Supplier press release: New improved format for cooked sliced turkey breast in stock

Bernard Matthews Foodservice has improved the format of one its most popular roast dinner products in the Big Green Tick range of British turkey cuts and ingredients for schools.

The leading turkey specialist has altered the format of its whole muscle Cooked Sliced Turkey Breast in Stock product to improve portion control, helping education caterers tap into demand for one of children's favourite meals in the school week.

Each pack of Quality British turkey breast slices now contains a minimum of 20 slices per 1kg pack, with each slice a consistent size and shape for excellent plate fill and optimum portion control, making the product easy to serve and keeping wastage to a minimum.

Low in saturated fat, each turkey breast slice is made from fully traceable, British turkey and contains less than 2% of a child's GDA for fat, saturated fat and salt per portion.

Duncan Marsh, general manager for Bernard Matthews Foodservice, said most caterers would testify that roast dinner was one of the favourite lunches in the school week.

"Last year, one million meals were served up by schools and caterers to mark the Food for Life Partnership's national Roast Dinner Day8," he said. "As a key ingredient, British turkey has been experiencing a renaissance as more and more caterers realise its all year round appeal as a versatile, white meat that could save them money in a tough, economic climate.

"Our new improved format Cooked Sliced Turkey Breast in Stock will be available from August in time for Autumn/Winter menus, and will play a starring role in Get Traditional Day on the Wednesday (November 7th) of National School Meals Week (NSMW)."

Each slice has an average weight of 38g for perfect portion control, is low in fat, saturated fat and salt and free from hydrogenated fats, artificial colours, flavours and preservatives. Easy to prepare, these whole muscle, British turkey breast slices in stock can be reheated in a steam oven, conventional oven and microwave or as a boil in the bag.

Skinless turkey breast contains 20 percent fewer calories than beef, less than a third of the fat in pork and less than a sixth of the fat found in lamb, which has to be a selling point in modern day school catering, bearing in mind the food and nutrient based standards.

In terms of Big Green Tick provenance, each bird is cared for on the company's own farms across Norfolk, Suffolk and Lincolnshire in line with the Farm Animal Welfare Council's ‘5 Freedoms, with each farm Quality British Turkey and Assured Foods (Red Tractor) certified, welcoming visits from Defra and independent welfare bodies.

For more information, visit www.bernardmatthewsfoodservice.co.uk or call 0845 519 4097 for more on Get Traditional Day and NSMW 2012, visit www.iloveschoolmeals.co.uk.