THAT great tradition stretching back decades, the RSL meat tray, is due for an update.
At least, that's according to Australian Mushrooms.
The grower body has created the first ever Mushie Meat Tray, a flexitarian fusion of all things meat and mushrooms.
Adorned with butcher-quality cuts of portobellos, buttons, flats and cups alongside the traditional trappings of sausages and rissoles, the new Mushie Meat Tray has been designed to provide tasty new versions of the iconic raffle prize.
Returned and Services Leagues (RSL) nationwide are able to create their own tray via a free toolkit.
The campaign is based on Pureprofile research on behalf of Australian Mushrooms from a sample of 1002 Australians which found 22 per cent of respondents visited an RSL a staggering 20 times per year.
The survey also found almost half of Aussies (43pc) would like to see more variety in their RSL meat trays, with a third (33pc) saying they would love a "flexitarian" (meat and mushroom) version of the classic raffle prize.
The Mushie Meat Tray was launched by former rugby league player and avid RSL-goer, Beau Ryan at the Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL Club, in Sydney last month.
"The RSL meat tray is such a classic part of Aussie culture and it's such fun to be part of its makeover," Mr Ryan said.
"I love a meat tray as much as the next person so I'm excited to be a part of the launch of the Mushie Meat Tray and give RSL-goers a bit more variety."
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It's not Mr Ryan's first foray into advocating for a horticulture product.
In 2021 he was the face of Aussie Apples' Snack Swap Challenge which saw him trade in his usual afternoon snacks for an apple, and then document his experiences.
The Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL has also debuted mushroom-inspired versions of classic Aussie dishes, including mushroom parmi, mushroom risotto and mushroom burger.
Australian Mushrooms Grower at White Prince, Chris Tolson, said he Mushie Meat Tray was a win-win for all RSL-goers.
"Not only do they get a fantastic prize - they also get a prize that's packed full of flavour and the healthy benefits of Australian mushrooms," he said.
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