Nowadays, there are words that we hear so often that we don’t really pay attention to them. One of these is the word “natural”. “Natural” foods are so prevalent that sometimes they don’t seem special anymore. In the Central Ozarks of Missouri, though, a small cooperative raises its cows on small family farms the old-fashioned way.
Missouri’s Best Beef Cooperative raises truly all natural beef with absolutely no hormones-ever, no antibiotics-ever, and a diet of natural corn, soybeans and minerals. All their animals are cared for as the living, feeling beings they truly are. Every single package of beef which is processed by Missouri’s Best Beef can be tracked to the exact farm and mama from which it came.
Although most grocery meat cases are full of packages marked “natural”, Missouri’s Best Beef can guarantee that every single animal has been raised in a completely natural way from conception to the grocery case.
Cows are bred naturally with bulls, the calves are raised naturally on grass, and the animals are treated so humanely that small shelters are even provided for the cows.
The herds that comprise Missouri’s Best Beef Cooperative range in size from 6 cows to 250 cows. Members are diverse- a doctor of veterinary medicine, a railroad worker, and one member spent many years as a missionary in Africa.
It is surprising to note that this cooperative is actually the only one of its kind in the country which provides this entire program of single ownership, single source and single responsibility from the birth of the calf to the consumer’s shopping bag. Beef is hung and aged properly and processed at the approved facility of one of the co-op members. The result is tender and tasty beef that’s entirely natural.
Recently, Missouri’s Best Beef Cooperative joined forces with Sappington International Farmers Market to bring its beef to St. Louis. Members Ron (President and COO) and Jane McNear, Allen and Abigail Chisom, Roger and Carolyn Schrock, Dennis Roberts, Eldon and Vallie Hoerning, Dr. David Richie, James Etter and David Bell are among those providing safe, tender and tasty beef.
From time to time, members of the cooperative will come to Sappington Market to give taste samples of their beef and provide consumers a chance to meet them. This will prove to be an enriching experience for both consumers and ranchers.