Clear Lake's McDonald's Meats wins Beef Backer Award
Date Modified: 04/25/2012 9:39 PM
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MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota's beef farmers and ranchers have named McDonald's Meats of Clear Lake as the 2012 Minnesota Beef Backer Award winner in the Retail Division for independent retailers.
The program honors food companies with extraordinary leadership in marketing beef, which sets them apart from their peers. McDonald's Meats received an award plaque at the Minnesota Meat Processors Convention banquet last month in Rochester. McDonald's is a family owned retail meat and butcher shop that has been operating in Clear Lake for 97 years. They have long been a supporter of beef and merchandise beef in various ways, conducting many beef promotions throughout the year.
In addition to their day-to-day operation, McDonald's Meats participates each year in the Beef Innovations Contest at the Minnesota Association of Meat Processors Convention.
This contest category is sponsored by the Minnesota Beef Council. McDonald's Meats received the Champion Award for their BBQ Beef Brisket in March 2011. They have placed in the top three at this event for the last several years.
"We strive every day to bring our customers great customer service and exceptional quality beef products," said Jennifer Dierkes, general manager of McDonald's Meats. "We are always trying to create new, innovative beef items like our beef bacon. We are providing small, local farmers a way to private label their beef and bring them to a wider audience throughout the state through re-selling at co-ops and farmers markets. We work throughout the year with the Minnesota Beef Council to bring samples of great beef products to consumers at different events.''
Dierkes is also a past president of the Minnesota Association of Meat Processors.
"The Beef Backer program is our way of recognizing those establishments that exhibit leadership and their versatility with beef," said Colleen Zenk, director of nutrition and consumer information for the Minnesota Beef Council."