Bismarck Tribune
05-27-06
Where's the beef (from)?
By ZACHARY FRANZ
Bismarck Tribune
For most of the food Americans eat, it's a long trip from field to fork - an average
of 1,500 miles, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.
Burleigh County ranchers Alvin and Juanita Braun are out to bring that average
down.
The couple is opening a store in Bismarck that will sell only beef born, raised and
processed in North Dakota. The store, ND Branded Beef, is set to open June 8 at
3120 E. Broadway.
In the beginning, at least, all the beef will come from the Brauns' own ranch, a
few miles east of Bismarck. Later, they hope to offer a variety of meat products
from other local producers, said Juanita Braun. They also will offer an assortment
of other North Dakota items including jam, dairy products and baked goods.
In an era of globalization, many people are trying to buy products that come from
closer to home. A survey by Iowa State University found that 70 percent of
consumers were willing to pay more for locally grown food.
Many people are choosing food produced locally because they believe the quality
is superior and for the peace of mind that comes with knowing where the food
came from, said Sara Wagner of Pride of Dakota, a Department of Agriculture
program that encourages the sale of North Dakota products.
They also like to keep their money in the community instead of sending it out of
state, she said.
That desire is not lost on business owners. Pride of Dakota membership, which
requires stores to sell products produced, processed or manufactured in the
state, includes 410 businesses.
The phenomenon has other benefits, too, according to the nonprofit organization
FoodRoute Network. Buying local food cuts down on oil use by elimating
hundreds of miles of transportation. Additionally, it puts more money in the hands
of farmers by eliminating middlemen.
The Brauns have heard those sentiments, too.
"A lot of customers in North Dakota and nationwide are saying, 'I want to know
where my beef comes from' - specially with the mad cow scare," Juanita Braun
said.
"I think it's awesome that we have the option to have fruit all year - things from all
over the world," she said. "But in the same breath, we have no control over what
goes into that food, how it is raised."
Buying local won't mean sacrificing taste, though.
ND Branded Beef's focus is on high-quality meat. The grain-fed cattle will be
slaughtered at a small facility in Harvey. The meat will be dry hung in what
Juanita Braun calls "the old-fashioned way"to enhance the flavor. The cuts will
then be frozen and delivered to the store.
"We do a lot of things really well in North Dakota,"Juanita Braun said. "Eventually
people realize bigger isn't always better."
The store also will offer less-common products such as tongue and heart, and
can accommodate custom orders.
Prices should be near or slightly above meat prices in other local stores, Juanita
Braun said.
The timing of the store's opening - just before Father's Day and at the beginning
of the grilling season - is no accident.
"Dads like good steaks,"Juanita Braun said.
(Reach reporter Zach Franz at 250-8261 or e-mail
zach.franz@;bismarcktribune.com)