Organic Prairie Frequently Asked Questions

Organic Prairie® Organic Beef

What makes Organic Prairie's beef organic?

Healthful, wholesome, and humanely raised Organic Prairie fresh and frozen organic beef is 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, synthetic hormones, or synthetic pesticides in production. For our beef cattle, this practice includes the last third of gestation.
• Organic Prairie beef production is pasture-based, and our cattle receive only 100% certified organic feed and pasture, never rendered animal by-products. Our organic grass-fed cattle receive only 100% certified organic pasture, never stored forage, grain, or rendered animal by-products (at this time, our grass-fed beef products are available in select markets).
• Our certified organic feed and pasture are grown on land not treated with synthetic fertilizers or pesticides for a minimum of three years.
• Pasturing our cattle provides better quality of life for the animal, superior animal health, greater nutritive value in food derived from the animal, and it enriches soil from which the most nutritious pasture and forage is grown.
• 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.

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 beef cattle, 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.

What are the health benefits of eating Organic Prairie's organic beef?

• Eating organic beef is an excellent way of minimizing one's risk of exposure to pesticides, hormones, and antibiotics, as well as the harmful bacteria that are more likely to be found in meat produced in confined animal feeding operations (CAFO's).
• Beef is an excellent source of protein and a good source of iron, zinc, selenium, and B 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.
• The greater the percentage of cattle's diet that comes from grass, the more optimal the ratio of Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids in the beef. Organic grass-fed beef generally has a ratio of 2:1, in contrast to primarily grain-fed beef, which can be as high as 20:1.

For more information on the benefits of eating organic beef, 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 cattle 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.

What varieties of Organic Prairie organic beef are available?

Fresh

• Ground Beef, 85% Lean, 1 lb.
• Ground Beef, 90% Lean, 1 lb.
• Ground Beef, Grass-Fed, 85% Lean, 1 lb. *
• Beef Hot Dogs, 12 oz.
• Classic Hot Dogs, 12 oz. (mixed beef and pork)
• Deli Sliced Roast Beef, 6 oz.
• Deli Sliced Uncured Pepperoni, 5 oz. pouch (mixed beef and pork)

* Organic Prairie's 85% Lean Grass-Fed Organic Ground Beef is being tested as a pilot program in the Western United States due to strong consumer demand for organic grass-fed beef in that region.

Frozen

• Ribeye Steak, 8 oz.
• New York Strip Steak, 8 oz.
• Ground Beef Patties, 10.6 oz.
• Ground Beef Chub, 12 oz.
• Beef Liver Steak, 8 oz.
• Ground Beef, Grass-Fed, 85% Lean, 1 lb. *
• Beef Hot Dogs, 10.5 oz.

Snack

• Beef Jerky, Prairie Classic, 2 oz. (mild)
• Beef Jerky, Smoky Chipotle, 2 oz. (medium)
• Beef Jerky, Spicy Hickory, 2 oz. (hot)

Ready to Eat

• Deli Sliced Roast Beef, 6 oz.
• Deli Sliced Pepperoni, 5 oz. pouch (mixed beef and pork)

Case Ready

• Ground Beef, 85% Lean, 1 lb.
• Ground Beef, 90% Lean, 1 lb.
• Ground Beef, Grass-Fed, 85% Lean, 1 lb. *
• Beef Hot Dogs, 12 oz.
• Classic Hot Dogs, 12 oz. (mixed beef and pork)

* Organic Prairie's 85% Lean Grass-Fed Organic Ground Beef is being tested as a pilot program in the Western United States due to strong consumer demand for organic grass-fed beef in that region.

Foodservice

• Ground Beef Patties, 72% Lean, 3:1, Frozen, 45/15 lb. case
• Coarse Ground Beef, 80% Lean, Fresh/ Frozen, 6/10 lb.
• Coarse Ground Beef, 85% Lean, Fresh/ Frozen, 6/10 lb.
• Coarse Ground Beef, 90% Lean, Fresh/ Frozen, 6/10 lb.
• Fine Ground Beef, 80% Lean, Fresh/ Frozen, 6/10 lb.
• Fine Ground Beef, 85% Lean, Fresh/ Frozen, 6/10 lb.
• Fine Ground Beef, 90% Lean, Fresh/ Frozen, 6/10 lb.
• Trim Pillow Pack, 80% Lean, Fresh/ Frozen, 6/10 lb.
• Trim Pillow Pack, 85% Lean, Fresh/ Frozen, 6/10 lb.
• Trim Pillow Pack, 90% Lean, Fresh/ Frozen, 6/10 lb.
• Trim, 80% Lean, Fresh/ Frozen, 2/25 lb.
• Trim, 85% Lean, Fresh/ Frozen, 2/25 lb.
• Roast Beef Slices, 16:1, Fresh, 2/5 lb.
• Uncured Pepperoni Slices, 256:1, Frozen, 2/5 lb. (mixed beef and pork)
• Uncured Pepperoni Stick, Fresh, 20/2.5 lb. (mixed beef and pork)
• Uncured Skinless Beef Hot Dogs, 6:1, Frozen, 2/5 lb.
• Uncured Skinless Beef & Pork Hot Dogs, 6:1, Frozen, 2/5 lb.
• Boneless Ribeye Steak, IQF (individually quick frozen), 20/case
• Boneless New York Strip, IQF (individually quick frozen), 20/case
• Strips for Fajita or Stirfry, IQF (individually quick frozen), 32/case
• Stew Meat Random, IQF (individually quick frozen), 2/case

What are good uses for Organic Prairie organic beef?

Mouth watering organic beef is a popular and delicious food that has become a staple in the American diet. Organic Prairie's organic beef can be used to make a variety of pleasing meals, from the traditional favorite, the hamburger sandwich, to staple favorites such as chili, lasagna, tacos, and meatloaf. Succulent Ribeye and New York strip steaks can be enjoyed grilled or broiled, or in fajitas and stir frys. Our Roast Beef Deli Slices make healthy lunches a breeze!

Why are our hot dogs described as "uncured?"

The USDA's definition of "cured" meats are those to which synthetic nitrates and nitrites have been added in the form of sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate. When those synthetic nitrates land nitrites are not used, law requires that the meat must be labeled "uncured."

Organic Prairie Uncured Hot Dogs are "cured," but with a curing process that uses the nitrates naturally present in celery juice (and many other vegetables), a lactic acid starter culture, and salt. During the traditional process of wood-smoking, the naturally occurring nitrates in the celery juice are converted to nitrites through a lactic acid fermentation process.

Nitrites, naturally occurring or synthetic, serve a vital public health function of blocking the growth of dangerous bacteria in processed meats, and give "cured" meats their characteristic color and flavor.

What does it mean to say our beef "blooms" after the package is opened?

Our beef (except for the chubs) is vacuum packaged, meaning the air is removed from the package during the sealing process. The beef looks purple-ish because oxygen has been excluded. When the package is opened, oxygen in the air comes into contact with the meat, reacts with the myoglobin in the meat as a natural process, and turns the meat red. The Organic Standards of the National Organic Program prohibit the use of carbon monoxide in organic processing. (we now do for gas flushed pepperoni retail pack)

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.

What is Individually Quick Frozen (IQF)?

Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) is the process of quickly freezing individual pieces of meat prior to packaging. Immediately following processing the meat is placed on a conveyor moving through a tunnel in which extremely cold air is flowing. The IQF process results in enhanced retention of flavor by the rapid removal of heat, allows the pieces to hold their shape through freezing and storage, and prevents the individual pieces from sticking together in packaging.

Is all of our organic beef produced in the United States?

Organic Prairie Family of Farms sources all of our organic beef from the family farms in our cooperative and from other family farm cooperatives producing in compliance with the USDA Organic Standards, both domestically and internationally. Our primary goal is to grow our domestic organic beef program to meet increasing demand, but in the interim we are working with like-minded partners in Australia to meet consumer demand for the products.

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

It is a common misconception that "natural" or "grass-fed" meat is the same thing as "organic" meat. This is not the case. Significant differences exist between the three. Our certified organic farms are required to follow strict standards from the USDA's National Organic Standards and are regularly inspected by independent third party agencies for compliance. 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 exceed USDA standards. new grass-fed standards

Organic Prairie's grass-fed beef is first and foremost organic grass-fed beef. All of Organic Prairie's beef is pasture-based, if not strictly grass-fed, and part of a healthy organic farm rotation that includes some grains. Organic Prairie's organic grass-fed beef is fed only on mother's milk and certified organic pasture.

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.

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