Uncovering the Quality Behind Safeway’s Beef Selections

As a regular Safeway shopper, you’ve likely picked up cuts of tasty beef from their meat department. But have you ever wondered where exactly that beef comes from? With consumers increasingly interested in sourcing and transparency, it’s a fair question to ask.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how Safeway sources their varied beef offerings From large suppliers to local ranches, Safeway uses a diverse network of partners to stock their shelves with quality meat Read on to learn more about the journey your Safeway beef takes from pasture to plate.

An Overview of Safeway’s Beef Supply Chain

Safeway sources beef from a variety of suppliers, including major corporations like Cargill along with smaller, local ranches This diversity provides Safeway with options across various price points and quality levels.

For their lower-cost beef, Safeway partners with major suppliers like Cargill Meat Solutions. This includes products categorized as “High Select” and “Low Choice” – less expensive than premium offerings, but a step above basic commodity beef.

On the local side, Safeway partners with Colorado beef producers. They even cut steaks in-store from whole primal cuts sourced from these local ranches. This farm-to-store beef provides a transparency and quality that appeals to many shoppers.

The Story Behind Safeway’s Rancher’s Reserve

One of Safeway’s most popular house brands for beef is Rancher’s Reserve. Found in the meat department right alongside national brands, this line provides quality on par with premium beef.

Exclusively supplied by Cargill, Rancher’s Reserve consists of carefully selected and aged beef. Each cut undergoes wet aging for a minimum of 14 days to guarantee tenderness. This process helps tenderize beef by using humidity and temperature controls to break down connective tissues.

Safeway’s strict standards for marbling, consistency, and aging set Rancher’s Reserve apart from traditional commodity beef. The impressive quality has quickly made it a go-to beef line for Safeway shoppers.

Why Tenderness Matters Most

When developing their beef programs, Safeway realized that tenderness makes the biggest difference for consumer satisfaction.

Through conducting focus groups, they found shoppers care most about predictable, reliable tenderness over all other traits like flavor and juiciness. But tenderness can vary significantly, even among cuts of the same USDA grade.

By wet aging Rancher’s Reserve for two weeks, Safeway is able to guarantee a tender bite. This gives shoppers confidence that their Safeway steaks will deliver on satisfaction – a powerful advantage that builds brand loyalty.

Introducing Locally Sourced Beef Options

In addition to major suppliers like Cargill, Safeway also partners with local Colorado beef producers. This provides shoppers with more transparency into where their beef comes from.

Safeway’s local Colorado beef program includes choice Angus beef cuts sold under the banner of “Colorado Proud.” Ranchers raise cattle on pasture before sending them to Cargill’s processing facility in Fort Morgan, Colorado.

From there, Safeway receives whole primals to cut steaks in-store. This gives shoppers the freshest, most local beef possible. It also supports smaller producers in Safeway’s community.

Safeway’s Commitment to Quality Control

At Safeway’s meat plants and distribution centers, quality control teams work diligently to ensure beef meets specifications. They adhere to all USDA and FDA food safety protocols when handling raw beef products.

If a recall occurs, Safeway acts swiftly to protect public health. They notify customers, pull recalled items from shelves immediately, and offer refunds. Thanks to their focus on quality control from pasture to plate, Safeway beef has a strong reputation for safety and integrity.

Introducing Certified Humane Beef

We’re also proud to now offer Certified Humane beef, thanks to our new partnership with Aspen Ridge. Their dedication to humane ranching practices matched our commitment to providing quality meat from animals treated with care.

Aspen Ridge works closely with family cattle ranches, where cattle spend their days grazing freely on open pastures. This stress-free, cage-free environment promotes natural behaviors and healthy growth. An independent auditor ensures standards are met for nutritious diets, proper veterinary care, and much more.

You can feel good knowing your Certified Humane beef from Safeway comes from ranches focused on doing right by their animals, the planet, and you. It’s beef produced humanely, the way nature intended.

What Sets Safeway Beef Apart?

When it comes to sourcing beef, Safeway goes beyond the industry standard with their dedication to quality, tenderness, and sustainability. Here are some of the key advantages that set Safeway beef offerings apart:

• Rigorous specifications for marbling, grade, aging time, and other traits related to quality and eating satisfaction.

• Tenderness guaranteed through proper aging protocols, ensuring a tender eating experience time after time.

• Local partnerships that allow in-store cutting from whole primal cuts and support smaller producers.

• Humane and sustainable practices required of Safeway’s ranching partners, for ethically raised beef.

• Swift action on recalls thanks to quality control teams monitoring safety at every step.

• Custom cutting available in-store upon request, for steaks and roasts cut to your exact specifications.

With these advantages over standard commodity beef, it’s easy to see why shoppers seek out the premium quality available at their local Safeway meat counter.

Bringing Safeway’s Quality Beef Home

When you select beef at Safeway, you can trust you’re getting an excellent product backed by their commitment to quality, tenderness, and sustainability. Here are some tips for bringing out the best flavors from your Safeway beef at home:

• Allow thicker cuts to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking to prevent thermal shock.

• Season simply with salt, pepper, garlic, and herbs to complement — not mask — the natural flavor.

• Sear over high heat to develop a flavorful, caramelized crust.

• Monitor temperature using a meat thermometer, removing from heat just below final target temp.

• Allow to rest 5+ minutes before slicing, so juices redistribute evenly.

With quality beef from trusted sources and proper cooking, you’ll enjoy satisfying meals made with beef raised right. Safeway delivers beef you can feel good about, from pasture to plate.