Meijer is an all-inclusive supercenter with a well-stocked grocery section. There is fresh meat in the meat section of the store, which may make you wonder where Meijer gets its meat.
The question is where does Meijer get its meat? I looked into it and this is what I found!
Meijer is a popular supermarket chain with over 250 locations across the Midwest. With quality fresh meat like beef being a major part of their business, many customers wonder – where exactly does Meijer get all their beef from? In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into Meijer’s complex beef supply chain.
Overview of Meijer’s Beef Supply Chain
Meijer procures beef for their stores through a decentralized supply chain spanning multiple suppliers and processing facilities. According to company statements Meijer purchases beef from major packing plants across the Midwest. This includes facilities in states like Nebraska Kansas, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
Meijer has not disclosed the exact list of specific suppliers and packing plants they work with However, industry sources indicate much of their beef comes from leading protein producers like Tyson Foods, Cargill, National Beef, and JBS The company likely has diversified contracts with multiple suppliers for each beef cut rather than just one provider.
Meijer’s corporate policy is to source fresh beef from facilities located within a 500 mile radius of their stores whenever possible. This allows for efficient transportation and better product oversight compared to importing beef from farther distances.
Why Meijer Uses Regional Beef Suppliers
There are several key reasons why Meijer focuses on procuring beef from regional packing facilities:
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Transportation efficiency – With a more centralized supply chain, Meijer reduces transportation costs and delivery time. This enhances freshness and shelf life.
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Relationships and oversight – Close proximity enables Meijer to develop stronger partnerships and maintain quality control over regional facilities.
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Support for local economies – Sourcing regional beef keeps more dollars within local farming communities, which aligns with Meijer’s brand values.
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Flexibility and scale – A network of multiple regional suppliers provides more flexibility compared to just a few centralized mega-plants.
Grading Standards and Specifications
Meijer maintains rigorous specifications for all the fresh beef they purchase. Suppliers must conform to the following standards:
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USDA grading – All beef sold must be USDA graded Choice or Select. Lower quality beef grades are not accepted.
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Marbling requirements – Beef must meet minimum marbling scores for each cut to ensure consistent quality.
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Production process – Cattle must be raised without added hormones or antibiotics and be harvested humanely.
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Handling – Proper meat handling procedures must be followed including temperature control, sanitation, and prevention of contamination.
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Testing – Regular microbiological testing is done to verify food safety and compliance with specifications.
By enforcing strict grading and quality criteria, Meijer is able to provide customers with exceptional, consistent beef products. This attention to quality control is a key factor in Meijer’s beef program.
Beef Cuts and Products Sold at Meijer
Meijer sells a full assortment of fresh beef cuts obtained from their network of regional suppliers:
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Steaks – Ribeye, NY strip, filet mignon, flat iron, flank, skirt, and other popular steaks.
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Roasts – Prime rib, chuck roast, rump roast, eye of round, and various boneless roasts.
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Ground beef – Fresh ground beef sold in quarter-pound packages up to five pound chubs.
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Variety meats – Liver, tongue, heart, oxtail, kidneys, and other variety meat cuts.
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Thin meats – Boneless stew meat, stir fry strips, beef tips, and cubed steak for braising.
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Short ribs – English and flanken style bone-in short ribs.
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Brisket – Whole packer briskets and flat half briskets.
As you can see, the full range of traditional beef cuts are represented thanks to Meijer’s diverse supplier network.
Value-Added Beef Products
In addition to raw bulk packs of beef, Meijer also sells many value-added beef items:
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Seasoned hamburger patties – Flavored frozen patties inoriginal, bacon and cheddar, bleu cheese, and other varieties.
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Prepared beef entrées – Marinated carne asada, stuffed peppers, beef pot roast, and other grab-and-go items.
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Marinated meat – Refrigerated fajita meat, marinated steak tips, and citrus-flavored carne asada.
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Deli products – Corned beef, pastrami, roast beef deli slices, and pre-made sandwiches/wraps.
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Smoked meats – Smoked brisket, beef hot dogs, sausages, and beef jerky.
These convenient beef products allow busy customers to enjoy the flavor of slow-cooked, seasoned beef without spending hours preparing it themselves.
Meijer’s Angus Beef Selections
For customers seeking premium quality beef, Meijer also carries an impressive selection of Angus beef cuts certified by the American Angus Association:
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Angus ground chuck – Burgers and meatloaf made from 80% lean ground Angus chuck are juicy and flavorful.
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Angus steaks – Hand cut bone-in/boneless ribeyes, NY strips, and filet mignon from Stock Yards Angus.
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Angus roasts – Flavorful boneless Angus chuck roasts cooked slow and low yield incredibly tender pot roasts.
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Angus brisket – Certified Angus beef briskets make amazing smoked brisket with intense marbling.
The superior marbling of these Angus beef products results in some of the best flavor and tenderness around. For discerning beef lovers, Meijer’s certified Angus beef is a cut above.
Why Meijer’s Beef Supply Chain Works
There are several aspects that make Meijer’s regionalized beef supply chain an efficient model:
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Decentralization – Sourcing from multiple plants avoids over reliance on just one giant supplier.
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Adaptability – The flexibility to shift volumes between plants helps optimize operations.
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Redundancy – If one facility has an issue, others suppliers can pick up the slack.
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Scalability – The network can expand or contract to match Meijer’s changing needs.
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Cost efficiency – Suppliers located closer to stores reduces transportation expenses.
By maintaining a diversified network of regional suppliers, Meijer can provide customers with consistent quality, pricing, and availability on beef products.
Meijer Angus Ranch – A Vertically Integrated Supplier
An interesting component of Meijer’s beef program is their ownership of an actual cattle ranch. Meijer purchased the Angus Ranch in northern Michigan in 2013.
While the ranch only supplies a small fraction of Meijer’s overall beef needs, it provides insight into the entire process from pasture to package. Key facts about the ranch:
- Located on 35,000 acres near the Manistique River
- Home to approximately 5,000 head of Angus cattle
- Fully sustainable operation with zero growth hormones
- Cattle diet from natural forage and locally sourced feed
- Beef featured at Meijer under private brands like Meijer Family Farms
- Provides supply chain transparency from ranch gate to store
Owning the ranch enables Meijer to better understand industry dynamics while telling an engaging brand story around their products.
Testing Innovative New Technologies
Meijer seeks out innovative new supply chain technologies to improve their beef program:
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Blockchain – Piloting blockchain systems to enhance supply chain transparency.
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RFID – Exploring RFID tag use for better inventory management and tracking.
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Automation – Investing in automated meat cutters and wrappers to improve volume capabilities.
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AI/ML – Looking into AI and machine learning applications for forecasting and distribution.
By proactively testing leading-edge technologies, Meijer can continue optimizing their beef supply operations into the future.
Meijer’s Beef Suppliers Enable Quality Products
Where Does Meijer Get Its Meat In [currentyear]?
Meijer gets meat from suppliers and vendors in the U. S. in [currentyear]. The store’s meat department provides a full selection of meat, including beef, pork, chicken, and turkey. Most of this meat comes from U. S. farmers, as Meijer’s purpose is to sell meat only raised in the U. S. The meat also comes in different brands or grades.
Check out this article to find out if Meijer sells good meat, what grade the meat is, and a lot more!
What Grade of Beef Does Meijer Sell?
Meijer sells high-grade beef from select brands. In addition to the store beef brand, Meijer also sells beef from brands such as Certified Angus Beef.
Beef from this brand is ranked at a higher grade than USDA Prime, Select, and Choice.
Rockford Meijer recalls ground beef
FAQ
Does Meijer have quality meat?
Where does most supermarket beef come from?
What is the most common grade of beef sold in grocery stores?
Is grocery store beef good?
Where does Meijer get its meat?
Meijer sources meat products from many companies. They do not source in the U.S., but they source locally from the U.S. Where Does Meijer Get Its Meat In 2022? Meijer plans to continue selling only meat raised in the U.S. in 2022, but is also testing selling other products.
Does Meijer have turkey meat?
Turkey meat at Meijer is also of good quality, and you can purchase it as ground, turkey breasts, or even turkey meatballs. Meijer – The place where you can find all the best meat, fresh and frozen. What Types of Meat Does Meijer Have? The meat is bought in the form of cuts. The cuts vary depending on the category and type.
Where does Meijer chicken come from?
Meijer operates over 100 stores in 15 states. The company sources its fresh chicken from local family farms in the Tennessee area. Does Meijer Have Good Meat? Meijer is also another nice option for those who want better fresh meat than you would find at the dollar store, and at a quality you can’t find at the grocery store.
Does Meijer have chicken breast?
Meijer has a wide variety of cuts of meat, so you can choose between ground beef, large chunks, fillet, or steak. It appears that Meijer has switched the chicken breasts to non-antibiotic chicken breasts. The other options are antibiotic free. Meijer sells pork meat sourced from vegan-fed pigs.