by Nicholas Oconnor, Prepared Foods & Cheese Category Manager
Bell & Evans has long been a staple of our Meat Department, and a customer favorite for years. They also used to be a staple of our Prepared Foods program for many years. Due to major supply issues over the last few years, reliable sourcing for our Delis became very cumbersome. Now, in cooperation with our Meat & Seafood Category Manager, Nick Heitman, we have established a new supply line and distributor for our Bell & Evans chicken!
In the world of food and poultry, not all chicken is the same. Consumers have become acutely aware of the differences between conventional brands and a superior product such as Bell & Evans. Known for their commitment to ethical practices, sustainability, and quality, Bell & Evans has made a niche for themselves in the food industry. In this article we will look at some of the benefits that make Bell & Evans chicken a superior choice for us to use in our Prepared Foods program as well as the scope of this change.
Raised with Care
Bell & Evans takes pride in its approach to poultry farming, emphasizing humane and ethical practices. They raise their chickens in a good and clean environment, without the use of antibiotics. This dedication to the well-being of the animals translates into a superior quality of meat that is not only more flavorful but also aligns with the values of conscientious consumers—like us!
Exceptional Flavor and Texture
The quality of the chicken from Bell & Evans is also noteworthy. The chickens are raised on an all-vegetarian diet, resulting in a meat that is tender and bursting with natural flavors. The commitment to avoiding additives and artificial enhancers ensures that the true essence of the chicken is preserved, which results in the absence of unwanted flavors or after-tastes that you will find in many other foods containing chicken.
No Antibiotics Ever
Bell & Evans proudly promotes a “No Antibiotics Ever” policy. This means that their chickens are raised without the use of antibiotics, contributing to a healthier food choice for consumers. The absence of antibiotics not only ensures a cleaner and more natural taste, but also addresses concerns related to antibiotic resistance, making Bell & Evans a responsible and health-conscious choice.
Product Offerings
Some of the dishes in which you can look forward to finding Bell & Evans chickens used: BBQ Chicken, all of our Chicken Salads, and—one of my personal favorites—the Sweet and Hot Chicken! You will also occasionally see Chicken Tenders on the hot bar. In order to make sure we have foods available for folks who have gluten sensitivity or are just reducing the amount of gluten they consume, we use Bell & Evans gluten-free breaded chicken tenders. If eating gluten is your thing, please don’t let the fact that the breading is made without gluten turn you off! These are absolutely delicious and you probably couldn’t even tell if you had to undertake a “Pepsi challenge”-type test!
Our whole roasted chickens are also going to be Bell & Evans. We’ve been working with our distributor and Bell & Evans to make sure we have a smooth transition, and have procured new packaging for these birds that will highlight the great qualities of our committed source for chicken. At the time this article is published, we will be running a sale for our Whole Roasted Chickens at all stores, and they will be $2 off. The sale runs from Monday, April 1 through Sunday, April 7 and is for Willy Street Co-op Owners only.
If you pick up a whole roasted chicken, I encourage you to also grab some of our Coleslaw, Mashed Potatoes, Maple Roasted Vegetables, Mac & Cheese, or a housemade soup!
In a market flooded with poultry options, Bell & Evans stands out as a brand that supports ethical poultry farming, and clean practices in our food industry. Choosing Bell & Evans chicken not only elevates the taste and texture of our Prepared Foods program, but also reflects a commitment to supporting responsible and humane farming practices. We are very excited to have completed this transition over the last few months to a dedicated source for chicken and are excited to have all of you who eat chicken try this out!
For more information on Bell & Evans’ standards and what they do from beginning to end please visit: www.bellandevans.com/our-standards/the-100-rule.