where does walmarts grass fed beef come from

Tracing the Origins: Uncovering the Ranchers Behind Walmart’s Grass-Fed Beef

When you pick up a package of grass-fed ground beef at Walmart, you know you’re getting quality, all-natural beef. But have you ever wondered exactly where that beef comes from? Who are the ranchers raising the cattle that eventually end up in your neighborhood Walmart meat department?

In this article, we’ll explore the origins of Walmart’s grass-fed beef program You’ll meet the multi-generational ranch families behind this sustainable, humanely-raised product. Understanding the caring, thoughtful farmers who produce your food creates a more meaningful connection to what you eat

Why Grass-Fed? Walmart’s Focus on Quality Beef

As a company, Walmart looks to source and provide quality products their customers can feel good about. This includes a commitment to sustainable, ethical food sourcing.

For beef, that means turning to grass-fed ranching practices Grass-fed cattle deliver better flavor and nutrition than conventional grain-fed beef Grass-fed programs also promote land stewardship and humane animal treatment.

Walmart partners with family ranchers dedicated to grass-fed principles. These ranchers focus on:

• Cattle diet – 100% natural grasses and hay, no grains
• Humane treatment – Stress-free, free-range environment
• Sustainability – Rotational grazing enriches the land over time
• No hormones or antibiotics – All natural cattle growth

This approach results in delicious, nutritious beef that aligns with consumer demand for transparency and sustainability.

Crandall Family Ranches: 5 Generations of Cattle Ranching

Walmart sources their grass-fed beef from Crandall Family Ranches, spanning Utah and Wyoming. The Crandalls have over 150 years of cattle ranching heritage.

Their story begins back in the mid-1800s. Joseph Crandall settled in Kamas Valley, Utah after emigrating from England. He purchased cattle and established a successful ranch.

Five generations later, Crandall descendants now operate multiple family ranch properties. This includes:

• Home Ranch in Kamas Valley, Utah
• Ranch near Evanston, Wyoming
• Feedlot and grazing pastures in other Utah locales

Raising cattle is a Crandall family passion and legacy they proudly continue today.

Switching to Sustainable Grass-Fed Practices

Over the past decade, the Crandalls have transitioned their operations to focus exclusively on grass-fed beef. This sustainable approach better aligned with their animal welfare values.

The switch required updating their grazing patterns and cattle diet. Now the cattle spend their entire lives roaming on open pastures and eating only grass and hay. They are never administered growth hormones or unnecessary antibiotics.

This humane, all-natural ranching allows the cattle to grow strong on prairie grasses under wide open skies, just as nature intended. The Crandalls take great pride in stewarding the land and humanely raising their livestock.

From Ranch to Retail: Bringing Grass-Fed Beef to Market

To bring their beef to market, the Crandalls partner with Walmart in an innovative supply chain:

• Cattle are humanely raised on one of the family’s Utah or Wyoming ranches using sustainable grazing practices

• Once ready, cattle are processed at a family-owned facility just 50 miles from the Home Ranch. This minimizes transportation stress on the animals.

• Meat is packaged locally then shipped for quick distribution to Walmart’s regional store locations. This “pasture to plate” efficiency ensures freshness.

• At the store, Walmart butchers cut and prepare the beef to be sold in the meat case.

• Packages are clearly labeled “All Natural Grass-Fed Beef” so customers know what they’re getting.

Through close partnership, the Crandall’s premium grass-fed beef reaches neighborhood Walmart meat cases at accessible prices.

Grass-Fed Certifications and Standards

To earn grass-fed certification, the Crandall’s beef adheres to strict protocols, including:

• Audits to verify 100% grass diet and humane animal treatment

• USDA grading for quality marbling and consistency

• Testing to ensure beef is free of any residues or contaminants

• Food safety controls at every step of the supply chain

• Clear labeling to provide transparency to customers

These certifications verify the beef delivered to Walmart meets the criteria health-conscious consumers value.

Grass-Fed Benefits: Nutrition and Beyond

So why go grass-fed? What benefits does this method of raising beef offer?

• Nutrition – Grass-fed beef is higher in some nutrients like Omega-3s and CLA. The grass diet also results in a healthier fat profile.

• Humane Treatment – Cattle live stress-free in a natural environment versus crowded feedlots.

• Sustainability – Grass farming regenerates prairie land over time.

• Flavor – The 100% grass diet enhances the rich, distinctive taste.

When you choose grass-fed, you get great taste alongside health, ethical, and environmental benefits – now that’s the total package.

The Crandall’s Commitment to Quality Grass-Fed Beef

For five generations, the Crandall family has had a hands-on role in every aspect of their beef ranch operations. This gives them complete control over the quality of their product from birth to market.

The Crandalls are dedicated to:

• Using sustainable grazing methods to care for their land

• Routinely testing cattle for illness and treating humanely

• Monitoring every step of the supply chain for freshness and safety

• Providing full transparency to consumers

This commitment to responsible ranching resonates with customers looking for conscientious choices at the meat counter.

Ranching in Harmony with Nature and Community

In partnering with the Crandalls, Walmart is supporting a ranching legacy that began150 years ago. Though times have changed, the Crandalls still operate with a focus on family, sustainability, and animal welfare.

They take pride in nurturing their land, livestock, and community for the next generation. Their dedication to responsible ranching creates a high-quality grass-fed product born of patience, care, and respect for nature.

When we understand the origins of our food, it brings us closer to the families who grow and raise it. With grass-fed beef from Crandall Family Ranches, Walmart customers can feel connected to an American ranching heritage and farmers who truly care.

The Takeaway: Walmart’s Grass-Fed Beef Connects You to the Source

Walmart’s grass-fed beef program brings you back to the source by partnering with multi-generational ranch families like the Crandalls. This gives customers an opportunity to support small farmers and ethical, sustainable food practices. By choosing grass-fed, you also get great flavor and nutrition from cattle raised humanely in a natural environment. Understanding the roots of where your beef comes from creates a more thoughtful connection to the food on your plate.