Co-op shoppers will find local pork products from Al’s Country Meat Locker of Calmar now stocked in our Meat case. Current varieties include smoked loin and spicy, rope and sliced sausage. This local partnership is one example of the Co-op’s commitment to local products and producers. As Oneota Co-op Organizational Ends 2 states: We support building thriving local food systems and encourage the expansion of locally-grown food sources.
We reached out to Al & Cathy Boeckenheuer recently to learn more about the quality pork offerings they’ve made available here at the Co-op, their business background and their family. Al speaks to Co-op shoppers here:
Al’s Country Meat Locker is a family-owned, small business in Calmar. I have always enjoyed processing and smoking meat. In 2007 my wife Cathy and I started a seasonal, state, custom-inspected meat processing business (fall to spring).
We process venison for local and out of state hunters as well as pork processing for local customers. We take pride in being able to provide local meat products to others. Over the past few years we have obtained federal inspection status for our business to sell our products to local stores as well as those out of our state. Our meat processing facility and the products we produce are gluten free. Individuals requiring a gluten free diet is something we are familiar with; we have family members with Celiac disease.
The pork used in our products at Oneota Community Co-op is produced by G.J.L. Farms of Waucoma, a swine production company that raises piglets produced by independent family farmers according to the standards set forth by G.J.L. Farms. These standards include piglets raised free of antibiotics and growth promotants. They are crate free, vegetarian-fed and must be of Duroc heritage.
Cathy and I have been lifelong residents of this area. Our family includes our son Charlie, his wife, Allison, and their three children who live in Shakopee, Minn.; and our daughter Allanda, her husband, Mike, and three children who live near us in rural Calmar. We are fortunate to have six wonderful grandchildren: Emaleigh (12), Cooper (12), Isabelle (10), Alexis (9), Avery (7), and Addison (5).
