CINCINNATI -- Pierre Foods Inc. said it will unveil its better-for-you Smart Picks line for school foodservice at next month's School Nutrition Association Annual National Conference in Dallas.
Smart Picks products are formulated to provide one or more dietary benefits to schoolchildren, including reduced sodium, zero grams of trans fat, no hydrogenated oils, whole grain, high fiber or protein content, and reduced fat content. They are made with USDA-inspected, fully cooked meats and hearth-baked breads, and are quickly frozen to ensure the safety and flavor of each menu item.
The line features more than 60 menu choices, including all-beef hamburger patties, which contain 37% less sodium than Pierre's current patties; grilled chicken patties, made with less than 15% of the recommended daily allowance of sodium; and whole grain macaroni and cheese.
Pierre said it spent more than a year developing the Smart Picks' recipes to ensure they satisfy the finicky palates of young consumers. According to the company, more than 2,000 students recently taste-tested Smart Picks products and said they liked them as well as or better than similar Pierre school menu items.
