CUB FINDS COLORADO SHOPPERS OUT FOR BUFFALO

Amy I. Stickel

DENVER -- Buffalo meat products recently introduced at Cub Foods Stores in Colorado have been selling well, the company says.

Fred Ryckert, meat and seafood merchandiser for Cub's Colorado division, said initial reaction to the buffalo products has been good.

Ryckert said the chain is still experimenting with the meat and will carry it through the holidays to see if sales remain strong.

Very few stores carry a full line of buffalo products, he explained. "It's somewhat experimental," he said.

The buffalo franks, ground buffalo and prime middle cuts completely sold through during their first week in the stores, according to George Francisco, vice president of sales for the Denver Buffalo Co. here, which is supplying the buffalo meat. "We're very pleased," he said.

All eight Cub Foods Stores in the chain's Colorado division have been selling the buffalo meat, which is available fresh, frozen or processed, since early August. Denver Buffalo Co. is also supplying Cub Foods Stores with Buffalo Will's Western Brand smoked sausage and deli goods.

Francisco said Cub Foods Stores in different areas of the country, including stores in Minneapolis, have expressed an interest in the buffalo products. He said selling buffalo meat in the Midwest and the East will probably be more of a challenge, since those consumers are less familiar with buffalo products.

According to the Denver Buffalo Co., buffalo meat is higher in protein and lower in fat, cholesterol and calories than beef.