Legghorn will supply the foodservice sector with chicken mince from 420-day-old breeder hen meat, often considered a ‘by-product’ of the chicken industry, which has just 1.31kg of carbon per kilo of mince.
The hens are antibiotic-free and are only vaccinated for Salmonella and Newcastle disease. They come from Red Tractor-certified farms, a recognised welfare standard. The meat can also be used for recipes such as Bolognese, kofte, meatballs, burgers, chicken Kiev and chicken royale.
The chicken mince has been successfully trailled at a number of WSH brands including BaxterStorey, Searcys and BM Caterers. A soft launch of the product in June has seen it added to menus at eight WSH locations, with a ramp-up over the summer in collaboration with Bidfood.
The introduction comes via Bidfood’s Open Doors programme, which has engaged more than 450 suppliers since launching, with a key focus on suppliers delivering the most progressive and innovative offerings.
Richard Murray, founder of Legghorn, said: “I'm incredibly grateful to be partnering with WSH and Bidfood to bring Legghorn to the foodservice sector. Their belief in our goal – to make better use of what we already have, and to reduce carbon without compromising on quality – has been instrumental in getting this off the ground. It’s exciting to see chefs embracing Legghorn not just for its sustainability, but also for its flavour and versatility.”