Looney Tunes Meals were a line of frozen dinners introduced by Tyson Foods in 1990. They were based on the characters from the eponymous Warner Bros. cartoon franchiseYasuda, Gene, Companies See Cold Cash in Courting Young Taste Buds, Los Angeles Times, San Diego County Edition, July 17, 1990, Business section, Part D, page 2A. Retrieved February 15, 2011 and targeted at children. The meals were discontinued in late 1993 because of declining sales.
History Released to coincide with Bugs Bunny's 50th birthday, the meals came packaged in blue boxes that featured a Looney Tunes character on the front, and were often marketed as coming with small prizes, including comic books, trading cards, and stickers.Blonz, Edward R., Ph.D., , The Baltimore Sun, September 25, 1991, page 1C. . Retrieved September 8, 2016. They came in a tray divided into three sections: a main course, a side dish, and a dessert (in some cases, there would instead be two side dishes included in place of the dessert).Petkofsky, Andy, Zap-a-meal, Richmond Times-Dispatch, July 18, 1990, page 27. Retrieved February 15, 2011 Instructions for the dinners stated they were to be heated in the microwave for 2 minutes, rotated, heated for another 1–2 minutes, then given an additional 2–3 minutes to cool off before serving, making for 5–7 minutes of preparation.Tipton, Tom, KIDS IN THE KITCHEN : Time-Saving Meals Children Can Make : Trends: Frozen dinners are being marketed to young children in busy households, Los Angeles Times, June 28, 1990. Retrieved February 15, 2011 These meals were similar to Kid's Kitchen and Kid Cuisine, other popular frozen dinner brands aimed at children from the time.Webb, Densie, Eating well, The New York Times, February 14, 1990. Retrieved February 15, 2011
The meals were launched with a $15 million advertising campaign.Selling America's kids: Commercial pressures on kids of the 90's. Licensing and cross-selling, Consumers Union. . Retrieved September 8, 2016. The meals received generally mixed reception from children, and there were concerns from parents regarding the nutritional value of the meals. They received criticism for using excessive fat and salt, going against their claims of providing a healthy meal.Sagon, Carol, Frozen far for the crayon crowd, St. Louis Post Dispatch, March 2, 1992. Retrieved February 15, 2011 Likely as a result of this and the 1990s economic recession, sales began to decline, and production on the meals ceased in 1993.
Varieties The meals were originally released with eight variations, with several other entries being introduced in later years. There would also be a pasta sub-variety in the line, introduced around 1992. Bugs Bunny Chicken Chunks – chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, and carrotsStoneback, Diane and Kraft, Irene, Miniature Meals Packaged Dinners For Children Feed Growing Hunger For Convenience, The Morning Call, McCalls Magazine, April 17, 1991. Retrieved February 15, 2011 Bugs Bunny and Tasmanian Devil Pasta – beef ravioli in tomato sauce Daffy Duck Spaghetti and Meatballs – spaghetti and meatballs in tomato sauce, corn, and oatmeal cookiesSchantz, Donna M., Beep Beep! Here come microwave meals for kids, Richmond Times-Dispatch, July 19, 1990, page E1. Retrieved February 15, 2011 Daffy Duck and Elmer Fudd Pasta – pasta in pizza sauce with pepperoni Elmer Fudd Turkey and Dressing – turkey breast with dressing and gravy, green beans, and fudge cookiesTennison, Patricia, A taste test of Looney Tunes, other kids meals Chicago Tribune, March 14, 1991. Retrieved February 15, 2011. Foghorn Leghorn Pepperoni Pizza – pepperoni pizza, corn, and fudge brownie Foghorn Leghorn and Henery Hawk Pasta – pasta in spaghetti sauce with meat Henery Hawk Hot Dog – hot dog, tater tots, and corn Porky Pig Patty Deluxe – sausage patty on a bun with cheese, tater tots, and cherry cobbler Road Runner Chicken Sandwich – chicken sandwich, potato wedges, and applesauceNew foods have kid appeal The Associated Press, published in The Tuscaloosa News, May 9, 1990. Retrieved February 15, 2011 Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote Pasta – pasta in pizza sauce with Italian sausage Speedy Gonzales Beef Enchiladas – beef enchiladas in salsa, Spanish rice, and cornAdweek, 1990, Volume 31, Issues 10-18, page 61. Sylvester Fish Sticks – fish sticks, tater tots, and green beans Sylvester and Tweety Pasta – pasta in cheesy pizza sauce Tasmanian Devil Chicken Drumsticks - chicken drumsticks, mashed potatoes, and corn Tweety Macaroni and Cheese – macaroni and cheese, green beans, and applesauce Wile E. Coyote Hamburger Pizza – hamburger pizza, green beans, and oatmeal cookies Yosemite Sam BBQ Glazed Chicken – chicken wings in barbecue sauce, mashed potatoes, and corn nuggets In later releases for some of these meals, the side dishes would be changed or altered.
References
External links Vintage TV ad for Tyson Looney Tunes Meals