Turkey Adds Variety, Familiarity, and Good Nutrition to Kids' Menus Nationwide

As operators seek to please kids' palates and meet parents' nutrition criteria, turkey is increasingly served up as a crowd-pleasing favorite.

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 1, 2004 -

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
Sherrie Rosenblatt, National Turkey Federation
202-898-0100 ext. 233, srosenblatt@turkeyfed.org
or Leslee McGovern, Devine & Pearson
617-472-2700 ext. 137 lmcgovern@devine-pearson.com

It's no secret that kids' menus are changing. The unadorned standard kid fare common to children's menus in the past (i.e. a hot dog on a bun) often served up little in the way of choice, culinary creativity or nutrition. That's why, according to the National Turkey Federation (NTF), turkey is taking center stage on many kids' menus today.

"Turkey is a familiar, nutritious food that picky eaters enjoy," notes Sherrie Rosenblatt, senior director of marketing and communications. "Yet many people don't know that turkey has 8 percent more protein than chicken or beef and 0 grams of saturated fat¹, which makes it more appealing to parents."

In addition to its nutritious punch, operators like turkey for its versatility. Walter Staib, chef proprietor at the City Tavern in Philadelphia, whose children's menu has been recognized by Restaurant Hospitality and From Mind to Menu, describes turkey as an adaptable protein that lends itself well to many preparations. He attributes its success on his kid's menu in a colonial potpie preparation to the protein's distinctive yet soft flavor, which appeals to a child's developing palate.

Many foodservice establishments are dishing up turkey on their kids' menus. Mimi's Café, voted by Child Magazine as one of the ten best restaurants for families, serves up a kid-sized turkey dinner called the "Gobble Gobble," which comes with fruit as an option on the side. Another restaurant in the top ten, Ruby Tuesday, features two turkey dishes for kids: a turkey quesadilla, made from turkey and cheese inside a whole-grain tortilla served with marinara sauce, and a sliced turkey dinner, served with broccoli, mashed potatoes and gravy.

Even more upscale establishments are tempting kids' taste buds with turkey. The Ritz Carlton New York, Central Park, offers a Baby Cassoulet made with turkey and white beans that provides a grown-up presentation with kid-friendly flavors.

New research from Strottmann, a youth and family market research agency, confirms what many operators have been seeing in their establishments: when eating out, kids want food that's good tasting and familiar, but also exciting and fun. Turkey's mild yet distinctive flavor pleases kids' palates and gives chefs the ability to create unique and fun kid-friendly dishes.

As operators update their kids' menus to add variety, excitement and healthful options, turkey is a natural fit. Pleasing both kids and parents can be tricky, but turning to turkey may be the perfect solution. For free turkey recipes, visit www.eatturkey.com, which features easy, nutritious and great-tasting menu ideas.

Note to editors: "Turkey. The Perfect Protein™" logo and press kit are available for download from the pressroom at www.eatturkey.com. 1) Nutri-facts Update, a skinless, cooked 3-ounce turkey breast contains no saturated fat and 26 grams of protein, 8 percent more protein than a 3-ounce skinless, cooked chicken breast or 3-ounce, cooked top loin steak, trimmed of visible fat.

The National Turkey Federation (NTF) is the national advocate for all segments of the turkey industry, providing services and conducting activities that increase demand for its members' products by protecting and enhancing their ability to profitably provide wholesome, high-quality, nutritious products. Its award-winning web site, www.eatturkey.com, offers consumers, food professionals and the media an extensive library of information including healthy eating and restaurant trends, turkey cuts and purchasing tips, turkey nutrition and cooking techniques, and turkey facts and trivia. Additionally, the site presents a searchable database of more than 1,500 recipes, offers a recipe E-mail program and provides special seasonal and holiday ideas. The National Turkey Federation is headquartered in Washington, D.C.