Is Al Fresco Chicken Bacon Discontinued?

Al Fresco’s chicken bacon has developed a dedicated following among health-conscious bacon aficionados. With its wood smoked flavor and 60% less fat than pork bacon, it satisfies cravings when desiring a lower calorie breakfast meat. However, some fans have recently found it missing from store shelves and online retailers. So is Al Fresco chicken bacon discontinued for good?

In this article, we’ll examine the current status of Al Fresco chicken bacon. We’ll cover whether it’s discontinued, reasons it could be hard to find, and where you may still be able to buy it. We’ll also recommend some potential alternatives if supplies of the original do dry up.

What is Al Fresco Chicken Bacon?

Al Fresco chicken bacon is a smoked, precooked bacon product made from chicken thighs rather than pork. It was launched in 1994 by Kayem Foods as a lower-fat, lower-calorie alternative to traditional pork bacon.

Al Fresco chicken bacon contains 60% less fat and 35% fewer calories than pork bacon. It is minimally processed with no artificial ingredients and is gluten-free. It is wood smoked to give it a similar smoky salty flavor as regular bacon.

The fully-cooked chicken bacon takes about 30-40 seconds to heat up in the microwave or a minute or two in a pan. Its convenience and nutrition profile earned it a following among people looking for a leaner bacon for breakfasts, sandwiches, salads and more

Is Al Fresco Chicken Bacon Discontinued?

After checking with the manufacturer Kayem Foods and monitoring grocery and online inventories here is the current status on Al Fresco chicken bacon

• It does not appear to be permanently discontinued at this time.

• The Al Fresco brand indicates on their website that chicken bacon remains an active product offering.

• It can occasionally still be found in stock at some online stores and select grocery locations.

However, there are widespread supply shortages making chicken bacon very difficult to find. Production and inventory issues seem to be constraining availability for now. But there are no signs Al Fresco has ceased producing this popular product for good.

Why Has Al Fresco Chicken Bacon Been Hard to Find?

Several key factors have contributed to the shortages of Al Fresco chicken bacon over the past 12+ months:

• Supply chain disruptions – Like many food manufacturers, Al Fresco’s production and distribution channels faced pandemic-related impacts constraining inventory.

• Labor shortages – Staffing challenges at manufacturing and transportation levels have created production bottlenecks, limiting supply.

• Surging demand – More consumers have been buying chicken bacon as a lower calorie, leaner alternative to pork. But production volumes haven’t matched demand growth.

• Allocation limits – To distribute limited supply fairly, Al Fresco has had to limit product allocation to stores, preventing stores from ordering as much as normal.

Where Can You Still Buy Al Fresco Chicken Bacon?

While finding Al Fresco chicken bacon in stores has become very difficult, it’s still possible to locate it occasionally:

• Direct from the manufacturer – Al Fresco sells cases online via their website. However, supplies here have been extremely limited too.

• Select grocery stores – Some grocery shoppers report finding chicken bacon at regional chains like Harris Teeter, Gelson’s and Wegmans, though it sells out fast.

• Online retailers – Occasional inventory pops up on sites like Amazon and Instacart but disappears quickly. Use in-stock alerts.

• Restaurant suppliers – Foodservice supply retailers get allocation priority. Call local suppliers to ask about availability.

The bottom line is persistence and monitoring inventories diligently to snap up chicken bacon when you can find it. Check store delivery schedules and online stock often.

Possible Alternatives If Supplies Remain Short

If shortages of original Al Fresco chicken bacon continue long-term, fans may need to try some alternative brands. Here are a few potential substitute options:

• Applegate Naturals Chicken Bacon – Also wood smoked and made from chicken thighs. Only 60 calories per serving.

• Hormel Fire Braised Chicken Bacon – Hickory smoked chicken bacon that’s lower in fat than pork bacon.

• Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon – A longstanding leaner bacon option, made from turkey thigh meat.

• MorningStar Farms Veggie Bacon – Fat-free and low calorie bacon made from textured vegetable protein.

• DIY Bacon – Make your own bacon at home from turkey or chicken breast using a simple baking method.

While not exact substitutes for the original, these alternatives can satisfy cravings if Al Fresco chicken bacon stays hard to find. Hopefully supply improves, but other options are available if needed.

The Bottom Line

• Al Fresco chicken bacon does not appear permanently discontinued currently.

• However, it has been very difficult to find in stores due to supply chain issues and high demand.

• Periodic restocks do happen at some online and grocery stores. Check often and act fast!

• If long-term shortages continue, exploring alternative chicken and turkey bacons may be necessary.

• Hopefully production challenges will be resolved soon and inventory levels will recover. For now, devotees should keep hunting for those elusive pouches of Al Fresco chicken bacon when possible!