In the beginning
In the early 1980's, a small number of idealistic, passionate folks were working to change the world by changing the way food was produced. The prior generation had seen the emergence of highly processed foods, and new terms had entered the lexicon- terms like "factory farms," "TV dinners," "junk food," and "fast food."
Indeed, farming had changed. Small family farms were consolidated. Production speed and volume increased. And there was increasing use of "advanced" techniques that involved antibiotics, hormones, pesticides and herbicides.
In the middle of all this was a handful of folks who believed that food should be produced in a way that was healthier for the land, the farmers, and all of us who eat the food.
These folks found different ways to bring their food to market. Some partnered with renowned restaurants to feature locally grown foods or with natural food stores. Most of it was small in production, regional in distribution.
Others found a way to make the venture a success by bringing natural foods to the mainstream, working with grocery distribution networks already in place. This is the path Laura's Lean Beef pursued, led by founder Laura Freeman.
Incorporated in 1985, Freeman established her niche as "the healthy beef." Twenty-two years later, Laura's Lean Beef Company is the most successful natural lean beef company in the country, with fresh beef in more than 5,800 grocery stores nationwide.
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