WILKESBORO and SALISBURY, N.C., -- After being absent from retail grocery stores in the southeast for more than 10 years, one of the most well-respected national brands of fresh chicken is making a comeback.
Tyson Foods Inc. and Food Lion LLC have announced an arrangement to reintroduce Holly Farms fresh chicken at more than 1,200 Food Lion, Bloom and Bottom Dollar Food grocery stores throughout the eastern U.S.
The Holly Farms poultry company was founded in Wilkesboro, N.C., in 1958 and through the years built a reputation for high-quality, fresh, tray-packed chicken. The company and its operations were bought by Tyson Foods in 1989. By the late 1990s, Holly Farms was phased out as a national brand.
The reintroduced line of chicken will primarily be produced at the same Wilkesboro poultry complex where Holly Farms began. In addition, plant locations in Monroe, N.C.; Temperanceville, Va., and Shelbyville, Tenn., will also be involved in the production of this product.
"Food Lion has a unique opportunity to reintroduce one of the most well-respected brands of fresh chicken at our stores," said Hans Lefebvre, vice president of meat and seafood merchandising at Food Lion LLC. "In an economy where consumers are always searching for premium products at great prices, we are able to provide both to our customers through this arrangement."
As part of the arrangement, Food Lion LLC will replace all store brand fresh chicken with Holly Farms premium brand chicken at Food Lion, Bloom and Bottom Dollar Food stores.
"We're excited about working with Food Lion LLC to offer Holly Farms-branded chicken to consumers again," said Tim Price, vice president of business development for Tyson Foods' retail fresh poultry business. "We plan to produce a wide variety of tray-packed chicken products with the same freshness, safety and quality people have historically expected from products bearing the Holly Farms name."
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