BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The meat label is prime real estate, and Belle Foods is about to take advantage of that space to get more information to customers. Starting April 10, the chain will be using a simple, but informative label that celebrates the fact that Belle Foods cuts and grinds its meat in-store. The new label reads “Professionally Cut By” with a space below for the meat cutter to sign his or her name. “It does two things: It lets the consumer know Joe or Bob, whoever is the meat cutter in the store cut that [product] and also … it gives that sense of pride to our meat cutters that it’s still a trade, and there’s a certain amount of craftsmanship in the art of cutting meat,” said Ken Jones, director of meat and seafood. “And it kind of sends that message to the consumer that they’re not buying pre-packed meat that was cut 200 miles away at some major processing facility. And if they want a special, if they want a 2-inch rib eye, if they want a roast, or if they’d like a prime rib boned out and the bones tied back on, that we can offer those types of services still in-store.”
The meat department setup varies by location, but most of Belle Foods’ stores have self-service meat cases. Some stores have full-service cases or cutting rooms with glass so the customers can see the associates at work, but the chain is doing more to make their meat staff visible to customers.
During peak hours, Jones said that Belle Foods wants to have a staff member or meat cutter move between the sales floor and the backroom. The staff member can give suggestions and advice on meat preparation — and will let customers know that someone is available for their questions. On April 10, the chain is also launching new pork and beef peel-back labels with suggested cooking times and temperatures, as well as a QR code that links to recipes on the Beef Checkoff or Pork Checkoff website.
It was important to Belle Foods that these labels be practical for their customers. “It’s been my experience that typically when you do the peel label inside, the recipes and stuff don’t necessarily help the consumer or don’t tie into the demographic in which you’re serving,” Jones said. Brad Nolan, category manager of meat and seafood, said he finds recipe labels are often for things “that I’ve never heard of.” “This [new initiative] would actually give all of our shoppers access to hundreds of recipes that most people would actually use. So any customer could find a recipe on anything that they might enjoy trying"
Signs in the meat department will also bear QR codes with links to information from the Beef Checkoff and Pork Checkoff program websites. For example, a customer could scan the QR code for “grilling” on the pork poster and get tips on grilling pork and the recommended pork cuts. Belle Foods developed these QR labels in partnership with the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, National Pork Board, National Beef, Seaboard Prairie Fresh Pork and Yerecic Label
I like that, wish they had a store close to me I would apply. nearest to me is 43 miles. Beat those cutter like being notice for a change. I heard those boys make good wages not to be union
I think this is a great ideal, a very good promotional tool for the company. now to my way of thinking this gives us a chance to better our cause by each of us here to past this ideal on to our meat supervisors and push for our companies to come up with something like it. each of you know what one company does, others will copy if it works. this could be a good opening to better our trade and pay check. So past it on to your supervisors or HR dept.
We actually tried something like this back when I was an apprentice (cutting brontosauruses). A lot of the cutters didn't like putting their name on their work (the sloppy ones) and resisted it. Quickly faded away. I did have the satisfaction of seeing a cutter I didn't like trying to justify one of his first cut grizzly top sirloin steaks he liked to throw in the bottom of a family pack, claiming they put the wrong name on the package. "It wasn't me I was framed," defense.
Here in Belgium we have a high profile international contest that promotes our butchers trade and meat industry. this past year in our European fresh food sector, nicknamed Euro Beef, in Kortrijk, Belgium, Q Guild butchers from the UK won around 70 Gold, Silver and Bronze awards. I have notice you americans don't have these kind of contest.
I like this, it at least sounds like they value the trade. What does Belle foods pay their journeymen? That would also be a good indicator.
Years back, my company tried something not too different. They took pictures of each cuttter and wanted to post above the case the photo of the cutter on duty manning the service window,but there was a lot of resistance and cutters filed grievances over the unauthorized use of their photos so the union stopped it. As to signing, our union policy was we signed nothing but our paycheck.
because of big box stores like walmart, that doesnt have cutters, it is wise for competing stores,,to advertise they do, and to promote them,, i've pushed for stores to profile there meatcutters in the flyers, some do,,
customers listen to advice of meatcutters,,and some arent easily approachable- so to personalize,,,the meatcutters to the consumer is a great idea..
Good meat cutters are a reflection of the store they work, Good ones want stay in a bad store or company. Seems like this is a good company to work with.
