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“Local” to Who? And Other Questions You Should Be Asking About Your Organic Beef

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organic beef, cattle on Rocker 3 Ranch

The term “organic beef” might seem strange at first. How can beef be organic? But when you start digging into where your food comes from, it’s obvious you should be asking more questions than “how much is this per pound?” We’ve detailed some questions that you should always ask about your organic beef. 

Why asking questions about your organic beef is the way to go 

Take a quick mental inventory of your freezer right now. Can you honestly say you know where your meat comes from, how it was processed, or what the animal’s life was like? If you answered no, you’re not alone. According to Alliance for Science, “48 percent of Americans say they never or rarely seek information about where their food was grown or how it was produced.”

Questioning your food means you “bridge the gap between farm and fork” and that you take an active role in health and sustainability. Questioning also keeps food companies accountable and ultimately will change labels and processes in the future. 

What do you mean by “local”? 

The first question to ask of organic beef is what the company means when they say “local.” Many labels say “ranch-raised” or “local farm,” but local to who? For example, there are organic ranches in Australia touting their product as local in the stores, but unless you live there it can’t possibly be. The company should say what particular ranch, in what state, and even in what country. At Oreganic™, our beef is local if you’re in Central Oregon, but we don’t use the term on our site because we’re shipping to consumers all across the West Coast. 

How did the animal live its life?

When bridging the farm to fork gap, you should question the animal welfare of the farm. Just by opening this conversation, you can be more informed about and involved in your food. Start by asking: “How do the animals graze? How much time do they spend indoors and outdoors?” Do they spend time in a feedlot? If so, how much? How are the animals handled? And how are sickness and disease prevented and/or treated? 

The Rocker 3 Ranch animals of Oreganic™ are 100% grass-fed and finished, are free to roam our organic pastures, and are raised as humanely and naturally as possible. As a consumer, this means the beef you’re getting with us tastes better, has increased health benefits (like less total fat), and comes from a ranch that genuinely cares. 

What is the quality assurance process? 

True quality assurance is present in everything from production to processing. For organic beef, there should be a quality assurance process from birth to harvesting. When purchasing a product, the company should disclose things like sanitation, food traceability, presence of hormones or pesticides, and certifications. Truly transparent ranches and farms should offer the answers to these questions upfront.  

For Oreganic™, our quality assurances come in the form of our USDA certification and third-party verifications (via ICS and IMI Global). We undergo one yearly audit minimum, with random spot audits as the agencies see fit. Whereas other food providers can make any claim on their food label––such as organic, anti-hormone, non-GMO––we have the verification and paperwork to prove it. Giving you the peace of mind that our beef is truly what we say it is. 

Take ownership of your food 

It takes a little extra effort, but questioning your food pays off in the long run. It not only leads to healthier, more sustainable food options, but it also gives you a greater understanding and appreciation for what you consume. At Oreganic, we’re all about appreciating the process. 

Traceability & Transparency: the Pillars of Oreganic™ Beef’s Business

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traceability, animals at Rocker 3 Ranch

At Oreganic Beef Company™, we believe in producing quality, sustainable beef with integrity. The commercial food industry is a lot of smoke and mirrors. We like to rise above with full traceability and transparency. 

Beef traceability

Food traceability is a hot topic for a reason. It refers to the ability to track the food supply chain. This includes the raw materials used, certifications achieved, processes, and control systems. Traceability boils down to providing consumers knowledge about what they’re eating and where it came from. In other words, the entire process from A to Z. For Oreganic™, our beef traceability means the following: 

Animal welfare

We’re committed to our animals. Not only because we genuinely believe that stress-free cattle produce better tasting meat. But because we know that these animals deserve to be well-treated and well-fed. For any cut of meat you choose, we could tell you everything about the animal. Where it was born, where and what it grazed, and even who its mother was. Part of our humane treatment includes our animals grazing the thousands of acres of organic grasses at Rocker 3 Ranch. 

Processing 

Traceability doesn’t stop once the animals leave the ranch. That’s why we have a long-term partnership with Mark’s Meat Co. in Canby, OR. They are one of seven butcher shops in Oregon that are certified organic and inspected by the USDA. In keeping with our standards, the shop is also Animal Welfare approved and GAP certified. 

Packaging and shipping

Every time you order with Oreganic™, we vacuum pack and quick-freeze the product. We also guarantee delivery within 72 hours of the shipment date. Currently, all of our shipments go out on Tuesdays. As of now, we’re shipping to California, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado. 

 

Tracking your food origins—from the animal’s upbringing to the type of processing and packaging it went through—means you truly know what you’re eating. Plus, traceable processes and informed consumption ultimately lead to healthier eating habits. When everyone’s accountable, everyone wins.  

Company transparency 

The food transparency movement is something we take very seriously at Oreganic™. It helps consumers rest easy knowing that the food they’re purchasing is safe, traceable, and focused on sustainability and animal welfare. We address this in the following ways: 

GAP4 certified 

Global Animal Partnership (GAP) Step-4 Rating refers to what conditions we raise our animals under. To meet this certification, third-party farm audits verify and ensure our animals graze in open pastures and are never in feedlots. On top of receiving proper handling, feed, water, and care throughout their lives. This certification lets our consumers know that we raise our animals in humane conditions and as naturally as possible.

USDA certified organic 

To be USDA certified organic, we have to keep up with rigorous standards from birth to harvest. Including that the “animals are raised without the use of antibiotics, added hormones, or animal by-products.” Taking great care of the animals and providing them with stress-free lives is a family value that stemmed long before the USDA organic protocols. And something we pass down through each generation. They are free to roam, feed on organic grasses, and live as naturally as possible. 

Family owned and operated 

Beef is our business. And the Rocker 3 Ranch is our legacy. As a family-owned business, we believe in being fully transparent as individuals and as a company. We strive to be upfront about the extra costs and time it takes to raise 100% grass-fed, USDA certified organic beef. You can even schedule a tour by appointment to see for yourself. 

Trust Oreganic™ 

Purchasing from Oreganic™ means that you’re getting the guarantee of healthier, more sustainable beef. Our commitment to total traceability and transparency extends from our ranch to your table. By choosing Oreganic™ Beef, you are encouraging the change to a healthier, happier lifestyle for animals across America.

Grass-Fed and Finished Organic Beef Startup, Oreganic Beef Company, Delivers to Your Doorstep from Family-Owned Ranch in Madras, OR

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oreganic beef company, little boy and dog near cows

Oreganic Beef Company, which raises fully traceable organic beef from the Rocker 3 Ranch in Madras, Oregon, is announcing the debut of their direct-to-consumer beef delivery. 

Third-generation rancher Darrell Ceciliani first launched Oreganic Beef in 2019. The company stands on the premise that traceability is a fundamental right for today’s consumers.  The family-owned ranch is one of Central Oregon’s only third-party verified, 100% grass-fed and finished, GAP4-certified, and USDA certified organic operations. 

Direct-to-consumer beef was the Ceciliani family’s dream for over 30 years. After time spent in the commercial food industry, they wanted to pursue a process that would ultimately ensure better health for their cattle and customers. Oreganic Beef is a fully traceable product backed by third-party certifications that audit the ranch annually for quality. The end results are animals that lead happier lives and better-tasting meat that contains more essential nutrients. From the animal’s birth and humane raising to their dry-aging process and equally certified processing facility, Oreganic ensures quality control at every stage. 

Each order is securely vacuum-packed and individually quick frozen to seal in freshness. Then it’s shipped directly to consumer’s doors. As of 2020, the company ships exclusively to Oregon, California, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado to maintain the highest quality product. 

About Oreganic Beef Company: 

Darrell Ceciliani Jr. launched Oreganic Beef Company in 2019 with his three sons and a passion for organic ranching and land stewardship. The Ceciliani’s are third and fourth generation ranchers and have an appreciation for animal welfare, sustainable ranching, and traceable products. Oreganic Beef Company is the result of 30 years of planning, building partnerships in the community, and becoming third-party verified to deliver beef consumers can trust.