About Northeast Iowa Specialty Meats

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About Northeast Iowa Specialty Meats

Northeast Iowa Specialty Meats is a consortium of like-minded family farmers who have banded together to promote and sell their natural and organic food products.

You might have heard of us through the articles we have been featured in: an article by the Waterloo Courier titled: Northeast Iowa Specialty Meats Markets Organic Meat Locally and the Telegraph Herald article titled: Farmers See Net Gains.

Selling directly to consumers allows us to capture a profit without going through a packing plant, which juggles animal prices and dilutes profits going back to the farm. The recent meltdown of the hog industry proves this point. With live hog prices at record lows (as low as $.08 per pound!) grocery store meat counter prices remained basically the same.

As organic/natural meat producers, we do not accelerate animal growth with synthetic hormones, or feed any antibiotics or animal byproducts. We are concerned, like a growing number of people, that over use of antibiotics is increasing the ineffectiveness of drugs in fighting disease. We feel the use of growth hormones and animal byproducts in the food chain is increasingly harmful to mankind. Our goal is to produce food products that are the very best tasting in the purest form.

One member of our group is Phil Hueneke of Gateway Natural Meats. Phil Hueneke has farmed 280 acres without chemicals near Bellevue, IA. since 1980. In1985, Phil established Gateway Natural Meats in order to market the meat he raised on their farm. Gateway Natural Meats produces their own beef, chicken, and pork without using any antibiotics, hormones or chemical feed additives. By working with nature and using an ecological fertilizer and crop rotation, they are able to eliminate the use of chemicals on their land. Their homegrown feed is balanced with all natural vitamins, trace minerals and enzymes. The animals are humanely raised in small groups to reduce stress. They use open lots with shelter from the weather.

The Huenekes raise purebred Shorthorns, which is a breed of cattle noted for their meat quality. The meat is more flavorful and nutritious. There is less shrinkage during cooking, as well as less fat. The meat is sold by packaged pound units or by the quarter.

A nutritional consultant has tested their meat on several individuals who have had a history of allergic reactions to meat. After eating Gateway Natural Meat products, none of these people experienced allergic reactions.

All animals are delivered and slaughtered within a short period of time. Gateway Natural Meats uses one state inspected slaughter plant in Andrew, IA. They also use a federally inspected plant, Freedom Sausage, in Earlville, Ill.

Business has grown steadily to help supply a market territory, which extends from Chicago, Ill. to Ames, IA. and includes health food stores and many individuals. They also have retail accounts in California, Michigan and Florida.

Five years ago with the help of a SARE Grant, Phil joined a group of natural and organic farmers to produce a video, which shows the usage of ecological fertilizers and crop rotation throughout an entire season. This group also speaks to youth groups, arranges farm tours, and attends rural life conferences. Phil’s message is simple but powerful: Healthy soil + Healthy plants and animals = Healthy people!

Phil received the Iowa Sierra Club “Steward of the Land Award” in 1992. He was also a member of the 1994/95 “Who’s Who Registry of Business Leaders.” He is actively involved in farm tours, community supported agriculture, public speaking and consulting on the subject of organic farming and niche marketing.

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