Superior Farms Secures USDA Approval for Industry’s First Camera Grading Technology

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Superior Farms Continues to Invest in the US Lamb Industry by Providing Electronic Grading to Benefit Producers and Consumers

February 6th, 2018 (Sacramento, CA) – Superior Farms, North America’s largest lamb processor, announced that it has received approval from the USDA to begin grading carcasses with the VSS2000 System camera (Electronic Grading), the first digital camera to be approved for use in the US lamb industry. The new digital camera was installed in October 2015, and Superior Farms has worked hand-in-hand with the USDA to secure approval since then.

Rick Stott, President and CEO of Superior Farms said of the launch; “Our team worked closely with the USDA for two years validating the camera’s algorithms to assure accurate full carcass measurements of both yield and quality grades.   Combining Electronic Grading with our Producer Portal will allow unprecedented access to carcass information by our producer partners that will allow every segment of our industry to continue to produce a better product.”

This Electronic Grading system will provide Superior Farms producers detailed meat information about their lambs.  “We will now be able to share this detailed information with producers through our Producer Portal.  This information includes the USDA Yield Grade and Quality Grade, as well as the Ovine Cutability Calculation (OCC), the primal weights (leg, loin, shoulder, rack, breast, trotters, and neck) and two digital images of each lamb carcass processed,” said Lesa Eidman, Director of Producer Resources and Sustainability for Superior Farms.

“This technology will provide our producers with an unprecedented amount of information about the meat and carcass characteristics of their lambs. Ultimately, producers will be able to make genetic and production changes to provide US lamb customers with the highest quality, most consistent product we can deliver,” added Eidman.

The next steps are to, first, pair this information with the Electronic Identification (EID) tags so that producers can see the data on an individual lamb basis.  Second, to implement the technology in Superior Farms’ Denver facility.

“Now that we have received approval from the USDA for the camera grading, we can begin implementing the technology in our Denver facility,” Stott noted. “We look forward to working with the USDA to expedite the approval process so that both of our facilities have this state of the art technology.”  The USDA grader will remain onsite to verify that the technology remains accurate and in-line with the USDA grading standards.

The American Lamb Board has been a vital participant in bringing this development to fruition.  Most importantly, the board funded electronic grading research conducted by The Center for Meat Safety and Quality, Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University.  In their study titled “Industry Implications and Economics of Implementation of Lamb Instrument Grading,” The CSU found overwhelming evidence of the value of the camera technology and concluded: “… unprecedented information about lamb carcass composition and value will be collected and available. True production management decisions can be made by U.S. sheep producers with conveyance of product attributes of harvested lambs.”

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Founded in 1964 with headquarters in Sacramento, California, Superior Farms is North America’s largest, and most sustainable, processor and marketer of lamb. The company is the recognized leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves, providing products and services to customers throughout the United States, Canada, and more than 10 countries. The company has approximately 400 employee-owners at its nationwide network of facilities and offices.  Superior Farms is an employee-owned company whose members take pride in their individual roles and contributions to the company’s success.  The Superior Farms family of brands includes Superior Farms, www.superiorfarms.com; Cascade Creek, www.cascadecreeklamb.com;  Farmer’s Mark, www.farmersmark.com

Torchy’s Damn Good® Taco Dares Customers To Try Lamb

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Restaurant to Offer Taco of the Month Featuring Superior Farms American Lamb

December 1, 2015 — Torchy’s Tacos, the popular taco shop, is known for their chef-inspired creations that elevate the standard taco.  This December, customers can step out of their chicken and beef habits and try a lamb taco.

Between December 1st and 31st, customers can visit any one of Torchy’s Tacos’ 34 locations and enjoy the South Pole (Braised and shredded lamb topped with French-fried onions, a cranberry-habanero jam, fresh avocado, Diablo Hot Sauce, cotija cheese, cilantro, and lime), with all-natural lamb sourced by Superior Farms™.

Megan Wortman of the American Lamb Board, a group dedicated to educating customers about the protein says, “Lamb is making its way more and more onto menus.  We’re excited about reaching new customers with Torchy’s and continuing the advocacy of this flavorful, nutrient-rich product.”

Michael Rypka, VP of Culinary and Marketing at Torchy’s reserves no hesitation for his customers.  “This taco is one of our most culinary- inspired items.  It is part fancy, part festive, but all Torchy’s.  Our fans are going to love it.”

The company says that the name, the South Pole, plays off of the dichotomy of Torchy’s food itself – an equal, but grittier call out to the holiday season.

For more information regarding Torchy’s Tacos and their new special, visit www.torchystacos.com.

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About Torchy’s Tacos

Torchy’s Tacos started in 2006 with a mobile trailer, a little red Vespa, and a man with a passion for good food.  Seven years ago, Mike Rypka left an executive chef position to chase his dreams by investing everything he had into Torchy’s Tacos.  With a new, experimental menu ready to serve but no mouths to feed, Rypka jumped on his Vespa and started throwing out samples in an attempt to draw customers to his trailer.  Before he knew it, people were rallying beside the taco stand hollering, “damn these tacos are good!” and the Torchy’s Tacos’ legacy began.  Today, Torchy’s Tacos operates 34 locations throughout Texas, plus one opening in Denver, Colorado in 2016.

About Superior Farms

Superior Farms has been a trusted source of American lamb since 1964. With more than 400 employee-owners, the company is proud to support small family ranches producing a delicious, high-quality product. Follow on Facebook, Twitter (@eatlamb), or Instagram (@superiorfarms).

About American Lamb Board

The American Lamb Board is an industry-funded research and promotions commodity board that represents all sectors of the American Lamb industry including producers, feeders, seed stock producers and processors. The Board, appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture, is focused on increasing demand by promoting the freshness, flavor, nutritional benefits, and culinary versatility of American Lamb. The work of the American Lamb Board is overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the board’s programs are supported and implemented by the staff in Denver, Colorado.

In Late Summer Months, Grill Like A Greek With Lamb

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Superior Farms Partners With OPA Dressings By Litehouse For Promotion

July 17, 2015( Davis, CA) – How do you grill like a Greek? Superior Farms suggests it is by grilling delicious lamb cuts – and they are solidifying this idea with a digital and in-store campaign in July and August with a partnership with OPA dressings by Litehouse.

Consumers will be invited to www.LambMeetsGrill.com to vote for their favorite of four lamb and OPA recipes. From there they will be entered to win a grill and a year’s worth of lamb and OPA dressing.

“This kind of partnership is exactly what lamb needs to branch out across the store and show how easy and versatile the cuts can be to cook and enjoy,” said Angela Gentry, Marketing Director for Superior Farms. “The products could not be more complimentary.”

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Rebecca Scritchfield agrees that adding lamb to the home menu is a great idea for summer. “Prevent food boredom by making one small change, like swapping lamb for beef in any recipe. Lamb packs a flavorful and nutritious punch with satisfying protein, vitamins, and minerals for lasting energy.”

Along with the sweepstakes, there will be on-pack couponing in select stores, a digital advertising campaign, and recipe brochures offered to retailers to help enhance the visibility of the products. A strong social media push will be made as well.

“Consumers may not know that lamb is as easy to grill as beef,” said Gentry. “For example, a lamb loin chop is just a smaller version of a T-bone steak. And a butterflied leg cooks very much like a tri-tip. Once people start trying these easy and affordable cuts on the grill, I’m sure it will become a summer staple.”

Superior Farms is hoping that retailers will participate in the promotion by displaying the new recipe cards for July and August and posting the recipes and the sweepstakes on their own websites and social media pages.

OPA dressings by Litehouse can be found in the produce department.

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Superior Farms, with headquarters in Davis, California, is North America’s largest processor and marketer of lamb. The company is the recognized leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves, providing products and services to customers throughout the United States, Canada, and more than 10 countries. The company has approximately 400 employee-owners at its nationwide network of facilities and offices. Follow on Twitter: @eatlamb

First Home Opener for San Francisco And Ballpark Continues To Offer Giant Burger Flavors

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Dixon’s Local Superior Farms’ Lamb Sliders Also Now at Raley Field

April 13th, 2015 (DIXON, CA)–Raley Field and the Sacramento River Cats have more to offer than a new Triple-A league affiliation. Thanks to the popularity of the Superior Farms’ lamb burgers and sausages at AT&T Park, the new home base for the Giants’ minor league team is now offering big league lamb sliders with its new “Euro” slider featuring crumbled goat cheese, cucumber and carrot slaw finished with tzatziki sauce.

Created by Andrew Guerere, Executive Sous Chef for the River Cats/Ovations, the burger is like no other baseball park slider. “We really wanted to do something that was out of the box; something totally original,” says Guerere. “This euro-inspired slider is moist and flavorful. Combined with the toppings, it’s a homerun.”

The “Euro” slider, currently offered at Raley Field’s suite level, is the next step in Superior Farms’ farm-to-fork outreach to consumers.  “We’re thrilled to be supporting our hometown team with homegrown lamb sliders,” says Angela Gentry, Marketing Director for Superior Farms. “Over the course of the season, Superior Farms will be promoting local lamb through a variety of events at the ballpark. We know that people care about where their food comes from and we’re excited to introduce ourselves to River Cats fans.”

The new burger is the latest addition to the world-series-winning franchise’s lamb roster. Across the Bay, AT&T Park currently serves up an Irish-style Lamb Burger topped with white Cheddar at Murphy’s Irish Pub on the Club Level, a direct result of ticket holders’ request for a lamb item to appear on this VIP level. This offering complements an Italian-style Lamb Sausage featured at three venues in the Ballpark by the Bay, as well as a Greek style lamb burger.

American lamb, once reserved for holidays and mint jelly, is quickly becoming an everyday dining choice, especially in the San Francisco Bay Area. Lamb sausage and burgers just go to show that lamb can be a casual, week-day meal.

Baseball fans are taking notice as American lamb serves up flavor and nutrition. “Ounce for ounce, lamb packs flavor and nutrients, allowing restaurants to create appealing menus for consumers and foodie palates, says spokesperson Rebecca Scritchfield, registered dietitian nutritionist. “Superior Farms’ lamb burger is comfort food with a wow-factor.”

For more information about purchasing Superior Farms’ American Lamb products contact Superior Farms’ customer service at 1-800-228-5262 or www.superiorfarms.com.

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Superior Farms, founded in 1964 with headquarters in Davis, California, is North America’s largest processor and marketer of lamb. The company is the recognized leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves, providing products and services to customers throughout the United States, Canada, and more than 10 countries. An ESOP Company (Employee Stock Ownership Plan), Superior Farms is an employee-owned company whose members take pride in their individual roles and contributions to the company’s success.

The company has approximately 400 employee-owners at its nationwide network of facilities and offices. Twitter: @eatlamb

Superior Farms Introduces Pulled Lamb

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Precooked & Pulled Boneless American Lamb Shoulder Takes Out the Guesswork and Serves Up Menu Possibilities.

March 12th, 2015 (DIXON, CA)–Aimed at the growing casual-dining sector, Superior Farms’ new Precooked & Pulled Lamb Shoulder made its trade debut at this week’s International Restaurant & Foodservice Show in New York. Featuring sustainably raised and humanely harvested American lamb, Superior Farms’ new product will enable chefs to menu lamb more easily and frequently.

From pulled lamb sliders and burgers to lamb benedict, Superior Farms’ versatile product will enable chefs to capitalize on growing trends and offer their customers more to choose from with small plates, slider and brunch offerings.

“We developed this product in collaboration with chefs,” says Anders Hemphill, Vice President of Marketing & Brand Strategy for Superior Farms. “With the convenience of our new pulled lamb product, chefs will now be able to menu lamb as frequently as they like. Whether they add a California Lamb Taco to their offerings, a Lamb Cheesesteak Sandwich and so on, chefs will be able to innovate with some pretty delicious flavor combinations.”

Superior Farms’ timing is on target. According to a recent Dataessential report, lamb is the fastest-growing animal protein on restaurant menus, and in 2014, appeared on 13 percent more menus than in 2000.

“We’ve known that the possibilities are endless for lamb,” continues Hemphill.  “Chefs at the International Restaurant & Foodservice Show in New York are telling us that they love how versatile and affordable this new product is.  We are keenly aware of the pressures and constraints they face in the kitchen. Superior Farms’ Pulled Lamb Shoulder will allow for multiple low-cost applications that will draw new customers and plate profits.”

“Ounce for ounce, lamb packs flavor and nutrients, allowing restaurants to create appealing menus for health-conscious consumers and foodie palates, says spokesperson Rebecca Scritchfield, registered dietitian nutritionist. “The new pulled lamb product is high in protein, rich in vitamins and minerals, and low in sodium, making it a versatile ingredient for new inspiring dishes.”

Superior Farms’ Pulled Lamb Shoulder is:

  • Proudly raised by American Ranchers
  • Produced from a boneless lamb shoulder (minus external fat)
  • Fully cooked—seasoned only with salt & pepper
  • 100% cook yield as product reheats in the bag and retains moisture
  • Halal Certified
  • Naturally raised & humanely harvested

“Consumers are looking to restaurants for new culinary experiences that are flavorful and delicious,” says Scritchfield. “Pulled lamb is perfect for this. It’s comfort food with that wow-factor, a terrific combination for traditional lamb lovers or millenials looking to try something brand new.

For more information about purchasing Superior Farms’ American Lamb products and Superior Farms’ Precooked  & Pulled Lamb Shoulder, contact Superior Farms’ customer service at 1-800-228-5262.

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Superior Farms, founded in 1964 with headquarters in Davis, California, is North America’s largest processor and marketer of lamb. The company is the recognized leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves, providing products and services to customers throughout the United States, Canada, and more than 10 countries. The company has approximately 400 employee-owners at its nationwide network of facilities and offices. Twitter: @eatlamb  An ESOP Company (Employee Stock Ownership Plan), Superior Farms is an employee-owned company whose members take pride in their individual roles and contributions to the company’s success.

Superior Farms Announces new Farmer’s Mark brand and Sets New Antibiotic Goals

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Superior Farms announced today the introduction of Farmer’s Mark American Lamb.  This new brand is sourced from lambs that are 100% free of antibiotics and added hormones.

The company has also set a goal of reaching antibiotic free status for at least 50% of all lambs purchased by 2020.  The company sources lambs from more than one thousand family farms and ranches across the United States and is dedicated to working with these farms to meet this new goal.

Currently, 25% of the lambs purchased by Superior Farms qualify as antibiotic free.  The company started the antibiotic program in 2006 and has seen incremental growth in the program since its inception.  This growth is due in large part to increase consumer demand for antibiotic free foods.  Superior Farms has worked with its producer community in order to increase the number of lambs that will qualify for the antibiotic free Farmer’s Mark brand.

Anders Hemphill, Vice President of Marketing and Brand Strategy said, “We’re excited to offer this new brand to our consumers who want to know more about how their food is produced and are looking for antibiotic free products to serve to their families.”

In order to qualify for the program lambs must not have received any antibiotics or ionophores which includes all human medically important antibiotics.    

Superior Farms is committed to the responsible use of antibiotics.  “If lambs fall sick, producers are responsible to properly care for the animal and to bring them back to health following their proactive herd health program,” said Lesa Eidman, Superior Farms Director of Producer Relations.  “If a lamb needs antibiotic treatment we encourage producers to treat them back to health, and to identify that lamb in order for it to be traced so that it doesn’t qualify for this program, and the withdrawal period is met.”

Superior Farms is proud to be an employee owned company working with American family farms to provide the best quality lamb to American consumers.