KESKO FOOD LTD PRESS RELEASE 01.09.2006 AT 12.00
On 1 September 2006, Kesko Food and Findus start cooperation that is unique in Finland by including texture modified foods in the selections of the K-food stores. The customer can order the product at any K-food store in Finland. Texture modified meals are suitable for people who have problems with chewing and swallowing and are thus unable to eat foods of normal texture. The selection case on sale from now on contains four different soft meals for one.
There are an estimated 53,000 people living at home who have problems with chewing and swallowing. They include old or handicapped people, patients with mouth and pharynx surgeries or with neurological diseases, and cancer patients. Findus has been making texture modified products for institutional kitchens in the nursing sector for 30 years already. Starting from the beginning of September, the meals are also available at K-food stores. Cooperation between Findus Sverige and the ICA store chain in Sweden has served as an example.
Energy and protein contents, which are particularly important from the viewpoint of recovery and strength, have been taken into account in the meals. Smooth texture and plentiful sauce make food easy to swallow and safe. The nice appearance and clear sections of the meal stir the appetite. When heated either in a microwave or a conventional oven, the meal is ready to eat. The package of four meals consists of fish and peas with lemon and dill sauce, veal and mixed vegetables with red wine sauce, beef and broccoli with bearnaise sauce, and chicken and carrots with pepper sauce. All meals include mashed potatoes.
Kesko Food operates in the grocery market offering diverse trading sector services to consumers and business customers in Finland and, through the joint venture, in the Baltic countries. It manages and develops K-food store chains in Finland and is responsible for their marketing, purchasing and logistics services, store site network and retailer resources. Kesko Food's net sales totalled €3,830 million in 2005. There were about 1,200 K-food stores in Finland at the end of 2005.
The Findus Group is part of FoodVest Ltd whose net sales are approximately €1,250 million. Findus, which is one of the leading producers of frozen foods in Europe, operates both in the retailing and foodservice sector. Findus Finland Oy is responsible for business in Finland and has net sales of about €25 million.
Further information:
Purchasing Manager Sirpa Koppinen-Lindström, Kesko Food Ltd, tel. +358 1053 22015 or +358 50 511 0333
Key Account Manager Pia Stenström, Findus Finland Oy, Special Foods, tel. -358 2015 20233 or +358 40 720 0125
Purchasing Manager Sirpa Koppinen-Lindström, Kesko Food Ltd, tel. +358 1053 22015 or +358 50 511 0333
Key Account Manager Pia Stenström, Findus Finland Oy, Special Foods, tel. -358 2015 20233 or +358 40 720 0125