CHB Tidbits

Certified Hereford Beef^® featured at grocery store openings

Certified Hereford Beef^® was in the spotlight during several The Fresh Market store openings last fall.

Each of these stores features Certified Hereford Beef^®, and samples of the product were distributed by Certified Hereford Beef (CHB) LLC staff and ambassadors during the grand opening celebrations.

On Nov. 18, CHB ambassador Anna Rhodus and CHB LLC Vice President of Retail Brad Ellafson served grilled Certified Hereford Beef^® ribeye samples during The Fresh Market grand opening celebration in Stuart, Fla.

“We served more than 675 samples and received great reviews from The Fresh Market customers,” Ellafson says.

On Dec. 2, two additional The Fresh Market grand opening celebrations showcased the product. Rhodus and her husband, Matt, served grilled Certified Hereford Beef^® ribeye samples during the South Beach, Fla., grand opening. And CHB ambassador Mary Ann Berg and Ellafson promoted the product at the Crystal Lake, Ill., grand opening event.

“It was a busy day with much great conversation about Certified Hereford Beef^®,” Ellafson says. “During the opening week, whole Certified Hereford Beef^® tenderloin was $9.99 per lb.. What a great deal! And many folks took advantage of it.”

The opening of these stores brings the total of The Fresh Market stores featuring Certified Hereford Beef^® to 96 throughout the southeast and Midwest.

If you are interested in serving as a Certified Hereford Beef^® ambassador – promoting the product and brand during events from coast to coast – please contact Mary Ann Berg at 330-466-2640.

Evans Meats reaches Certified Hereford Beef^® million-pound achievement

Evans Meats Inc., Birmingham, Ala., recently earned the Certified Hereford Beef^® million-pound achievement by the Certified Hereford Beef^® Food Service Division.

Addam Evans owns Evans Meats with his dad, Butch. A Certified Hereford Beef^® distributor since 2008, he says Evans Meats originally chose Certified Hereford Beef^® for its consistent quality.

“It’s a really good product every time,” he says. “Our customers appreciate that quality, because they understand when they put a steak on the plate, it’s going to be the same as it was two or three weeks ago. They don’t have to worry about their customers sending back a steak.”

In addition, Evans says, the unique flavor of Certified Hereford Beef^® sets the product apart.

“It has a really pronounced flavor, unique to the Hereford breed,” he says. “A lot of the beef these days has a watered-down flavor. Certified Hereford Beef^® features a more-pronounced beef flavor.”

Evans Meats, founded in 1998, specializes in fine meat and seafood products, and serves customers from Nashville, Tenn., to Montgomery, Ala., to Jackson, Miss. Their primary customers consist of privately owned white-tablecloth restaurants, in addition to country clubs and private clubs.

Certified Hereford Beef^® draws crowd at Merchants Foodservice Show

Certified Hereford Beef^® was well represented at the Merchants Foodservice Show on Sept. 12 in Clanton, Ala.

During this show, customers and potential Certified Hereford Beef^® clients were treated to Certified Hereford Beef^® prime rib. Mick Welch, Certified Hereford Beef LLC vice president of food service, says the tasting was a hit.

“As always, it was the best at the show,” he says. “Our goal during this show was to reach out to customers who wish to set their business apart from the commodity market with a product they are proud to serve.”

Merchant Foodservice, headquartered in Hattiesburg, Miss., serves more than 6,000 restaurants, hospitals, schools and institutions. Merchants Foodservice operates distribution and warehousing centers in Jackson, Miss.; Clanton, Ala.; Newberry, S.C., and Tifton, Ga. The company employs more than 500 people and operates a fleet of 200 vehicles, including 140 multi-temp delivery trailers.

Sysco reaches Certified Hereford Beef^® million-pound achievement

In August, Sysco was presented with the Certified Hereford Beef^® million-pound achievement by the Certified Hereford Beef^® Food Service Division.

Danny Wright, Sysco Nashville director of merchandising, says Sysco has been pleased with Certified Hereford Beef^®’s flavor and quality.

“Mick Welch, Certified Hereford Beef LLC vice president of food service, presented the product to me, and it sold itself,” Wright says. “The Hereford breed genetics are perfect for restaurant quality. It produces a great flavor, and a texture different from any other.”

In addition, Wright says, Sysco customers have been impressed with the product’s consistency and quality.

“Certified Hereford Beef^® sells itself with its consistent flavor and texture,” he says.

Sysco has sales and service relationships with approximately 400,000 customers in the foodservice industry and operates from more than 180 locations throughout the U.S., Canada and Ireland. Sysco offers Certified Hereford Beef^® through its Baraboo, Wis.; Minneapolis, Minn.; Nashville, Tenn.; Sacramento, Calif.; Boston, Mass.; and Ocoee, Fla., centers.

During the American Hereford Association’s fiscal year 2011 – running Sept. 1-Aug. 31 – the Minneapolis center marketed 1.2 million pounds in its first year selling the brand, and the Baraboo and Nashville divisions marketed a combined 1.35 million pounds.

(left to right): Debra Lehnert, Sysco marketing associate; Dale Micheli, Certified Hereford Beef LLC chairman; Rita Fann, Sysco marketing associate; Mick Welch, Certified Hereford Beef LLC vice president of food service; Kevin Foster, Sysco business review specialist; Danny Wright, Sysco director of merchandising; Mike Hunt, Sysco regional sales manager; Dale Venhuizen, American Hereford Association (AHA) director; John Woolfolk, AHA president; and David Breiner, Certified Hereford Beef LLC board member, celebrate Sysco’s million-pound Certified Hereford Beef^® award.

Certified Hereford Beef^® helps honor WWII Veterans

On Sept. 20, 102 World War II veterans from central Minnesota took the trip of a lifetime – to visit their memorials in Washington D.C. and receive the recognition they have long deserved.

This trip was organized in partnership by Honor Flight Network – a nonprofit organization created to honor American veterans – and by Coborn’s Inc., a Certified Hereford Beef^® vendor, who also sponsored the trip.

Certified Hereford Beef^® served as a Gold Sponsor of the event, along with more than 30 other companies and organizations. Nearly 70 companies and organizations donated to the cause in all.

“These brave men and women put their lives on the line to protect and preserve our freedoms,” says Coborn’s President and Chief Executive Officer Chris Coborn. “This Honor Flight was a wonderful opportunity for us to recognize and thank them by giving them the opportunity to visit their World War II memorial before it’s too late.”

Once the veterans arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport, they were greeted with great fanfare – fire trucks giving a water military salute; military personnel saluting; and local civic leaders shaking the veterans’ hands and offering words of thanks and gratitude.

The veterans and their chaperones then visited the World War II Memorial; the Lincoln, Vietnam and Korean War memorials; Arlington National Cemetery for the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; and the Iwo Jima, Air Force and Navy memorials.

When they returned to the St. Cloud, Minn., Regional Airport, the servicemen were once again greeted with cheers and salutes from local residents.

Coborn says this event was a small way for Coborn’s to show their heartfelt appreciation to those men and women veterans who sacrificed so much for their communities and country.

Brad Ellafson, Certified Hereford Beef^® vice president of retail accounts, says giving back to Certified Hereford Beef^® customers and their communities is also a priority for the brand.

“Certified Hereford Beef^® takes pride in helping the communities of our customers,” Ellafson says. “Coborn’s is very involved in many different charities and community service projects. I have seen the Honor Flight program in many parts of the country, and we believed it was the perfect way for Certified Hereford Beef^® to show appreciation for the veterans who have served our county.”

St. Cloud, Minn.-based Coborn's Inc. is committed to the communities it serves, annually donating more than $2 million and thousands of volunteer hours toward making a positive difference in local communities. Coborn’s owns and operates 42 Coborn’s, Cash Wise Foods and Save-A-Lot grocery store locations, along with convenience, liquor and video stores and pharmacies in the upper Midwest. Coborn’s also operates a central bakery, central dry cleaning facility, its own grocery distribution center and CobornsDelivers online grocery ordering and home delivery service.

Certified Hereford Beef^®: A natural choice for Hilton of Branson

The Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel, Branson, Mo., is finding tremendous success with Certified Hereford Beef^®. Not only is Certified Hereford Beef^® a featured menu item in its “Level2 Steakhouse” – the Hereford product is also a center-of-plate choice for its Branson Convention Center.

Nathan Read, director of food and beverage for Hilton of Branson, says when the Level2 Steakhouse rebranded and reopened last spring, its goal was to create a unique dining experience.

“We wanted to create an atmosphere where you could feel special and unique,” he says.

Read says they strive to create this atmosphere by adding special touches – including a knife service, in which diners can select from several knives featuring marble or stainless steel handles; and an extensive wine list.

And, when it came to beef, they strove for only the best, as well.

“We chose Certified Hereford Beef^® two years ago,” Read says. “We did multiple, blind cuttings of a variety of brands. The Hereford beef cut very well. Our owner really likes Kansas City strip steak – and the Certified Hereford Beef^® strip steak won him over. The strip steak had more flavor and was more tender than its competition.”

That quality carries over into other cuts, as well, Read says.

“Each Certified Hereford Beef^® product we serve features great flavor and tenderness,” he says. “Certified Hereford Beef^® has a flavor a bit different from anything else. It’s fantastic.”

And, the restaurant customers agree. On the Level2 Steakhouse menu, Certified Hereford Beef^® filet, strip steak, ribeye and half-pound burgers are featured.

“We’ve had tons of great feedback on the Certified Hereford Beef^® menu items,” Read says. “Customers say it has great flavor and is excellent quality. Plus, we cook in 1600-degree infrared ovens, which make a great steak with a crispy crust on the outside.”

Read says the service he receives from the Certified Hereford Beef LLC staff is second to none. And, he says, he and his customers appreciate the Certified Hereford Beef^® story.

“The fact that the product is being produced by smaller ranches and family farms is appealing,” he says. “They come together to provide this wonderful product, and they put great care into raising the animals.”

Certified Hereford Beef^® convenes

Read says Certified Hereford Beef^® has been a choice item for their Branson Convention Center meals, as well. In this 220,000 square foot convention center, they once selected beef based on price. However, Read says, the affordable quality of Certified Hereford Beef^® has since won over.

“In all my years, I’ve cherry-picked meat to make a profit,” he says. “However, the value of Certified Hereford Beef^® comes into play. The consistency of the tenderloins and ribeyes, as well as the value, has allowed me to use the Hereford product, alone, for beef.”

Often featured on the convention center menu is Certified Hereford Beef® sirloin steak and mushrooms, Kansas City strip, tenderloin, ribeye and mesquite-smoked prime rib.

In addition, Read says, the Hereford story is a selling point for convention center clients.

“We can tell our guests that we use Certified Hereford Beef^®, and it’s a fabulous product,” Read says.

For restaurants considering a switch to Certified Hereford Beef^®, Read says the choice is clear.

“It’s very fairly priced and a great value,” he says. “Also, look at the flavor and tenderness. Then, look at the story of the product – how it’s produced by small, Midwestern farms and ranches. It’s really a no-brainer.”

To learn more, visit the Level2 Steakhouse website.

Houston’s Place Customers Love Certified Hereford Beef^®

Houston’s Place, Priceville, Ala., has found that featuring Certified Hereford Beef^® on its menu is generating great results.

Owners Michelle and Robin Moody opened the doors on this new establishment in late July, featuring Certified Hereford Beef^® ribeye and sirloin steaks; and Certified Hereford Beef^® beef tips the in their specialty – shepherd’s pie.

Michelle says she was sold on Certified Hereford Beef^® from the first sample she tasted.

“You could cut it with a fork. You don’t even need a knife, and the flavor is the best I’ve ever had,” she says. “We knew we were going with Certified Hereford Beef^® from the get-go. We made a lot of changes to our menu before the doors opened, but we never changed this.”

And their customers seem to agree: the quality and taste are unmatched.

“Customers are telling us how good it is, and that they’ll be back,” she says. “One customer ordered and ate a 14-ounce ribeye, then turned around and ordered and ate another – all in one sitting. He said it was the best steak he’d eaten in his entire life.”

Michelle says she appreciates knowing that Certified Hereford Beef^® is exactly what it says it is: Hereford beef. And when customers ask about Certified Hereford Beef^® – noticing the restaurant’s signage and menu promoting the product – they’re impressed.

“A lot of people advertise things, not knowing exactly what they’re selling,” she says. “We know we’re serving 100% Certified Hereford Beef^®. People love the thickness of the steaks, and overall, they’re impressed. Once someone tries Hereford beef, they know it.”

Certified Hereford Beef Promoted at Food Show

Certified Hereford Beef LLC staff promoted Certified Hereford Beef® and visited with potential customers at the Affiliated Food Service Show on Aug. 31 in Amarillo, Texas.

Affiliated Foods Inc. has served grocery stores and restaurants in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona and Wyoming for more than 60 years. It is also a distributor of Choice Certified Hereford Beef®.

Sysco Provides CHB for “The Harvest”

Sysco Foods, one of the world’s largest foodservice distributors and Certified Hereford Beef^® purveyor, was well represented at the Hereford Youth Foundation of America fundraising event, “The Harvest,” Aug. 19-20 at the Kunde Family Estate in Sonoma, Calif.

Gary Allee, Sysco Foods protein procurement specialist, attended the event to meet Hereford breeders and develop a relationship with American Hereford Association (AHA) members and staff. In addition, he is exploring the possibility of utilizing the Kunde Family Estate to showcase Certified Hereford Beef^® and Kunde wine to clients.

According to Craig Huffhines, AHA executive vice president, this relationship could be a win-win for Certified Hereford Beef LLC and Sysco Foods.

“The Kunde family has graciously offered their ranch and winery to host product demonstrations and seminars with food industry representatives,” Huffhines says. “Kunde Winery and the family’s Sonoma Mountain Herefords offer a unique opportunity to tell the Hereford story – and to showcase our history and heritage, demonstrate the quality of the product, and provide a hands-on view of Hereford seedstock production.”

During “The Harvest,” Certified Hereford Beef^® Filet Mignon and tri-tip were served.

To date, Sysco Foods distributes Certified Hereford Beef^® in seven major metropolitan cities including Boston, Mass.; Minneapolis, Minn.; Nashville, Tenn.; Norfolk/Virginia Beach, Va.; Ocoee, Fla.; Sacramento, Calif.; and Baraboo, Wis.

Collectively, Sysco handles more than 3.5 million pounds of Certified Hereford Beef^® annually.

Kohl Wholesale Presented Million Pound Award

On Aug. 19, Kohl Wholesale, Quincy, Ill., was presented with the Certified Hereford Beef^® million-pound achievement by the Certified Hereford Beef LLC Food Service Division.

Bron Zimmerman, Kohl Wholesale meat buyer, says in its year-and-a-half relationship with the Certified Hereford Beef Program, Kohl Wholesale has been pleased with the product’s consistency and quality.

“We were looking for a product that was excellent, and would serve our customers well,” he says. “It’s a limited source, which keeps the product consistent. And it’s a domestic product, coming from two midwestern plants. Our customers like the quality of the product, as well.”

Kohl Wholesale is led by the fourth and fifth generations of the Ehrhart family and serves customers in Illinois, Missouri and Iowa. Kohl Wholesale provides service to restaurants, hotels, supermarket delis, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, retail groceries, caterers and taverns.

Butcher Block Charity Cookout

On June 17, Certified Hereford Beef staff teamed up with Certified Hereford Beef^® retailer Butcher Block, Quincy, Ill., for charity.

During this Special Olympics cookout, between 1,000 and 1,200 people enjoyed Certified Hereford Beef^® ribeyes, bacon and cheddar ground chuck burgers, and brisket meals, generating $1,500 for West Central/Area 11 Special Olympics Illinois.

The Butcher Block, owned by Dan and Chris Veihl, conducts Certified Hereford Beef^® cookouts for charity several times a year, for charities including the local Alzheimer’s association.

Home Builders Association Treated to CHB Ribeyes

More than 300 members of the Quincy, Ill., Home Builders Association enjoyed Certified Hereford Beef^® ribeyes during an association event on June 17.

During this event, Mick Welch, Certified Hereford Beef LLC Vice President of Food Service, addressed the crowd about the cattle industry, and more specifically, the value and benefits of Hereford cattle and Hereford beef.