did kraft change their mac and cheese noodles

Chicago Mercantile: Certain market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. US market indices are shown in real time, except for the S&P 500 which is refreshed every two minutes. Your CNN account Log in to your CNN account Strong demand, supply constraints and uncertainty increased input costs for Kraft, the company said in a letter to suppliers, adding that the “upward trend in packaging, transportation, ingredients and labor costs persists, reaching levels not seen in decades.” Those higher costs led to the company’s decision to raise prices. Dozens of its products got price hikes in recent months, including a 3.5% increase on a pack of EZ Mac and a 20% price hike for a 7.25-ounce dish of Kraft Big Bowl Macaroni and Cheese. Kraft’s mac & cheese affordability has also taken a hit recently. Banza and Annie’s also make similar products that market themselves as more wholesome than Kraft’s version. Goodles, for example, is a Gal Gadot-backed startup that sells boxed macaroni and cheese with more protein and fiber at a higher price. The boxes will include a mug, “a placemat for kids to color while the mac & cheese is being prepared,” and “a magnet with breakfast topping suggestions, like crumbled sausage, bacon or scrambled eggs,” according to the press release - so Kraft wants parents to add foods they would normally serve their kids as breakfast foods as toppings to their mac and cheese.Kraft said the new name and box are part of an effort to rebrand its mac & cheese as “comfort food.” That distinction helps it differentiate from healthier products eating up shelf space. To promote its new campaign, Kraft will give away a limited-edition “Breakfast Box” this week.

The company launched a giveaway to promote the new look for the noodles. “These last few months have not been easy, and the struggle is real for parents with kids who are picky eaters,” the company said in a press release, adding that “56% of parents have served their kids Mac & Cheese for breakfast more often during COVID-19 related state lockdowns than previous months.” Fewer people are commuting, and breakfast has become a home meal once again. Breakfast in particular has been a boon for the prepared foods business - and a struggle for restaurants like Starbucks and McDonald’s, which have invested huge amounts of money and resources into luring commuters with coffee and quick-serve food. Americans are eating at home more during the pandemic, and that’s been good news for Kraft Heinz.

Did kraft change their mac and cheese noodles