15 Jun 2010 --- Cargill's U.S. beef business and Meyer Natural Foods have entered into a multi-year agreement which creates a joint "go-to-market" approach. This collaborative effort will focus on expanding sales of Meyer Natural Angus and Laura's Lean Beef to Cargill's retail and foodservice customers that wish to offer consumers natural and organic beef products. Products sold under the joint marketing arrangement will be produced for Meyer by Cargill at its Fort Morgan, Colo., processing facility.

”This arrangement will result in our customers having an expanded selection of high quality beef products which they can offer consumers," said John Keating, president of Cargill's U.S. beef business based in Wichita. "Consumers increasingly seek variety, quality and value in the beef they consume, and our collaboration with Meyer is a win-win for everyone. Meyer Natural Foods product will be more readily available to retailers, foodservice customers and consumers. Cargill will be able to help customers better meet the desire for prime and choice Angus beef from verified origins, raised in certified humane conditions using no antibiotics or hormones under the Meyer Natural Angus brand or lean, heart-healthy beef under the Laura's Lean Beef brand."

"We are delighted to partner with Cargill for this exciting new alliance because they have a long-standing, stellar reputation for producing the optimal product solutions for their many customers throughout the U.S. and around the world," stated Bill Rupp, president of Meyer Natural Foods. "Meyer's natural and organic beef offerings complement Cargill's expansive beef offerings, and we look forward to working closely with them to grow this business."

Terms of the agreement, which became effective in late May, were not disclosed. Cargill's U.S. meat business is headquartered in Wichita, Kan., and Meyer Natural Foods is headquartered in Loveland, Colo.