We’ve been answering a lot of questions lately about the security of our supply chain. Given tariffs, inflation, and high cattle prices, will we be able to source the animals we need to meet our customers needs? While there are many economic uncertainties, we’re grateful to be on pretty solid ground when it comes to securing our supply. That’s the advantage of working locally and fostering long-standing relationships with livestock producers.

It’s also the result of a lot of advance planning. Did you know that we are currently signing letters of agreement with our beef producers to secure all of the cattle we’ll purchase in 2026? It takes two years to raise a beef cow so producers need to know well in advance (typically at least a year) how many animals they should hold onto for us (vs. sell as yearlings). The bedrock of these commitments rests on a price that we agree is fair for our farmers, company and customers. Once we’ve settled on it, we set our pricing for extended periods of time, which is in sharp contrast to the weekly price changes larger distributors often make.

We want our customers to feel secure knowing that we’re thinking ahead, making the commitments necessary, and building a stable, local supply chain.