If you’re a meat lover, you’ve probably wondered where your favorite grocery store gets their beef from.
In the case of Safeway, the answer is a bit more complex than you might think.
Safeway has been working hard to differentiate their beef from other grocery stores, and they’ve found that tenderness is the key to consumer satisfaction.
But how do they guarantee tenderness? And where do they source their beef from?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Safeway’s beef sourcing practices and what makes their beef stand out from the rest.
Where Does Safeway Get Their Beef?
Safeway sources their beef from a variety of suppliers, including Cargill Meat Solutions and local Colorado farms. They offer a range of beef grades, including High Select and Low Choice carcasses, which are priced higher than commodity beef but less than Premium Choice brands.
Safeway has been working for nine years to differentiate their beef from other grocery stores. They found that tenderness is the most important aspect of beef-eating satisfaction, according to focus groups they conducted. However, tenderness is difficult to predict accurately and consistently.
To address this issue, Safeway guarantees tenderness in their Rancher’s Reserve brand. This brand is supplied exclusively by Cargill Meat Solutions and consists of beef cuts that are aged a minimum of 14 days. The beef is also guaranteed to be tender, which has propelled the relatively young brand into the same major tonnage league as the venerable Certified Angus Beef® (CAB).
Safeway also offers choice angus beef from a local Colorado farm for all their cuts of beef, except ground beef. They cut all their meat in each store, fresh, and customers can always request a custom cut.
Safeway’s Commitment To Quality Beef
Safeway is committed to providing their customers with high-quality beef that is safe, nutritious, and affordable. They understand that consumers are increasingly interested in knowing how their food is produced and where it comes from. Therefore, Safeway has taken steps to address this desire for information and knowledge by introducing Colorado Proud beef.
Safeway sources their beef from local Colorado farms and Cargill Meat Solutions, which produces the Rancher’s Reserve brand of beef. This brand is guaranteed to be tender and consists of beef cuts that are aged a minimum of 14 days. Safeway’s commitment to quality beef is evident in their focus on tenderness, as they found it to be the most important aspect of beef-eating satisfaction.
In addition to offering high-quality beef, Safeway also ensures that their meat is cut fresh in each store. Customers can request custom cuts, which adds an extra level of personalization to their shopping experience.
The Importance Of Tenderness In Beef
Tenderness is a crucial factor in determining the eating satisfaction of beef. Safeway conducted focus groups and found that tenderness was the most important aspect of beef-eating satisfaction. However, tenderness is difficult to predict accurately and consistently, as a significant amount of Select grade beef tests tender, while a significant amount of Choice grade beef, even Premium Choice beef, tests tough.
To address this issue, Safeway guarantees tenderness in their Rancher’s Reserve brand. This brand consists primarily of High Select and Low Choice carcasses that are aged a minimum of 14 days. The beef is guaranteed to be tender, which has propelled the relatively young brand into the same major tonnage league as the venerable Certified Angus Beef® (CAB).
Safeway’s focus on tenderness has allowed them to differentiate their beef from other grocery stores. They understand that tenderness is a crucial factor in determining customer satisfaction with their beef products. By guaranteeing tenderness in their Rancher’s Reserve brand, they have been able to establish a strong reputation for quality and consistency with their customers.
Safeway’s Beef Sourcing Practices
Safeway has faced criticism in the past regarding their beef sourcing practices. In 2004, a California consumer group accused Safeway of selling unlabeled beef from Canada, a country that had not banned a feeding practice linked to mad cow disease. However, Safeway defended their Canadian-sourced beef products and stated that they purchase only a small quantity of beef products from Canada, all of which meet strict federal requirements for food safety.
Safeway sources their beef from a variety of suppliers, including Cargill Meat Solutions and local Colorado farms. They offer a range of beef grades, including High Select and Low Choice carcasses, which are priced higher than commodity beef but less than Premium Choice brands. Safeway guarantees tenderness in their Rancher’s Reserve brand, which is supplied exclusively by Cargill Meat Solutions and consists of beef cuts that are aged a minimum of 14 days. The beef is also guaranteed to be tender.
Safeway also offers choice angus beef from a local Colorado farm for all their cuts of beef, except ground beef. They cut all their meat in each store, fresh, and customers can always request a custom cut. While they have faced criticism in the past regarding their sourcing practices, Safeway has taken steps to differentiate themselves from other grocery stores and ensure the quality and safety of their beef products.
Working With Local Ranchers And Farmers
In addition to sourcing beef from large suppliers like Cargill Meat Solutions, Safeway also works with local ranchers and farmers to offer customers locally sourced beef. Safeway recently announced that they will begin selling local beef in Colorado under their Rancher’s Reserve Tender Beef label. The new products will be sourced from Cargill’s Fort Morgan, Colo., processing plant and will include steaks, roasts, stew meat, cube steak, and stir fry beef.
The local beef will carry the logo for Colorado Proud, a program that promotes local foods and was started by the Colorado State Department of Agriculture in 1999. Safeway plans to sell the Colorado Proud beef at 116 stores in the region.
Safeway recognizes that consumers are increasingly interested in knowing how their food is produced and where it comes from. By working with local ranchers and farmers, Safeway is addressing this desire for information and knowledge. This also allows Safeway to support local businesses and provide customers with high-quality, fresh meat that is sourced locally.
Safeway also offers choice angus beef from a local Colorado farm for all their cuts of beef, except ground beef. This allows customers to have access to locally sourced beef throughout the year. Additionally, Safeway cuts all their meat in each store, fresh, so customers can always request a custom cut to meet their specific needs.
Safeway’s Beef Processing And Distribution Centers
Safeway’s beef processing and distribution centers are located across the United States. One of their primary suppliers, Cargill Meat Solutions, has processing centers in Colorado and Kansas. Safeway’s Rancher’s Reserve brand is supplied exclusively by Cargill Meat Solutions and is processed at their Colorado facility.
Safeway also sources beef from local Colorado farms for all their cuts of beef, except ground beef. The beef is aged a minimum of 14 days to ensure tenderness and is cut fresh in each store. Customers can request a custom cut to meet their specific needs.
To ensure food safety, Safeway has strict quality control measures in place at their processing and distribution centers. They follow all USDA guidelines for handling and processing meat products to prevent contamination and ensure the safety of their customers.
In the case of a recall or contamination issue, Safeway takes immediate action to protect their customers. They issue recalls and urge customers to check their freezers and refrigerators for affected products. Safeway also offers refunds or replacements for any recalled products.
