1999 News Archive
NEW “SEASON” FOR BEEF
CHICAGO (October 28, 1999) – A new partnership – between beef producers and one of the nation’s leading seasoning companies – is sure to add “flavor” to beef industry product development initiatives. The partnership announced here today is between the beef industry New Product Development Team (R&D Ranchä) and Heller Seasonings & Ingredients, Inc., of Chicago, Ill.
For many years, beef producers have used their checkoff dollars as a catalyst in new product development. This new partnership, however, will help the beef industry gain exciting new flavor profiles for new product concepts -- Rotiss-A-Roastä Beef, a beef roast prepared in the supermarket deli and a variety of new “home roasts” (roasts which are pre-seasoned, pre-marinated and pre-packaged) -- developed at R&D Ranch. In exchange for these flavor profiles, the beef industry will use Heller products in its new product specifications.
The R&D Ranch team’s objective is to align with a company that has an established track record as a top supplier to the meat processing industry. Heller answered the call to offer unique research and development capabilities that will enhance beef industry new product development efforts.
“Each specific flavor formulation will belong to Heller, since it will develop the profiles. This partnership, however, will help the beef industry develop some great-tasting flavor profiles
for our rotisserie beef and marinated home roast that will excite and grab the attention of retailers and consumers. Heller has clearly met the challenge,” said Carl Blackwell, executive director, new product development, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). Checkoff-funded new product development programs are managed by NCBA.
Heller is joining in this venture as a partner, not as a client. “Consumers want the comfort of traditional foods but with more flavor choices and less preparation time,” said Sandi Balco, director, sales and business development with Heller Seasonings, which has been producing custom seasoning blends for food processors since 1893. “Heller met the taste challenge for Rotiss-A-Roast by creating exceptional custom seasoning blends that provide home-cooked flavor to go with the convenience of this innovative new beef product.”
This partnership will ensure that Heller continues to bolster the development of value-added beef products by providing quality flavoring and seasonings. According to Blackwell, the objective is to have top meat processors and manufacturers adopt new product concepts with successful flavorings including rubs, seasonings and marinades and bring creative and convenient new beef products to the marketplace.
“By packaging beef and spice together in the processing phase, consumers are getting more value-added beef products,” said Blackwell. “This is part of the beef industry core strategy of building consumer demand by making beef a more convenient meal solution.”
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New product development programs are funded by the national beef checkoff, which is administered by the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board. This 111-member board is appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture to oversee the collection of the $1-per-head checkoff, certify state beef councils, implement the provisions of the Federal Order establishing the checkoff and evaluate the effectiveness of checkoff programs.
This beef checkoff-funded effort is conducted by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a trade association of America’s cattle ranchers and farmers, and the marketing organization for the largest segment of the nation’s food and fiber industry. NCBA is producer-directed but consumer-focused, with offices in Denver, Chicago and Washington, D.C.