Small Bites And Variety Make Turkey Perfect For Kid's Menus

Foodservice operators are feeling the pressure to serve healthier items on kid's menus. The National Turkey Federation (NTF) suggests replacing traditional standard fare with creative culinary dishes that put turkey, a nutritious option, at the center of children's plates. New bite size classics like Turkey Fingers and Mini Turkey Burgers make eating fun for kids while appealing to concerned parents.

"Kids enjoy foods that they can eat with their hands and parents appreciate healthy options. High-fat staples are giving way to foods that are low in fat and calories," says Sherrie Rosenblatt, NTF's senior director of marketing and communications. "Many children's menus can be adjusted to include turkey. Parents are pleased to know that turkey has 8 percent more protein than chicken or beef and zero grams of saturated fat, and a lot more nutritional value*."

Turkey's health benefits make it a key protein for proper nutrition. It contains many vitamins including niacin and vitamin B6, which are critical for a healthy immune system and energy production.

According to the National Restaurant Association, 41 percent of family and casual dining restaurants are offering a greater variety of healthy options on their kid's menus compared to two years ago. Foodservice establishments like the Machine Shed in Davenport, Iowa, are leading the change.

"Turkey is a comfort food that children eat at home. It's versatile and cost efficient," said Jeff Grunder, chief operating executive at The Machine Shed. "Our kid's menus give parents a choice of healthy items and an alternative to the standard chicken nuggets and pizza. For example, we offer kids-size portions of our regular turkey entries, like Roast Turkey Sandwich." Another restaurant that features a variety of small turkey bites on its kid's menu is Walt Disney World's Wilderness Lodge's Turkey Pinwheels on Flour Tortillas.

Many kid-friendly recipes can be found on NTF's EatTurkey.com and are easy to menu, plus feature nutrition information. Parents and children will enjoy Turkey Fingers with Dijon Sauce for their dunk-ability, Turkey Pepperoni and Cheese Pizza, an Italian favorite, and Turkey Quesadilla for its finger-licking taste. To find some delicious recipes, visit EatTurkey.com, click "Recipe Database," then "Foodservice" section, next in "Menu Type" click on "Child's Menu," then "Search."

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 700 foodservice recipes, offers a recipe E-mail program and provides special seasonal and holiday ideas. The National Turkey Federation is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

*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 three-ounce skinless, cooked chicken breast or 3-ounce, cooked top loin steak, trimmed of visible fat.

###