La Farge, WI "“ May 12, 2008 "“ Organic Prairie, the meat brand from America’s largest cooperative of organic family farmers, Organic Valley Family of Farms, today announced it has begun offering a variety of its products online, thereby extending its reach to organic meat lovers nationwide.

Individuals can visit www.organicprairie.coop and click on "Online Store" to order Organic Prairie meats by the case, frozen and/or at bulk discount. Made from Organic Prairie's humanely raised livestock, the organic beef, pork and poultry products typically can be shipped overnight to most parts of the country.

"As we continue to expand our presence throughout the nation at retail, we’re delighted to now provide access to our meats coast-to-coast with our online offerings," said Tedd Heilmann, Organic Prairie general manager. "Because they’re shipped by the case, these Organic Prairie meats are perfect for individuals who don’t have access to them at retail, like to keep large amounts of meat in supply and/or are planning for a good-sized gathering of friends and family for a grill out or other celebration."

Visitors to www.organicprairie.coop will find purchasing prompts next to the available products, which are hardwood smoked uncured bacon, hardwood smoked uncured half ham "“ boneless, 85 percent lean ground beef, pork breakfast sausage chub, ground chicken chub, ground turkey chub, Italian pork sausage, Italian chicken sausage, pork bratwurst, brown and serve pork links, uncured beef hot dogs, uncured hot dogs, uncured chicken hot dogs, boneless beef rib eye steak, beef New York strip steak, pork chops bone in, ground beef patties - 80 percent lean, boneless skinless chicken breast, and whole young chicken - large.

Organic Prairie follows a seven-step "safety net," a rigorous code of conduct that ensures their meat is as healthy and wholesome as possible. This includes testing all Organic Prairie meat for bacteria before it leaves their processing facilities.

The farmers who supply Organic Prairie were among the nation's first to produce meat without the use of antibiotics, synthetic hormones, or pesticides. They insisted on third-party organic meat certification long before federal organic standards were established and were the first in the industry to ban animal by-products from their cattle’s diet. They played a vital role in shaping federal organic meat certification standards - the strictest in the industry.

Organic Prairie Family of Farms: Independent and Farmer-Owned

Organic Prairie is the meat brand from America's largest cooperative of organic family farmers, Organic Valley Family of Farms. Famous for its award-winning organic dairy, juice, eggs, soy, and produce, the co-op began selling organic meats in 1996. Organic Prairie's aim is to provide families with the healthiest, most wholesome meat that is raised in accordance with organic principles and practices - respecting the dignity and interdependence of human, animal, plant, soil and global life. Organic Prairie offers fresh organic beef and pork, as well as a full line of frozen beef, pork, chicken and turkey items. Look for Organic Prairie's products in the distinctive black and gold packaging at leading supermarkets, natural food stores, cooperative groceries, restaurants and online at store.organicprairie.com. For further information, call 877-662-MEAT or visit www.organicprairie.coop and the cooperative's farmers’ website, www.farmers.coop.

Organic Valley

Organic Valley

Organic Valley: Independent and Farmer-Owned

Organic Valley is America’s largest cooperative of organic farmers and one of the nation’s leading organic brands. Organized in 1988, it represents 1,766 farmers in 35 states and three Canadian provinces, and achieved $715 million in 2011 sales. Focused on its founding mission of saving family farms through organic farming, Organic Valley produces a variety of organic foods, including organic milk, soy, cheese, butter, spreads, creams, eggs, produce and juice, which are sold in supermarkets, natural foods stores and food cooperatives nationwide. With its regional model, milk is produced, bottled and distributed right in the region where it is farmed to ensure fewer miles from farm to table and to support our local economies. The same farmers who produce for Organic Valley also produce a full range of delicious organic meat under the Organic Prairie label. For further information, call 1-888-444-MILK or visit www.organicvalley.coop, www.organicprairie.coop and the cooperative's farmer website, www.farmers.coop. Organic Valley is also on Twitter @Organic_Valley and Facebook www.facebook.com/OrganicValley.

More from Organic Valley