Maple Leaf Prime, Canada's leader in fresh and prepared meats and consumer foods, is introducing a new line-up of ready-to-cook poultry products in response to Canadian consumers who want great-tasting fresh food solutions they can cook at home. The products, launched after extensive consumer research and product development as part of the company's commitment to meet the nutritional, culinary and lifestyle needs of Canadian families, provide a variety of meal-time options for families on-the-go.

"Maple Leaf Prime ready-to-cook poultry products are a great fit for today's busy households," says Babita Bhattal, Marketing Manager for Maple Leaf Prime. "These premium products, made with a variety of international flavours and seasonings without using artificial ingredients, are designed to taste great and deliver an authentic fresh taste experience."

According to consumer research, families are busier today than ever before and they do not want to sacrifice quality, nutrition and taste for the sake of speedy meals. More than 95 per cent of consumers prepare meals at home yet time remains the number one obstacle to getting dinner on the table.

"Driven by economic circumstances, we are seeing families return to home meal preparation and time-saving shortcuts are very much welcome in the kitchen particularly when complemented with a diverse range of international spices and seasonings," says Ms Bhattal. Another challenge consumers face is serving a meal that delivers on great taste. "The importance of taste has been shown to be the number one factor that determines food purchases in supermarkets," she adds.

"Today's parents certainly love short cuts yet they still want the satisfaction of being in the kitchen preparing a wholesome meal for their families," says Emily Richards, professional home economist and cookbook author. "All of the hard work of cutting, marinating and preparation has already been done when you use Maple Leaf Prime ready-to-cook products and home cooks get the satisfaction of easily cooking a freshly prepared meal their families will enjoy."

With the arrival of warmer weather and the barbecue season, Maple Leaf Prime has introduced four exciting lines of ready-to-cook poultry products with a total of eight new fresh food solutions that are available in the meat counters of major grocery stores across Canada. Whether using your oven, stove-top skillet or barbecue, add a little creativity to these innovative choices for a myriad of food experiences and great taste to enjoy all year round:

• Maple Leaf Prime Marinated Chicken Breasts: Dijon Mustard & Herb and Santa Fe
  Get the benefit of the boneless, skinless breast - the number one cut of chicken - plus a great-tasting marinade without any artificial flavours. Each flavour inspires exciting meal ideas. Dijon Mustard & Herb Marinated Chicken Breasts are a great choice for tossing with pasta or in salads; Santa Fe Marinated Chicken Breasts are perfect in an easy-to-assemble fajita, quesadilla or wrap.
• Maple Leaf Prime Sauté & Savour: Butter Chicken, Sweet Teriyaki and Parmesan Marinara
  With Prime Sauté & Savour you can make all of those difficult sauce-based recipes in little time. Each package includes sliced pieces of Maple Leaf Prime boneless, skinless breast marinated in spices and paired with a complementary flavouring sauce that gives a complex taste experience. Sauté the chicken for 15 minutes and then add the accompanying sauce for a delicious, easy-to-prepare meal.
• Maple Leaf Prime Seasoned Flattened Chicken with Wild Garlic & Herbs
  The newest and fastest way to prepare a succulent roast chicken from scratch! The back bone is removed from the whole chicken reducing cooking time and it’s a breeze to carve. Ideal for oven-roasting or terrific on the barbecue.
• Maple Leaf Prime Poultry Sausages: Mediterranean Turkey and Roasted Red Pepper Chicken
  Maple Leaf Prime Poultry Sausages are made with only the finest cuts of chicken or turkey, specifically skinless, thigh meat. You get all of the juicy taste of a pork sausage but without all of the fat and additives. Without having to worry about fat content, home cooks can now add variety by including sausages, always a family favourite, to their weekly menus.