Even though there is rising popularity in plant-based foods, parents are still trying to get their kids to eat their vegetables. To help flexitarian families who are hungry for new ways to fill the vegetable void without sacrificing flavor or nutrition, Perdue is introducing first-of-a-kind, nationally distributed new PERDUE CHICKEN PLUS Nuggets, Tenders and Patties blended with vegetables.

PERDUE CHICKEN PLUS, Perdue’s latest innovation, blends cauliflower, chickpeas and plant protein to create the next generation of frozen chicken nuggets, tenders and patties; each serving is complete with one-quarter cup (half a serving) of vegetables and is made with 100% all-natural ingredients and no antibiotics ever white meat chicken.

“Perdue Chicken Nuggets have been a staple for families for years, but we wanted to provide an easy way to round out the meal and help parents put an end to the ‘eat your vegetables’ battle,” said Eric Christianson, chief marketing officer for Perdue. “By blending plants and vegetables with the Perdue chicken families love, not only are we helping to meet demands for millions of parents, but we are appealing to the growing number of flexitarian families who have an increased commitment to getting more plants and vegetables in their families’ diets.”

In fact, Perdue noted that 74% of people are looking to increase their vegetable intake in addition to seeking out plant-based proteins in nearly every aisle of the grocery store and looking for substitutes for their regular go-to meals and snacks.

“Boosting meat with high-quality plant protein is a great way to give the consumer more choices while enhancing both sustainability and nutrition,” said Paul Shapiro, chief executive officer of The Better Meat Co., with which Perdue partnered to source some of the plant-based ingredients.

Christianson pointed out, however, that many of the new plant-based products are geared toward vegetarian adults with strict meat replacement requirements and not for kids who turn up their noses at some foods. PERDUE CHICKEN PLUS is available in dinosaur-shaped nuggets as well as crispy rice tenders and panko patties. Products will be available in foodservice and found in the freezer aisles nationwide in September 2019.