Costco Bows Co-branded Martha Stewart Prepared Foods

ISSAQUAH, Wash. - Beginning today, Costco Wholesale Corp. based here will begin selling holiday ham nationwide co-branded with the Martha Stewart and signature Kirkland labels, as the first in a series of exclusive prepared food products the members-only club store operator will launch in 2008.

The antibiotic-free, bone-in "artisanal" hams have reheating, glazing, and carving instructions, including three exclusive recipe ideas from the kitchens of Martha Stewart Living, said Costco.

Inspired by the hams the lifestyle diva says she enjoyed as a child, the Kirkland Signature Martha Stewart Favorite Holiday Hams are slow-cured for three to five days to enhance the natural flavors, and are then lightly smoked over applewood chips for 12-14 hours. The hams weigh approximately 7 to 10 pounds and serve 10 people.

Developed from Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia's extensive library of recipes and made with high-quality, fresh ingredients, Martha Stewart's new ready-to-heat and -serve food line, which will expand to soups, desserts, entrees and more, are all based on recipes that have appeared in Stewart's books, magazines, and TV programs. The products will also feature distinctive serving suggestions, stories behind the creation of the recipes, and helpful how-to tips.

Costco operates 528 warehouses, including 388 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 75 in Canada, 19 in the United Kingdom, five in Korea, five in Taiwan, six in Japan, and 30 in Mexico. The company also operates Costco Online at http://www.costco.com and at http://www.costco.ca in Canada.

Costco said it will open one additional new warehouse prior to the end of calendar year 2007.
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