EatTurkey.com Welcomes Blimpie Crunch-A-Bowl Salads

National Turkey Federation Virtual Menu 2003 Showcases Zesto Pesto™ Turkey Crunch-A-Bowl Recipe

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 1, 2003 -

CONTACT: Sherrie Rosenblatt, NTF, 202/898-0100,
or, Leslee McGovern, Devine & Pearson,
617/472-2700 E-mail: srosenblatt@turkeyfed.org

  Blimpie Subs & Salads® joins the National Turkey Federation’s (NTF) “Virtual Menu 2003” program on www.eatturkey.com with its Zesto Pesto™ Turkey Crunch-A-Bowl Salad recipe beginning in August. The Zesto Pesto Turkey Salad combines sliced turkey, pesto, Provolone cheese, banana peppers, black olives, almond slivers, tomato wedges with spring salad mix in a baked shell bowl to deliver a wholesome, gourmet entrée salad perfect for midday meals. Blimpie’s Crunch-A-Bowl Salad concept is representative of the growth in main dish salads offered in fast casual, casual and quick service restaurants nationwide.

“As operators respond to the growing menu category of entrée salads the time is right for turkey,” comments Sherrie Rosenblatt, NTF’s director of public relations. “Blimpie has taken advantage of turkey as a delicious, healthful, adaptable protein to offer a hearty luncheon salad with an Italian flair, with a modest 370 calories and 20 grams of high quality protein. Other chefs and culinary professionals may find inspiration for their own menus from Blimpie’s creativity with turkey.”

"Turkey has always been an essential part of our menu because of its versatility, flavor and continued popularity with consumers,” adds Jennifer Townsend, menu development director, Blimpie Subs and Salads. “As we develop new subs, salads and wraps, turkey will always be a featured part of our menu."

NTF’s “Virtual Menu 2003” unveils current turkey trends on www.eatturkey.com, with recipes submitted by a wide variety of foodservice operations – from independents to national chains. Each month, a different establishment offers a popular turkey item from their menu, along with a plate shot and a quote from a restaurant representative on the benefits of turkey and why they choose to serve it.

Once Blimpie’s Zesto Pesto Crunch-A-Bowl Turkey Salad has been featured, it will be added to the “Virtual Menu Turkey Trends” page joining Arby’s, The Fireplace of Boston, Subway and others. There it will continue to be linked to NTF’s recipe database of more than 600 innovative turkey applications, including 81 entrée and side salads.

Virtual Menu 2003 participants

Arby’s
Market Fresh™ Roast Turkey and Swiss with alternate sauce

The Fireplace of Boston
Turkey and Vegetable Pot Pie

Wildflower Bread Company
Turkey Breast and Brie Sandwich

The Oak Leaf at the Washington Dulles Airport Marriott
Cast Iron Seared Turkey Cutlets

Einstein Bros®
Turkey Pastrami Reuben

Subway’s®
Southwest Turkey and Bacon Sandwich

Blimpie Subs and Salads®
Zesto Pesto™ Turkey Crunch-a-Bowl Salad

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.