To meet the growing demand for local foods in the Pacific Northwest, the Tyson Fresh Meats Inc. Pasco, Wash., facility is now harvesting Open Prairie Natural Angus beef - within 60 miles of where the cattle are raised. The Pasco plant joins a Tyson facility in Lexington, Neb., as an Open Prairie Natural Angus beef processor.

With the Pasco facility adding Open Prairie Natural Angus beef to its processing line-up, Tyson has significantly increased production of this natural beef brand. According to Kent Harrison, vice president, marketing and premium programs, “Increasing the supply of Open Prairie Natural Angus beef will help us meet the growing demand for premium quality natural beef that has had no hormones administered and no antibiotics added. We are especially pleased to produce beef so close to where it’s sourced. Keeping things local reduces transportation, minimalizes animal stress, and helps produce high-quality beef, naturally.”

The Open Prairie Natural Angus beef program comprises approximately 50 ranchers, many based in the Columbia Basin region, who feed their cattle a 100% vegetarian diet with no animal by-products. They also do not administer any antibiotics or add any hormones to their cattle.

Source: Tyson Fresh Meats Inc.