supermarket PERIMETER - May 2021 - 43

" The efficiencies didn't hold up, but our system did. Our ranchers
relied on us and we relied on them. That relationship, trust and
transparency is so important. "

Evolutions in case-ready, value-added, packaging

North Country Smokehouse
expands distribution
By Emily Park
Claremont, NH-based North Country
Smokehouse is expanding its distribution to the
West through new partnerships with KeHe,
Tony's Fine Foods, and Newport Meats, as well
as California-based retailers Gelson's Market and
Bristol Farms.
" Expanding our footprint to the West Coast
was a natural next step for us, " said Aaron
Corbett, chief executive officer of North
Country Smokehouse. " Consumers are looking
for humanely raised and organic meats and
they want to buy from brands that value social
responsibility. The West Coast leads the charge
when it comes to actively seeking out better-foryou foods. Not only do they eat humanely raised
and organic meat more frequently, but they also
search out transparent brands they know they
can trust. "

Panorama has changed its lineup of organic meats in recent years to
meet changing consumer demand, Cornelius said.
Those have included case-ready organic grass-fed meats and valueadded items. And this summer, Panorama is relaunching hot dog,
meatball and snack stick products that were rolled out previously. Also
rolling out soon: cutting-edge Vacuum Sealed Packaging (VSP) that will
be introduced on the West Coast before going nationwide.
One of the things that separates Panorama from the pack, Cornelius
said, is the company's commitment to sourcing meat that truly is
homegrown.
" The system is broken because the vast majority of grass-fed beef,
marketed as being from the US, is probably raised somewhere else, in
another country, and says product of USA because it was processed
here, " Cornelius said. " We trademarked 'Born and Raised in the USA'
because it is important for consumers to know and trust in that
transparency at Panorama Organic. "
Panorama is banking on the belief that grass-fed consumers are
interested in supporting the US ranchers and rural communities and in
improving the environment.
" I believe the buyer would like to think that buying grass-fed means it
is supporting that right here in the US, " Cornelius said.
Recent surveys have shown that 63% of shoppers would like an
environmental claim. That provides Panorama, Cornelius said, with an
amazing opportunity to tell its story to the consumer.
Not only is Panorama Organic USDA Organic Certified, GAP Step
4, Whole30 Approved and Paleo Certified, but the company just
announced that all of its 34 independent ranchers will be a part of the
National Audubon Society's Conservation Ranching initiative and more
than 1 million acres will be certified to preserve rangeland grasslands
and wildlife habitats - the largest partnership of its kind in the United
States, Cornelius said.

For three decades, North Country Smokehouse
exclusively focused on restaurant distribution
before entering the retail space five years ago.
In addition to new partnerships in the West,
North Country Smokehouse can be found
in most retailers along the East Coast like
Hannaford, Stop & Shop, Shaw's, Market Basket,
Big Y, Target, and more than 300 Whole Foods
Market locations.

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MAY 2021 - 43

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