Eat In (The Co-operative Group)
Launched: September 2010
Each pack in this 17-strong range contains enough for two, all meat and poultry is 100% British and all fish products are responsibly sourced. The range launched with an offer of £5 for an Eat In meal plus two products from a selection of prepared side dishes, such as Cabbage & Leek Medley.

Four new additions hit shelves in time for Valentine's Day, including Sweet Chilli Elmwood Chicken Breasts (£3.49) and the vegetarian Sweet Potato and Tomberry Filo Pastry Tart (£3.29).


Charlie Bigham's

Launched: October 2010
Charlie Bigham relaunched his ready meals after feedback that consumers wanted 'a night to catch up with their partner and eat good food'.

New dishes include Macaroni Cheese with a Gran Padano sauce and crunchy breadcrumbs and pancetta topping (rsp: £5.99). Packaging was also refreshed, as reported in The Grocer's Focus on Packaging (22 January).


Lovely Vegetables (Marks & Spencer)
Launched: December 2010
M&S has launched nine complete vegetable meals (rsp: £3.99) and three snack pots (rsp: £2.99).

"Each meal has at least two of your five a day," says Lesley Anderson, product developer, healthy meals at Marks & Spencer. Dishes are seasonal, so, for example, the beetroot and goat's cheese risotto will give way to a spring vegetable risotto.


Pastabox (Sodebo)
Launched: March 2011
This ready-to-eat single serving of fresh pasta comes in a microwaveable container, designed for eating direct from the pot with the fork supplied. Microwaveable in two minutes and retailing at a minimum of £2.99, it will be available in four flavours: Penne à la Bolognaise, Penne Carbonara, Fusilli with Italian Cheese and Tortellini with Spinach and Ricotta.

Focus On Chilled Ready Meals