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Amy's Kitchen

US organic vegetarian food group Amy's Kitchen believes it has significant opportunities to ramp up sales. However, the company must balance its growth aspirations against the need to maintain the quality and values it says have been key to its success. Katy Askew spoke to VP of marketing at Amy's Kitchen, Bridget Dwyer, to find out more.

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Amy's Kitchen, the US frozen-food, organic and free-from business, is a quarter of a century old this year but there is a passion - almost a sense of mission - one would normally associate with a start-up. Dean Best spoke to co-owner Amy Berliner and European commercial director Damien Threadgold about the company's plans.

Amy's Kitchen, the US frozen-food, organic and free-from business, has secured listings at 1,000 Picard stores in France, Belgium, Sweden and Switzerland.

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One story dominated the headlines this week - the plans by Heinz and Kraft Foods Group to join forces and create the world's fifth-largest food and drinks group. Elsewhere, French co-ops Agrial and Eurial said their plans to combine their dairy businesses had been put on hold. There was also sad news from the French food sector with news of a fatal explosion at desserts firm Senagral.

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Amy's Kitchen has become the latest US food manufacturer to issue a recall over concerns organic spinach used in the production of its frozen meals could be contaminated with listeria monocytogenes.

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just-food is at the ExCel centre in London's Docklands today for a new industry event. Food Matters Live, launched this year, is a three-day conference and exhibition, which, organisers say, "bring together the food and drink industry, retailers, foodservice providers, government, and those working in nutrition and health to tackle one of the most important challenges of our time - the relationship between food, health and nutrition".

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US natural and organic food group Amy's Kitchen has acquired a former Heinz facility in Idaho.

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Amy's Kitchen plans to open a manufacturing plant for its range of organic products in Goshen, New York state.

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After UK organic baby food firm Ella's Kitchen was snapped up by a US buyer a fortnight ago, last week a peer across the pond revealed it agreed to sell to Danone, representing the Aptamil and Cow & Gate owner's move into the category.

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The week ended on a high note for Morrisons last week after it announced a venture to launch into the online channel with Ocado. The deal has again fuelled speculation that the deal could upset Ocado's current arrangement with Waitrose. Other deals this week included the acquisition of US baby food firm Happy Family by Danone. just-food also spoke with founder of Amy's Kitchen, Amy Berliner about its growth plans.

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US frozen food manufacturer Amy's Kitchen is extending its free-from ready meal range in the UK with the launch of two new dishes.