Calgary Co-op Commits to Supporting Sustainable Beef Production in Canada With Launch of Only Alberta Black Angus Beef Brand Featuring CRSB Certification Mark
September 1, 2022 – CALGARY – Calgary Co-op is committing to sustainable beef production in Canada with the launch of its new Only Alberta Black Angus Beef brand featuring the CRSB Certified Mass Balance Beef Sustainability logo. This new product line supports Calgary Co-op’s mission to provide exceptional products and services that sustain and grow their business and communities.
In 2018, Calgary Co-op launched its Only Alberta Beef brand, with a commitment to only carry locally raised, fresh Alberta Beef. The Only Alberta Beef brand has been embraced by consumers, and this transformation to Only Alberta Black Angus Beef with a sustainability element elevates the current product offering. Black Angus beef is one of the most recognized beef brands in the world, associated with premium quality, tender and flavourful cuts. This change will provide a unique, quality product for Calgary Co-op members.
“This move to Only Alberta Black Angus Beef featuring the CRSB Certified mark reiterates our commitment to our community, says Ken Keelor, CEO of Calgary Co-op.” Not only are we are providing the highest quality, locally produced beef to our members, but we are also supporting initiatives of our local cattle ranchers while helping to preserve our fragile ecosystem at the same time.”
The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) recognizes sustainable practices on Canadian farms, ranches, and beef processing facilities, through the Certified Sustainable Beef Framework, a third party audited certification program across five areas that define beef sustainability: natural resources, people and community, animal health and welfare, food, and efficiency and innovations. CRSB’s mission is to advance, measure and communicate continuous improvement in sustainability of the Canadian beef value chain.
The Black Angus beef is sourced from JBS Canada, which is a CRSB Certified sustainable facility, and is committed to supporting CRSB Certified Alberta beef ranchers.
“We are pleased to partner with local ranchers to support sustainable beef production in Canada,” says David Colwell, President of JBS Canada. “Our aim is always to responsibly meet the needs of today, while improving the ability of future generations to do the same. We are extremely pleased to partner with Calgary Co-op to make this industry leading program possible.”
“We are pleased to see Calgary Co-op partner with JBS Canada to incorporate sustainability in their Only Alberta Black Angus Beef brand,” says Anne Wasko, Past Chair of the CRSB and rancher from Eastend, SK. “ Supporting the sustainable practices and improvements that Canadian farmers and ranchers embrace each and every day on their operations is key to making sustainability progress in Canada, and Calgary Co-op’s commitment to sustainable sourcing will help share that story with Alberta Consumers.”
Calgary Co-op, JBS Canada and CRSB are partnering for the long term to advance beef sustainability, promote animal welfare and ensure the Canadian beef industry remains economically viable for Alberta cattle ranchers.
Says Ken Keelor, “We are proud to be one of the first local grocery retailers to carry the CRSB stamp of certification on our Angus Beef offerings.”
The Only Alberta Black Angus Beef brand features four distinct categories:
AA – aged for 14 days, AAA – aged for 21 days, AAA – dry aged for 28 days, and AAA – sealed for maximum tender and flavour.
To learn more about Calgary Co-op’s Only Alberta Black Angus Beef, visit www.calgarycoop.com/black-angus-beef .
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About Calgary Co-op
Owned by members, Calgary Co-op is one of the largest retail co-operatives in North America. Locations in Calgary, Airdrie, Cochrane, High River, Okotoks, and Strathmore include food centres, pharmacies,
gas stations, car washes, commercial cardlocks, home health care centres, wine, spirits, and beer locations, cannabis, Community Natural Food stores and Beacon Pharmacies.
With over 400,000 members, 3,850 employees, assets of $627 million and annual sales of $1.2 billion, Calgary Co-op was recognized as one of Alberta’s Top 75 Employers of 2021 and is committed to
delivering an exceptional customer experience through inspired team members. For more information, please visit www.calgarycoop.com.
About the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef
The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) advances, measures and communicates sustainability in the Canadian beef value chain in collaboration with its multi-stakeholder membership. It drives continuous improvement through sustainability performance measurement and goals, a voluntary 3rd party sustainability certification program, and projects and initiatives aligned with strategic goals. Learn more at crsb.ca
The Certified Sustainable Beef Framework, known as CRSB Certified,recognizes sustainable practices in beef production and processing, enables sustainable sourcing, and delivers 3rd party certified science-based assurances about sustainable beef production in Canada. Learn more at crsbcertified.ca
Source: westerngrocer.com