Maple Leaf Farms Introduces Gold Label Duck

Maple Leaf Farms Introduces
Gold Label Duck
A Premier Quality Product Offering Remarkable Value & Exceptional Flavor


September 2004 - Maple Leaf Farms, which has already earned a reputation for superior quality and taste among leading chefs, has now taken their commitment to excellence (and to chefs) one step further. The nation's leading purveyor of duck is now launching Gold Label Duck, a premier whole duck product which has been specially raised to ensure the absolute greatest possible quality, flavor and value for chefs and their discerning customers. The rich flavor and tender texture allows chefs to offer their sophisticated clientele exceptionally flavorful dishes that meet demanding tastes. Gold Label Duck is raised without antibiotics and is produced according to standards that dramatically exceed poultry industry norms, and - due to adherence to stringent guidelines overseen by a team of industry experts - is allowed to bear the "Third Party Certified-Animal Well-Being Assured" seal.

"Remarkable Value + Exceptional Flavor = Profitability for Chefs"
Maple Leaf Farms whole Gold Label Duck is not only a smart choice for leading chefs, but a profitable one as well. The duck breast offers more breast meat and even less fat overall, which translates to more generous portions and more appealing plated presentation. Maple Leaf Farms' methods of raising Gold Label Duck ensures a 20% breast meat yield. On average, a five-pound Maple Leaf Farms Gold Label Duck has as much breast meat as a six and a half to seven pound duck of other brands. Maple Leaf Farms duck's versatility lends itself ideally to a wide range of the current flavor trends - from world cuisine to classic American fare. By being low in fat and carbs, and high in protein - duck is perfectly suited to today's healthy lifestyle and eating habits.

Duck Trend On The Rise
Chef's have been championing duck for quite a while, and have succeeded in generating the current "duck trend" that has led to a dramatic increase in duck consumption - which has gone up 31.2% (between 1995 - 2003)*. Duck has been appearing on more and more menus, and customer pull has led chefs to add creative duck dishes for every season. Once again, Maple Leaf Farms has taken the lead - working closely with chefs to understand their needs, identify customers' tastes, and help them build their bottom line.

A Concerned Corporate Citizen

Maple Leaf Farms is a family-run company with a passionate commitment to producing high quality, healthy, great tasting duck products. Animal well-being - how the ducks are raised, treated, and fed - has become an extremely important topic as Americans become more aware and concerned about how the foods they eat are produced. Maple Leaf Farms has once again put their commitment to innovation, quality and social responsibility into action with the introduction of their Third Party Certification Program ensuring healthy, well-treated ducks.

By managing every step of producing, growing and processing its White Pekin ducks, Maple Leaf Farms maintains the consistent, high quality that its customers have come to expect. Many of the ducks are raised on local family-owned farms that share Maple Leaf Farms dedication to using traditional farming methods. The company's highly trained and certified animal husbandry staff works closely with its producers to ensure that its ducks receive the finest care available. Maple Leaf Farms' ducks are free of hormones or growth promotants and are fed an antibiotic-free all-grain diet painstakingly developed by Maple Leaf Farms. The results of their hands-on process are wholesome, safe, all-natural duck products that are consistently moist, tender and flavorful.
*Duckling Council

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