June 14th, 2021 – A massive chunk of the grass-fed beef sold in supermarkets, labeled "Product of U.S.A." may, in fact, be imported and not locally produced. Grass-fed beef is one of the most popular types of beef sold in American supermarkets, accounting for $480 million in sales over the course of 52 weeks ending in April 2021. It shows a 15% year-on-year growth, as compared to a mere 3% uptick in non-grass fed (according to the latest figures from Nielsen).
While local farms like Waseda Farms have been upping their production of grass-fed beef in the U.S, many supermarkets and restaurants feel that the only way to satisfy the appetite for beef is through imports.
Supermarkets and stores in the US demand lower prices to satisfy customer demand, this has resulted in several sourcing their “Grass-Fed Beef” from outside the USA.
Production costs in South American countries and Australia are lower than those in the US. This has been highlighted by the trend to import less expensive beef that is then processed in the US, enabling the supplier to label the beef “Product of the USA” and USDA certified.
To enable the beef to be labeled “Product of the USA” the beef simply needs to be processed into smaller pieces (steaks or roasts) or ground in the United States to be labeled “Product of the USA. Just like that, cows that spent their entire lives hundreds or thousands of miles away become an American bovine product.
American organic grass-fed farms supply grass-fed beef that is born, raised and processed in the USA. This means that the labeling of imported beef as “Product of the USA” is misleading and makes it difficult for American farmers to compete on price.
Waseda Farms produces USDA certified organic grass-fed beef and supplies families all over the USA through their online store shopwasedafarms.com. Here you can shop Wisconsin grass-fed beef that is organically and locally raised in Door County, Wisconsin.
The flood of grass-fed beef into the U.S. market from mainly South America isn't new. It's been this way for a long time, but as of late, it makes up 70 to 80% of the grass-fed beef sold in the U.S, according to a Stone Barns report.
U.S. consumers are often unaware that the beef they are consuming may have been imported, thanks to vague labeling policies. The current policy states that meat products can be imported from other countries, as long as, the meat is processed in the USA then it can be labeled as a product of the USA.
What's even more concerning, according to experts, is that the term "Grass Fed" isn't officially defined by the USDA. Any product that bears the word "Organic" needs to adhere to a certain set of rules, but that does not apply to grass-fed beef, which does not even require an on-farm inspection.
It also does not mandate those cattle freely roam the pastures as they do stateside, like at Waseda Farms. That's why it isn't surprising that cattle could be raised in feedlots, for their entire life before being slaughtered, according to Waseda Farms President Matt Lutsey.
About Waseda Farms Wisconsin.
USDA Certified organic farm which is locally owned and family-run by the Lutsey family.
Located in Baileys Harbor on Door County’s quiet side, the farm spans over 500 acres and has over 1000 acres of managed farmland. Producing organic grass-fed beef, organic pork, chicken & turkey.
You can buy grass-fed beef online 24/7 at https://shopwasedafarms.com or you can shop locally in Wisconsin at the farms two organic butcher shops.
Waseda Farms Market (Organic Meat Market) De Pere WI.
330 Reid St, De Pere, WI 54115. Phone: 920-632-7271
Open Mon-Friday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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The farm trails are open to the public all year round, you can walk the farm and visit the farm market store where a warm welcome awaits all visitors.
Waseda Farms & Country Market
7281 Logerquist Rd
Baileys Harbor, WI 54202
Every Day 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Phone: 920–839–2222