Organic Prairie Frequently Asked Questions

Organic Prairie® Sliced Deli Meats

What makes Organic Prairie's Sliced Deli Meats organic?

Healthful, wholesome, and humanely raised Organic Prairie fresh Hardwood Smoked Ham, Roast Beef, Roast Turkey Breast, Smoked Turkey Breast, Canadian Bacon, Roast Chicken Breast, and Pepperoni Sliced Deli Meats are produced by cooperative family farmers working in harmony with nature.

• Our farmer-owned cooperative has been producing organic meats since 1997, according to practices that meet and often exceed USDA's National Organic Standards www.ams.usda.gov/nop, giving us confidence in saying we represent the gold-standard in organic meat production.
• Our certified organic farms are annually inspected by independent third party agencies.
• Organic Prairie farmers never use antibiotics, or synthetic hormones or pesticides in production. For beef cattle and hogs, this is from the last third of gestation. For turkeys and chickens, organic management starts the first day out of the egg.
• Organic Prairie beef production is pasture-based, and our animals receive only 100% certified organic feed, never rendered animal by-products.
• Our certified organic feed and pasture are grown without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides for a minimum of three years.
• Organic animals are allowed to express natural behaviors, and have regular access to the outdoors.
• We prohibit the use of cloned livestock in our herds. Our animals are fed only certified organic feed and no genetically modified organisms (GMO's).
• All spices and ingredients used in our products are approved for organic processing by the USDA's National Organic Program and certified organic whenever possible.

What are the health benefits of eating Organic Prairie's Sliced Deli Meats?

• Lean organic meats are excellent sources of protein, and an excellent way to minimize risk of exposure to antibiotics, and synthetic pesticides or hormones, as well as the harmful bacteria that are more likely to be found in meat produced in confined animal feeding operations (CAFO's).
• Pork provides six essential vitamins: Thiamin, 65% RDA, Riboflavin, 22% RDA, Niacin, 47% RDA, Vitamin B6, 24% RDA, Vitamin B12, 38% RDA, and Pantothenate, 10% RDA, and four important minerals: Phosphorous, 22% RDA, Magnesium, 10% RDA, Iron, 9% RDA, and Zinc, 36% RDA.
• Beef is a good source of iron, zinc, selenium, and B-complex vitamins. People who eat beef regularly are more likely to meet 100% of the RDA for protein, iron, zinc, and B-vitamins. (USDA CSFII 1994-96 ).
• Stearic acid, a unique saturated fatty acid, is found in beef. Research in humans and animals suggests it has either a neutral or cholesterol-lowering effect, in contrast to other saturated fatty acids found in meat.
• Organic turkey and chicken allowed access to the outdoors has 21% less total fat, 30% less saturated fat, 28% fewer calories, 50% more vitamin A, and 100% more omega-3 fatty acid than from turkey not allowed outdoor access (USDA Sustainable Agriculture & Research Education Program).

For more information on the health benefits of eating organic meats, see the Health & Nutrition links in the Resource Section at www.organicvalley.coop.

How does Organic Prairie manage animal health?

The foundation of Organic Prairie's organic livestock production is maintaining strong, healthy animals with low stress and robust immune systems. Our organic animals are raised and our meats are produced without use of antibiotics, and synthetic hormones or pesticides. Our farmers practice preventative medicine and natural remedies so that antibiotics and hormones are not needed in the first place. Further, we have within our cooperative some of the nation's foremost experts in holistic animal husbandry, and traditional and organic veterinary medicine, who we offer to our farmer members as a resource.

Is organic meat safe?

Organic meat is the safest choice because it comes from healthy animals raised on healthy land.

• Our regularly audited practices lead to superior health and living conditions for our organic animals, a primary component in food safety.
• All Organic Prairie meats are processed at federally inspected plants which are certified for organic production by a third party organic certifier accredited by the National Organic Program of the USDA.
• We visit and audit all plants regularly to ensure they meet our strict quality standards, and in addition, each plant undergoes an annual third party audit for Animal Welfare and Good Manufacturing Processes to ensure a safe and humane processing environment.
• Each lot of our product undergoes rigorous microbial testing far beyond that required by the USDA before shipping to ensure it meets our own quality standards.
• Each unit of Organic Prairie meat is traceable back to a lot. Each lot is traceable back to the farms of origin, and the Farm Plan required by the National Organic Program allows the specific animals included in the lot to be identified and traced back to birth.
• Organic Prairie's sliced deli meats are processed using the traditional heat treatment, as well as High Pressure Processing to ensure flavor, freshness, and food safety.

What is High Pressure Processing?

High Pressure Processing is a physical treatment approved for use in organic food processing. Cooked, packaged meats are placed in a water chamber where very high pressure is applied, killing any residual bacteria without use of high heat, chemicals, or irradiation. HPP can extend shelf-life without compromising food safety in foods manufactured without use of chemical preservatives. High pressure does not diminish flavor, texture, or nutritional content.

Why do Organic Prairie Sliced Deli Meats contain more meat and less water than conventionally processed deli slices?

Organic Prairie sliced deli meats are processed without use of sodium phosphate to increase water retention. For this reason, packages of Organic Prairie sliced deli meats contain more meat and less water than conventionally processed deli sliced meats.

What is the difference between organic, natural, free-range, and grass-fed meat?

It is a common misconception that natural, free-range, or grass-fed meat is the same thing as certified organic meat. This is not the case. Significant differences exist between them. Certified organic farms are required to follow strict standards from the USDA's National Organic Program, and are inspected by an independent third party each year for compliance. These standards prohibit the use of antibiotics, synthetic hormones, and pesticides, and require humane animal treatment. The organic certification process is the guarantee to consumers these rules are being followed. Additionally, our cooperative inspects the farms of our members for compliance with our pasturing requirements which meet and exceed USDA standards.

What does the "freeze by" date mean?

The "freeze by" date is the date by which it is safe to freeze a fresh meat product for later use. Thawed meat should be used immediately.

What are good uses for Organic Prairie Sliced Deli Meats?

Organic Prairie Deli Sliced Meats provide the delicious taste, outstanding nutrition, and food safety assurance of certified organic Hardwood Smoked Ham, Roast Beef, Roast Turkey Breast, Smoked Turkey Breast, Canadian Bacon, Roast Chicken Breast, and Pepperoni with the convenience of pre-sliced meats in re-sealable zipper pouches. Please your family and friends with hot ham and cheese, roast beef with horseradish on dark rye, a light breezy turkey or chicken club sandwich, or delicious pizza. Our sliced deli meats are perfect for lunches, picnics, and quick easy meals and snacks.

What varieties of Organic Prairie sliced deli meats are available?

• Hardwood Smoked Ham, 6 oz.
• Roast Beef, 6 oz.
• Roast Turkey Breast, 6 oz.
• Smoked Turkey Breast, 6 oz.
• Canadian Bacon, 6 oz.
• Roast Chicken Breast, 6 oz.
• Uncured Pepperoni, 5 oz. pouch (mixed beef and pork)

What varieties of Organic Prairie Sliced Deli Meats are available for Foodservice?

• Hardwood Smoked Ham, 20:1, 3/30 oz.
• Roast Beef, 20:1, 3/30 oz.
• Roast Turkey Breast, 20:1, 3/30 oz.

We care for the earth while bringing you the highest quality food