConAgra Banquet brand "Kid Cuisine," and "My Own Meals."[4]

The varieties included:

Chicken Nuggets, Macaroni & Cheese (later Applesauce) & Carrots

Beef Ravioli in Tomato Sauce

Spaghetti & Meatballs in Tomato Sauce, Corn & Oatmeal Cookies

Pasta in Pizza Sauce with Pepperoni

Turkey Breast with Dressing & Gravy, Green Beans & Fudge Cookies

Pepperoni Pizza, Corn & Fudge Brownie

Pasta in Spaghetti Sauce with Meat

Hot Dog, Tater Chunks & Corn

Patty Deluxe Sandwich with Cheese, Tater Chunks & Cherry Cobbler

Chicken Sandwich, Potato Wedges (later Tater Chunks) & Applesauce

Pasta in Pizza Sauce with Italian Sausage

Beef Enchiladas in Enchilada Sauce, Spanish Rice & Corn

Fish Sticks, Tater Chunks (later Mashed Potatoes) & Green Beans

Pasta in Cheesy Pizza Sauce

Macaroni & Cheese, Green Beans & Applesauce

Hamburger Pizza, Green Beans & Oatmeal Cookies

BBQ Glazed Chicken, Mashed Potatoes & Corn Nuggets (later Corn)

The packages featured Looney Tunes characters on the front, and contained trading cards and stickers.[10] They came in a divided tray, with a main course, a side dish, and a dessert.[11]The dinners were to be heated in the microwave oven for two minutes, rotated, and heated for another one or two minutes, then allowed to stand for an additional two to three minutes, for a prep time of five to seven minutes.[12] The dinners were finally taken off the market in late 1993, because of declining sales. Negative factors included limitations on discretionary spending in a recession, and doubts about the nutritional value of the dinners.[13][14]The meals were criticized for excess fat and salt.[15]

References

  1. ↑ "Selling America's kids: Commercial pressures on kids of the 90's. Licensing and cross-selling," Consumers Union. Retrieved February 15, 2011
  2. ↑ Yasuda, Gene "Companies See Cold Cash in Courting Young Taste Buds," Los Angeles Times, San Diego County Edition, July 17, 1990, Business section, Part D, page 2A. Retrieved February 15, 2011
  3. ↑ Grodner, Terri "How nutritious are TV dinners for tots? (includes microwave heating safety note)," Environmental Nutrition, October 1, 1990. Retrieved February 15, 2011
  4. ↑ Webb, Densie, "Eating well," The New York Times, February 14, 1990. Retrieved February 15, 2011
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Stoneback, Diane and Kraft, Irene "Miniature Meals Packaged Dinners For Children Feed Growing Hunger For Convenience," The Morning Call, McCalls Magazine, April 17, 1991. Retrieved February 15, 2011
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Schantz, Donna M., "Beep Beep! Here come microwave meals for kids," Richmond Times-Dispatch, July 19, 1990, page E1. Retrieved Febryuary 15, 2011
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Tennison, Patricia "A taste test of Looney Tunes, other kids meals," Chicago Tribune, March 14, 1991. Retrieved February 15, 2011.
  8. ↑ The Associated Press, published in The Tuscaloosa News, May 9, 1990. Retrieved February 15, 2011
  9. ↑ Adweek, 1990, Volume 31, Issues 10-18, page 61.
  10. ↑ Blonz, Edward R., Ph.D. "Kids' TV meals require scrutiny," The Baltimore Sun, September 25, 1991, page 1C. Retrieved February 15, 2011
  11. ↑ Petkofsky, Andy "Zap-a-meal," Richmond Times-Dispatch, July 18, 1990, page 27. Retrieved February 15, 2011
  12. ↑ Tipton, Tom "KIDS IN THE KITCHEN : Time-Saving Meals Children Can Make : Trends: Frozen dinners are being marketed to young children in busy households. Parents must read labels, however, to ensure good nutrition.," Los Angeles Times, June 28, 1990. Retrieved February 15, 2011
  13. ↑ Dyslin, John "Kids meal meltdown - demand for kid's frozen meals drops. Prepared Foods, October, 1993. Retrieved February 15, 2011
  14. ↑ "Youngsters often have gap between mind and mouth," The Associated Press, published in The Tuscaloosa News, January 27, 1993. Retrieved February 15, 2011
  15. ↑ Sagon, Carol "Frozen far for the crayon crowd," St. Louis Post Dispatch, March 2, 1992. Retrieved February 15, 2011

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