Moscow Food Co-op Producer Profile

by Vicki Reich, from the January 2004 newsletter

Why am I always surprised when a new year comes around? It always seems impossible that another year has gone by so quickly. Where does the time go? I realized today that this new year will be my ninth year at the Co-op. It seems like just yesterday I knew nothing about the Natural Foods industry and now I’m considered one of the old guard. I’ve learned a great deal during those years and one of the most important lessons is that things change and you have to be prepared to cope with those changes when they happen.

The lesson hit home just recently when Scott Meyer of BCR Beef told us that he was going out of business starting immediately. I, of course, panicked (this is an excellent coping skill I’ve developed over the years). What were we going to do? Where was I going to find “clean” local beef? Could I get it in the store fast enough? I loved knowing that the beef I was eating came from just over on Paradise Ridge. I didn’t want any other kind. It couldn’t be true (denial is also a well-honed coping skill of mine). I lived in denial for a day or two and then I got myself back together and called the one person I thought could help, Pam Clevenger at the Good Food Store in Missoula. The Good Food Store has very high standards for their meat department and they are relatively close to us. I thought if anyone would have leads on clean regional beef it would be Pam (besides I am always looking for an excuse to call and chat). I was correct in my assumption and she put me in touch with two regional suppliers.

The first person I contacted was Glenn Elzinga at Alderspring Ranch in Tendoy, Idaho. I immediately liked him and was very impressed with his ranch. Alderspring is a family-owned and operated ranch. The cattle are fed only on pasture. They are never finished on grain; this raises the levels of omega-3 fatty acids and CLA. They are as close to organic as you can get (and are working toward certification). Most importantly, Pam assured me the beef tastes amazing. Glenn is coming to Moscow sometime during the first week of January to bring our first order and sample his product and talk about his ranch. You can find out more on his website <www.alderspring.com>.

The second person I contacted was Will at Montana Natural Beef. This is a cooperative of family ranches in the Mission Valley of Montana. The beef is raised without hormones and antibiotics and with respect for the land it is raised on. The beef is finished on grain in a small feedlot. I liked what Will had to say about his company and I decided to carry their beef as well (to learn more about them check out <www.montananaturalbeef.com>). The beef is less expensive than the Alderspring beef and not quite as high a quality, but I wanted to offer a choice to our customers.

I look forward to trying what both of these ranches have to offer. The selection will be a bit smaller than it was with BCR but I will make sure all your favorite cuts are stocked. However, please be patient as I work out the bugs of ordering beef from a greater distance than down the road.

Once again I have learned my lesson. Change happens and there’s nothing I can do to stop it. The only thing to do is to remain calm and know that things always work out in the end.

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