Harris Teeter Meets Requirements of USDA Certified Very Tender Program

Harris Teeter now offers U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Certified Very Tender beef. Harris Teeter began labeling its Reserve Angus beef brand with the USDA Certified Very Tender label in its stores April 23, 2014. “Harris Teeter’s meat merchandising team has always been committed to offering its customers the best quality products available, as well as helping shoppers better understand the items sold in its Butchers Market,” said Danna Jones, communication specialist for Harris Teeter. “We are going above and beyond the norm to give our shoppers another measure of confidence they deserve when purchasing quality beef products” said Jones. “Our hope is that this label will help to eliminate confusion at the meat case.” The Company believes that the USDA Certified Very Tender program will serve as a useful tool for consumers for whom tenderness is a necessary contributor to their beef purchase. “We are excited to share the certification with our customers to highlight the natural tenderness of Harris Teeter Reserve Angus Beef,” added Jones. Cargill Meat Solutions, Harris Teeter’s supplier of its private label Reserve Angus Beef, will provide Harris Teeter with the cuts eligible for certification. These cuts include Ribeye, Striploin, Shortloin, Tenderloin and Top Blade. “Tenderness claims have been around for quite some time but with that claim being certified by the USDA, consumers can trust that it’s the truth,” said Glen Dolezal, assistant vice president of business development and communication for Cargill Meat Solutions. “Under this program, our processes and standards pass several audits; including tenderness shear-force testing that meets the strict USDA Certified Very Tender standards.” Harris Teeter is currently training its meat market associates on the USDA Certified Very Tender program and looks forward to better serving its customers at the meat counter through the launch of this program.