Beef + Lamb New Zealand Launches Food Truck Sampling Tour in LA
Beef + Lamb New Zealand, an industry organization representing and supporting New Zealand’s beef and sheep farmers, is launching a food truck sampling tour, in partnership with Atkins Ranch grass-fed lamb and First Light Farms 100% grass-fed Wagyu beef, to bring a taste of New Zealand to Los Angeles-area residents.
From Oct. 27 to Nov. 22, Angelenos can experience the New Zealand grass-fed difference with mouth-watering menu creations from Los Angeles chef Alvin Cailan, host of The Burger Show and the legendary talent behind the Eggslut concept and Amboy Quality Meats & Delicious Burgers.
The food truck sampling tour will enable consumers throughout Los Angeles to try grass-fed beef and lamb from New Zealand and discover what makes it so delicious. Grass-fed year-round, the animals are allowed to roam and graze freely over lush green hills and pastures, just as nature intended. The result is a tender, finely textured and more flavorful meat than anything else you’ll find, with nutritional benefits that are second to none.
“New Zealand animals are sustainably and humanely raised on lush green pastures 365 days a year, resulting in some of the world’s best, most natural-tasting beef and lamb,” said Michael Wan, global manager, Beef + Lamb New Zealand. “We’re excited for Angelenos to discover the taste of New Zealand grass-fed through the delicious menu creations developed by Chef Alvin, which highlight his culinary expertise and passion as well as his love for New Zealand beef and lamb.”
Hand-crafted with Chef Alvin’s personal style, the food truck sampling menu includes perfectly crafted small bites rich with flavor that use only the most premium and highly nutritious grass-fed beef and lamb options, including:
- Picanha sandwich with beef jus dip and giardiniera, made with First Light Farms 100% grass-fed Wagyu beef that is sweet, nutty, juicy, and tender.
- Lamb chorizo tostada with bean puree, queso and serrano crema, featuring Atkins Ranch 100% grass-fed lamb that is humanely raised, naturally flavorful, and deliciously versatile.
“I really enjoyed cooking with New Zealand grass-fed wagyu beef and lamb and trying the products in a variety of recipes,” said Chef Alvin Cailan. “I was able to get creative and incorporate some of my favorite ingredients, while still allowing the delicious, natural flavor of the grass-fed meat to shine through.”
Free samples of the picanha sandwich and lamb tostada will be available to consumers who visit the Beef + Lamb New Zealand food truck at its stops throughout Los Angeles. The stops include The Brig on Abbott Kinney in Venice, Grand Central Market in DTLA and The Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena. Select sampling locations include:
- The Brig: Saturday, Oct. 29 – Sunday, Oct. 30
- Santa Monica Farmers Market: Saturday, Nov. 5
- Canter’s Fairfax: Sunday, Nov.6
- UCLA Football Fan Zone at the Rose Bowl: Saturday, Nov.12
- Rose Bowl Flea Market: Sunday, Nov.13
- Hotel Erwin: Saturday, Nov.19
- Grand Central Market: Sunday, Nov.20
Atkins Ranch 100% grass-fed lamb is available at Whole Foods Market and First Light Farms 100% grass-fed Wagyu beef is available at Lazy Acres, Ralphs, Bristol Farms and online at firstlight.farm.
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Farmland Bacon Helps Luke Bryan Kick Off Tour
Luke Bryan’s country music and Farmland bacon– what’s not to like? Luke Bryan discovered a new, tasty way to help kick off his 2022 Farm Tour!
The country music star was surprised at his second tour stop in Mechanicsburg, Ohio, with a fun way to celebrate … a bacon-themed bar where everything served – from cocktails to snacks – was brimming full of Farmland bacon.
With eccentric drink options like Farmland Bacon-Infused Bourbon Manhattans and Farmland Bacon-Popcorn Bourbon Sours, made with the singer’s Two Lane Beer, it’s fair to say Luke Bryan was intrigued by the savory display. The bar even offered an array of delicious bacon-themed snacks ready to curb any pre-show appetite, including Bacon Swizzle Sticks, Bacon-Wrapped Hush Puppies, and Bacon On-The-Ranch Pinwheels.
As an official partner of Luke Bryan’s Farm Tour, Farmland presented its Bacon Bar to commemorate the annual concert series that gives back by awarding college scholarships to students from farming families who are attending a local college or university near the tour stops. To date, more than 60 scholarships have been granted.
In the brand’s continued efforts to support agriculture and farming communities, Farmland is proud to launch year two of its Honoring the Heartland Tour and be an official partner of country superstar Luke Bryan’s Farm Tour for a second consecutive year.
Throughout the 12-week mission, Farmland has been making two or three trips per week across the Midwest to deliver grab-n-go meals to those working in the agriculture industry, farming communities, and grocery/retail, and provide monetary donations to support the next generation of farmers.
To further invest in the future of the agricultural industry, Farmland is also excited to introduce its Farmland FFA Heartland Grant Program, which will be providing $20,000 in financial support to eligible members of the FFA to improve students’ work experience and to help with their development in the agriculture industry.
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Walmart Invests in Sustainable Beef to Give Affordable Options for Shoppers
Walmart has signed an agreement to acquire a minority stake in Sustainable Beef LLC, a rancher-owned company based in North Platte, Neb. Walmart’s equity investment is part of a broader strategic partnership to source top-quality angus beef from Sustainable Beef LLC’s new beef processing facility. This partnership helps supplement the current beef industry and provides additional opportunities for ranchers to increase their business. As part of the investment, Walmart will also have representation on Sustainable Beef’s board.
Walmart’s investment will help Sustainable Beef LLC open its beef processing facility in North Platte. The facility is expected to break ground next month and open by late 2024, creating more than 800 new jobs. Walmart’s work with Sustainable Beef LLC will create more capacity for the beef industry.
“At Walmart, we are dedicated to providing high-quality, affordable beef to our customers, and an investment in Sustainable Beef LLC will give us even more access to these products,” said Tyler Lehr, senior vice president of merchandising for deli services, meat and seafood, Walmart U.S. “We know Sustainable Beef LLC has a responsible approach to beef processing, one that includes creating long-term growth for cattle ranchers and family farmers. This investment provides greater visibility into the beef supply chain and complements Walmart’s regeneration commitment to improve grazing management.”
The beef company will work with cattle feeders and ranchers to understand critical elements of the supply chain cycle, such as grain sourcing and grazing management. Animal care will follow the Five Freedoms, and there will be a consistent approach to antibiotic use and reporting across herds in line with Walmart’s Position on Antibiotics in Animals, which asks suppliers to adopt and implement American Veterinary Medical Association Judicious Use Principles of Antimicrobials. All of these components will help Sustainable Beef LLC to improve and refine the beef supply chain to provide quality beef for our customers.
“We set out on a journey two years ago to create a new beef processing plant to add some capacity to the industry and provide an opportunity for producers to integrate their business of raising quality cattle with the beef processing portion of the industry and do it in a sustainable manner,” said David Briggs, CEO of Sustainable Beef LLC. “During this journey we found that Sustainable Beef and Walmart aligned on continuing to improve how we care for our animals and crops and provide consumers the positive experience of enjoying quality beef.”
Walmart’s investment is the latest step in the retailer’s commitment to increasing access to high-quality beef at an affordable price for its customers, while boosting capacity for the beef industry and ensuring long-term economic viability for cattle ranchers.
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