Subscribe & Save 5% Storewide + Free Item with Every Order of $175+!

Author: Pamela Rozsa

All posts
More on the Big Four: JBS, Tyson, Cargill, and National Beef

More on the Big Four: JBS, Tyson, Cargill, and National Beef

đŸ§© “Who Controls Your Beef?” đŸ„© The Big Four: 85% of America’s Beef Controlled by 4 Companies 💬 “When just four companies process most of the beef in our country, we don’t just lose competition — we lose connection.” — Liz Cunningham Panel 1: The Players ProcessorOwnership% of MarketKnown ForJBS USABrazil (JBS S.A.)~25%Largest meat processor in the world; ransomware attack 2021 shut down 20% of U.S. meat supplyTyson FoodsU.S.~22%COVID shutdowns led to mass cattle backlogs; ongoing price-fixing litigationCargill Meat SolutionsU.S.~22%Commodity-driven global agribusiness; joint settlements for antitrust violationsNational Beef (Marfrig Global Foods)Brazil~18%Foreign-owned; major importer/exporter balancing U.S. beef and South American supply 📊 Together: 85–87% of all beef processed in the United States Panel 2: The Hidden Costs đŸ’” Price Control: Coordinated market behavior drives rancher profits down and retail prices up. đŸ„© Supply Risk: When one major plant shuts down — like JBS in 2021 — U.S. beef supply can drop 20% overnight. 🌎 Foreign Influence: Two of the four are Brazilian-owned, meaning U.S. beef production decisions are made overseas. 🐄 Lost Independence: Family ranchers can’t compete with massive volume pricing. Processing access becomes bottlenecked. Panel 3: The COVID Reality Check đŸš« Plant shutdowns → millions of pounds of cattle euthanized đŸœïž Empty grocery shelves → record-high prices đŸ€ Small processors couldn’t expand due to USDA red tape “It’s not the cow. It’s the how. Our food system isn’t broken — it’s bottlenecked.” — Liz Cunningham Panel 4: What We’re Doing Differently At Cunningham Ranch & Northwest Premium Meats: Locally processed beef from Jordan Valley, Oregon/Treasure Valley, Idaho USDA inspected, small-batch handled Full traceability from pasture to plate  Dollars stay local — supporting Northwest families - Cliff's Country Market is now the home of Cunningham Pastured Meats💚 Food You Can Trust — From Families Who Care Panel 5: What You Can Do 🛒 Buy Local Beef — direct from ranchers and small butchers and locally owned family markets like Cliff's Country Market in Caldwell, ID đŸ—Łïž Ask Questions — know who raised and processed your meat đŸ€ Support Legislation — like the PRIME Act that gives small processors freedom đŸœïž Share the Story — because change starts around the dinner table 📍 Learn More at CunninghamPasturedMeats.com

Read more
More on How Grazing Got Complicated- it's a "heated" debate

More on How Grazing Got Complicated- it's a "heated" debate

đŸŒŸ How Grazing Got Complicated Back in the early 1900s, before federal oversight, ranchers and homesteaders often clashed over access to grazing land. By the 1930s, the BLM was formed to manage who could graze and where. Then came the 1960s — and with it, new fencing requirements, reduced grazing allotments (AUMs, or Animal Unit Months), and tighter federal restrictions. But, this isn't just a difference of opinion, this becomes a "heated" debate when fires are not well managed and threaten our lands and the solution is rooted in good stewardship of the land as nature intended.

Read more
đŸŒ§ïž A Wetter Fall in Jordan Valley

đŸŒ§ïž A Wetter Fall in Jordan Valley

đŸŒ§ïž A Wetter Fall in Jordan Valley = a tender rib-eye! On average, Jordan Valley predicts over 2 inches of rain in October and November combined. This year, reports show precipitation estimates that will run above normal levels across much of Oregon—including the rangelands we rely on.

Read more
2025 Fishing Report

2025 Fishing Report

"When you choose wild salmon, you’re not just buying dinner. You’re choosing adventure, resilience, and purity. You’re choosing a source of nourishment that’s powered people for thousands of years."

Read more
Warm Salmon, Squash & Apple Salad

Warm Salmon, Squash & Apple Salad

Warm Salmon, Red Kuri Squash & Apple Harvest Salad At Cunningham Pastured Meats, we love bringing together trusted partners who share our values of quality, transparency, and care. This Warm Salmon, Red Kuri Squash & Apple Salad does just that—pairing vibrant produce from Cliff’s Country Market with premium wild-caught sockeye salmon from Alsek Fish LLC. The result is a hearty, nourishing salad that tastes like autumn in a bowl. 🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4) For the Salad: 1 medium red kuri squash from Cliff’s Country Market, peeled, seeded, and cubed 2 tablespoons olive oil Salt & pepper, to taste 1 Âœ pounds Cunningham Pastured Meats Wild-Caught Sockeye Salmon (sourced from Alsek Fish LLC) 1 tablespoon olive oil (for searing, if not baking) 2 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Gala), sliced thin — also available at Cliff’s 6 cups arugula or baby spinach (Cliff’s seasonal greens) Âœ cup toasted pecans, roughly chopped Optional: ÂŒ cup goat cheese or feta For the Maple-Mustard Vinaigrette: ÂŒ cup olive oil 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard (optional) 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup Salt & pepper, to taste đŸ”Ș Instructions Roast the Squash Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss squash cubes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a sheet pan and roast 25–30 minutes, flipping once, until tender and caramelized. Cook the Salmon Pan-seared: Heat oil in skillet. Season salmon, cook skin-side down 4–5 minutes, then flip and cook 3–4 more minutes. Baked: Place salmon on parchment-lined pan, season, and bake at 400°F for 12–15 minutes until it flakes. Cool slightly, then flake into hearty chunks. Make the Dressing Whisk vinaigrette ingredients until smooth and emulsified. Adjust to taste. Assemble the Salad Toss greens with half the vinaigrette. Arrange squash, apples, salmon, and pecans on top. Drizzle with remaining vinaigrette. Add goat cheese if desired. 🌊 About the Salmon: Know Your Fisherman Our salmon comes from Alsek Fish LLC, a small fishing family that spends summers in Southeast Alaska and calls the Treasure Valley home the rest of the year. They fish the Alsek River, a glacier-fed river that averages just 39°F. Those icy waters mean salmon from this run naturally carry higher levels of healthy fats and Omega-3s—fuel for their long journey home. Alsek Fish LLC catches and processes every fillet themselves, so when you buy from Cunningham Pastured Meats, you truly know your fisherman. đŸŒ± About the Produce: Local & Fresh from Cliff’s From the earthy sweetness of red kuri squash to the crisp bite of Idaho-grown apples, all of the fresh produce in this salad is available at Cliff’s Country Market. It’s the perfect way to enjoy seasonal flavors while supporting local growers. ✹ Why You’ll Love It Sweet, savory, nutty, and tangy flavors in every bite Features Cliff’s seasonal produce and Alsek wild-caught salmon Balanced enough for lunch, hearty enough for dinner A celebration of real food from trusted families and local farms

Read more
Not a fan of meatloaf, but love our ground beef!! More recipe ideas here!

Not a fan of meatloaf, but love our ground beef!! More recipe ideas here!

đŸ„© From Ranch to Table: 5 Delicious Ways to Enjoy Cunningham’s 80/20 Ground Beef đŸ„© Whether you love a classic comfort dish or want to try something new, Cunningham Pastured Meats’ 80/20 ground beef delivers rich, beefy flavor in every bite. In this blog, we’re sharing recipes that go beyond the bun — from Mama’s Easy Meatloaf to a fresh, locally inspired Bolognese made with organic canning tomatoes from Rice Family Farms. You’ll also find quick ideas like savory beef tacos, stuffed peppers, juicy smash burgers, and hearty one-pan skillets. Each recipe is simple enough for busy weeknights, customizable to your family’s taste, and made better with high-quality, pasture-raised beef from right here in Idaho. ❀

Read more
Fall for pumpkin recipes from Idaho Preferred

Fall for pumpkin recipes from Idaho Preferred

When you live in the greater Northwest, there is nothing better than a bluster fall day! Sweet notes of cinnamon & cider and pumpkin decor. But, what do you do with that wilting Jack-O-Lantern that the kids carved and is melting before your eyes? Love fall comfort foods?  Check out a repertoire of fall pumpkin recipe ideas at Idaho Preferred

Read more
September is Idaho Preferred Month!

September is Idaho Preferred Month!

Did you know that Cliff's Country Market carries an abundant selection of Idaho Preferred products & produce? Want to learn more about how Idaho Preferred celebrates Idaho products in September and why Cliff's Country Market is a destination location for Idaho Preferred?   Click here for more on Idaho Preferred-   Idaho Preferred

Read more
Eat Local and support your health & Idaho's Economic health!

Eat Local and support your health & Idaho's Economic health!

Choosing local Idaho agriculture isn’t just about great tasting food; it also means you are contributing to our State’s economy and overall quality of life. Idaho ranks among the top 5 agricultural states by GDP, thanks to over 185 different commodities produced in the Gem State. (Idaho Preferred)

Read more
Everything Good Starts Great

Everything Good Starts Great

A Local Interview highlighting a local family business Greenwave Hydroponics and fun video that takes you on a journey from the farm to the floor and to your table with foods that are all found at Cliff's Country Market in Caldwell, Idaho! It's the reason we focus on Food You Can Trust and why we think everything good starts great!!

Read more
Let's Shop Local. Let's Shop Cliff's!

Let's Shop Local. Let's Shop Cliff's!

If you haven't discovered Caldwell, Idaho's best kept secret, then you'll want to take a peek at what we have "in store" at Cliff's Country Market in Caldwell, Idaho! The very best Food You Can Trust! Non GMO, Organics and Grass Fed, Finished, No Hormones EVER CPM Meats! All in one small, family market, you're sure to call your own!

Read more
Hand Trimmed Produce at Cliff's Country Market home of Cunningham Pastured Meats

Hand Trimmed Produce at Cliff's Country Market home of Cunningham Pastured Meats

Watch how we hand trim our produce at Cliff's Country Market in Caldwell, Idaho. It's why we are known for The Food You Can Trust!! We have personal relationships with our farmers and vendors and we take great pride in displaying produce and foods that are prepared for your purchase right her on site! With care and expertise, we carefully hand trim our produce so you are ensured the freshest product in the marketplace. Ps. Looking for more...we pre-package our organic bulk items. And, we hand craft our gluten free bakery in our bakery!!

Read more
Organic vs. Conventional Spices

Organic vs. Conventional Spices

Have you ever wanted to know why Organic Spices are "as thing"! Want to learn to make your own All Purpose Spice Rub. Included in this blog are links to 7 DIY Ways to Make your home smell like fall, to include making your own Pumpkin Spice Room Spray!

Read more
Treasure Valley Greens

Treasure Valley Greens

Another local, family owned, favorite vendor of Cliff's Country Market in Caldwell, Idaho. These nutritious sprouts are grown year round in Kuna, Idaho!

Read more
Traditional Slavic Paska for Easter

Traditional Slavic Paska for Easter

Did you know that Paska is traditionally cylindrical, baked in coffee cans, and decorated in bright, blueish-grey poppy seeds (of Ukraine's favorite flower), or colorfully embellished with dried fruit. Today’s paska has a contemporary twist and decorated with sprinkles but always shared in the tradition of shared over a hot cup of black tea. But, there are many variations of Paska. In this video you will see the preparation of Paska in its most authentic Ukrainian traditional form and hand crafted by our Ukrainian baker Diana in Cliff's Country Market Bakery located in Caldwell Idaho where you will find Organic, Non Gmo Food You Can Trust!

Read more
Return To Top

Menu

Follow Us



© 2017 - 2025 Cunningham Pastured Meats. All Rights Reserved

Selling Pasture Raised Meats in the Boise Valley

208-649-4403

Privacy Policy
Boise's #1 source for 100% Grassfed beef & lamb, pastured pork & chicken and wild-caught seafood