Cluck and bare it

Cluck and bare it St. Cloud's Gold'n Plump Poultry is joining the trend of all-natural foods that can be traced to their source with its new Just BARE chicken, which aims to address shoppers' concerns about buying, handling and eating chicken. Just BARE chickens have no added hormones and no antibiotics, are vegetable-fed and raised cage-free by farmers in the Upper Midwest. Who exactly? Just enter the three-digit Family Farm Code next to the freshness date online at www.justbarechicken.com, and learn the specific farm where the chicken in that package was raised. Additionally, the chicken comes in a fully transparent package -- no foam trays. The film lid easily peels away, lessening the need to touch the raw chicken with fingers or a utensil while opening it. Just BARE chicken is at most SuperTarget stores, along with Hy-Vee and other regional grocery chains.

Zip-a-dee contest Zip-It Steak Sauce is a "have it your way" concoction. The cream-based blend of seasonings is meant to be mixed with melted butter; you vary its strength by how much butter you add to any of the five flavors. Experiment, then enter the Zip-It Challenge, a yearlong bimonthly contest in which you can submit your favorite recipe. First prize is $100; second, $50, both with a selection of steak sauces. The first deadline is Feb. 28. For contest details, go to www.zipitsteaksauce.com.

See red, win green The peak of grapefruit season is an inspiring time, so explore your creativity in the first Rio Star Grapefruit Challenge. The Rio Star is a very red and sweet specialty fruit grown in the Rio Grande Valley, thus the contest is cosponsored by Taste of the South magazine. It's open to both home cooks and professionals with a total of $5,000 in prize money. Contest deadline is Feb. 15. For rules and entry forms, go to www.riostarchallenge.com or write to Texas Rio Star Grapefruit Challenge, 901 Business Park Drive, Suite 100, Mission, TX 78572. Please enclose a self-addressed-stamped envelope.

Mother's little helper It's not enough that your feet swell and your back hurts. Pregnant women also must eliminate alcohol -- and just when martinis are all the rage. Enter "Preggatinis: Mixology for the Mom-to-be" by Natalie Bovis-Nelson (Globe Pequot, $16.95). The 75 recipes for alcohol-free cocktails come with photos and tips, although you may have to explore for some of the more unusual sodas and syrups called for. This may appeal to nonbreeders as well.

KIM ODE