Big niche grocery chain partners with ranch to sell Florida-raised beef

Jul 11, 2016, 4:30pm EDT

Anjali FlukerAssociate Managing EditorOrlando Business Journal

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Whole Foods Market Inc. announced it now is selling beef from a Fort Pierce cattle ranch in its Sunshine State stores.

The Austin, Texas-based niche grocery store chain (NYSE: WFM), which has three Central Florida stores and one more in the works, said the agreement with Adams Ranch — where its cattle roam on “acres of verdant pastures” in Osceola, St. Lucie, Madison and Okeechobee counties — will allow for less transportation time than out-of-state options and offer beef at the peak of freshness.

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Whole Foods Market now sells Florida-raised beef in stores throughout the Sunshine State.

“We’re thrilled to offer customers a local option in our meat department with the freshest cuts of beef straight from our own backyard,” said Jim McLallen, Whole Foods Market’s Florida regional meat coordinator, in a prepared statement. “Adams Ranch is a reputable, trusted ranch in Florida and completely aligns with our commitment to the highest-quality meat and animal welfare, not to mention the best tasting beef.”

Added Adams Ranch President Mike Adams: “Working with Whole Foods Market has proven to be a great partnership. We share the same philosophies on how cattle should be raised and it’s important for customers to know our cattle’s history and where their beef comes from.”

Whole Foods has stores in southwest Orlando, Winter Park, Altamonte Springs and a fourth in the works also in Winter Park.