A long-established Australian poultry company is doing its bit to ensure chicken maintains its status as the country's most affordable protein.
Lenard's, famous for its family-favourite handmade chicken products, stated that its innovative 'hero on the plate' concept has helped to combat the ever-increasing cost of living by eliminating wastage.
"Studies show that one in five grocery bags goes to Australian food waste each year," said Lenard's Founder, Owner and CEO, Lenard Poulter.
"We help eliminate this one bag of groceries by customers taking home our ready-made products and adding their personal preferences."
Poulter explained that customers should feel like they are still cooking a home-based meal. Lenard's goal is to make this task more accessible and affordable whilst ensuring a healthy and special meal for the whole family.
It's well-known that chicken is Australia's favourite protein, with 10 million chickens consumed nationally each week.
Individually, 38 kilograms of chicken meat is consumed each year compared with 34 kilograms of beef, 23 kilograms of pig (which includes processed products), and 14 kilograms of lamb a head annually.
Research funded by AgriFutures Australia found that demand for chicken meat in Australia will likely grow as more consumers replace other meat products, such as beef and lamb, with relatively more affordable chicken meat.
"Chicken has the lowest environmental footprint of all meats and is the least expensive form of meat protein," said Lead Researcher and Executive Director of the Centre for Global Food and Resources at the University of Adelaide, Professor Wendy Umberger.
Umberger stated that more than 99 percent of chicken meat sold in Australia is born, bred, and raised in Australia. This gives shoppers confidence their choice is good for them, their wallet, and the environment.
The research also found that for chicken meat to remain the most popular meat for the average Australian household, the industry must continue offering chicken meat products that provide versatility and good value for money and deliver consistently good eating quality.
"Our priority is to ensure consumers have access to healthy and convenient chicken products, and we believe this is the key to growing overall consumption," said Mr Poulter.
Lenard's is a food franchisor, and manufacturer started in 1987 in Sunnybank Hills, Brisbane.
Founded by Owner and Director Lenard Poulter, Lenard's handmade chicken products utilise premium, locally sourced, and naturally delicious ingredients.
Lenard's is proudly Australian-owned, made with 100 percent Australian healthy barn-raised chickens, with no added hormones or steroids.
A leader in the fresh food marketplace, Lenard's can be found at 23 locally-owned franchise stores and over 400 independent supermarkets around Australia.
Lenard's has just commenced a franchise recruitment campaign with industry leaders Eden Exchange, intending to open more stores throughout Australia over the coming years.
