KANSAS CITY — The freezer aisle is heating up with functional and flavorful innovation.

Dole Packaged Foods, LLC has debuted Dole Boosted Blends Berry Spark smoothie cubes made with blueberries, bananas, blackberries, dark cherries, acai and flax. The ingredients incorporated in the smoothies are linked to brain and cognitive health support. 

“Prompted by the pandemic, consumers today are looking to boost their physical, emotional, and mental well-being more than ever,” said Orzse Hodi, senior vice president and managing director, Americas, Dole Packaged Foods, LLC. “We’ve developed Dole Boosted Blends Berry Spark as a nutritious and convenient smoothie that allows individuals to harness the health benefits of a thoughtfully curated combination of plant-based ingredients to help with memory and focus.”

B&G Foods is expanding its Green Giant lineup of frozen vegetable products. New restaurant-style side dishes include cauliflower and fire-roasted onions with garlic butter, honey glazed carrots with sage butter, garlic Parmesan green beans and teriyaki cauliflower and broccoli. New zucchini tots are available in Parmesan cheese, sour cream and onion and pizza flavors. A line of vegetable spiral skillet blends combine sauces, zucchini spirals and vegetables. Varieties are marinara, teriyaki and garlic basil.

Ben & Jerry’s, a business of Unilever, has teamed with chocolate maker Tony’s Chocolonely in a shared mission to end modern slavery and child labor in the cocoa industry. The brand will roll out Chocolatey Love A-Fair ice cream, which includes chocolate ice cream, with salted caramel swirls and chunks.

The Kraft Heinz Co. has partnered with Popbar, a frozen desserts company, to create the Oscar Mayer Cold Dog at select Popbar locations. Inspired by the iconic wiener, the Cold Dog has smoky, umami notes and a swirl of “mustard,” according to the company.

“After the overwhelming fan excitement for our beloved Cold Dog, it was a no-brainer to make this hot dog-inspired frozen pop a reality,” said Anne Field, head of North American brand communications, Oscar Mayer. “For more than 130 years, Oscar Mayer has been sparking smiles and bringing levity into everyday moments, and we are thrilled to bring fans another wonderfully odd way to enjoy our iconic wiener while beating the summer heat.”