Hillshire Farm Brings Real Ingredients and Gourmet Flavors Home with New Line of Premium Pre-Cooked Smoked Sausage

Published on Thursday, 09 February 2012 09:10 Written by TradersHuddle Staff

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill.-( Business Wire )-

More than half of Americans say they have gone a year without dining out, perhaps in part due to the economy, according to a U.S. Census Bureau 2012 Statistical Abstract.¹ For these consumers who look to create flavorful, restaurant inspired dishes in their own kitchens, Hillshire Farm introduces Gourmet Creations, a new line of premium smoked sausage that offers wide meal versatility. Whether planning a dinner party or whipping up a simple, yet savory supper for the family, Hillshire Farm Gourmet Creations can be tossed in a skillet with olive oil and your favorite vegetables, added to a hearty jambalaya or mixed in with a favorite pasta or rice recipe to create satisfying meals.

Slow cooked with real, high quality ingredients, the new Hillshire Farm Gourmet Creations line offers four chef inspired flavors with no artificial colors, flavors or by-products:

• Hillshire Farm Gourmet Creations Chicken Apple smoked sausage with Gouda Cheese: A savory chicken sausage made with gouda cheese and sweet apples adds the perfect combination of sweet and savory to any meal.

• Hillshire Farm Gourmet Creations Beef & Bacon smoked sausage with Monterey Jack Cheese: A premium beef sausage accented with smoky bacon and just the right amount of Monterey jack cheese. Perfect for those who love traditional meat and cheese flavor profiles.

• Hillshire Farm Gourmet Creations Beef & Jalapeno with Monterey Jack Cheese: A premium beef sausage with just the right kick of jalapeno and Monterey jack cheese. Ideal for spicing up any traditional smoked sausage meal.

• Hillshire Farm Gourmet Creations Sweet Italian Style with Peppers and Mozzarella Cheese: A premium pork sausage featuring traditional Italian seasonings coupled with the perfect sweet zest of tasty peppers and delicious mozzarella cheese. A must-have addition for traditional pasta dishes.

“We listened to our consumers, and they told us that they are looking for new options to create great tasting meals at home that are both delicious and affordable,” said Daryl Gormley, Brand General Manager, Hillshire Farm. “As more consumers are opting to dine in, Hillshire Farm wanted to introduce a product that simplifies the process of creating meals with a sophisticated flair right at home. Hillshire Farm Gourmet Creations meet consumers’ increased desires for unique flavor profiles that can be used in various recipes to create restaurant gourmet dinners without the hefty price tag.”

The newest television spot for Hillshire Farm, launching on Feb. 13, fully showcases the product’s range of flavors that includes a balance of tasty spices and ingredients. Illustrating the easy ways in which consumers can incorporate Hillshire Farm Gourmet Creations into restaurant style recipes at home, the ad combines colorful animation and images to showcase the product. Created by TBWAChiatDay Los Angeles, the initial launch of the new Hillshire Farm creative will debut with :15 and :30 television spots airing nationally.

In supermarkets nationwide, Hillshire Farm Gourmet Creations are available in the refrigerated meat section for a suggested retail price of $4.99. Visit www.hillshirefarm.com for more information on Hillshire Farm Gourmet Creations, including recipes and product details.

About Hillshire Farm

Hillshire Farm has been providing quality meat products since 1934. Hillshire Farm uses only quality cuts of meat, delivering products that are versatile, easy to use, and available in a variety of sizes and flavors. The Hillshire Farm sausage portfolio includes Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage, Hillshire Farm Link Sausage and Hillshire Farm Lit’l Smokies cocktail links. Visit www.hillshirefarm.com for additional information.

About Sara Lee Corporation

Each and every day, Sara Lee (NYSE: SLE) delights millions of consumers and customers around the world. The company has one of the world’s best-loved and leading portfolios with its innovative and trusted food and beverage brands, including Ball Park, Douwe Egberts, Hillshire Farm, Jimmy Dean, Sara Lee and Senseo. Collectively, our brands generate nearly $9 billion in annual net sales from continuing operations. Sara Lee has approximately 20,000 employees in its continuing operations worldwide. In January, 2011, Sara Lee Corp. announced that it will divide the company into two pure play publicly-traded companies. One company will be focused around the current International Coffee and Tea business, while the other company will be focused on the North American Retail Meats and North American Foodservice businesses. For more information on this news, and on Sara Lee's brands, please visit www.saralee.com.

¹ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/21/dining-out-census_n_1025758.html

MWW GroupKate Simpson, +1-646-215-6893orSara LeeSara Matheu, +1-630-598-8722