CASTLE ROCK, Colo. – Where Food Comes From (WFCF), a third-party food verifier, has acquired Sterling Solutions LLC, a provider of third-party verification services for the beef industry. The cash and stock transaction is expected to be accretive to WFCF's earnings. No other details were disclosed.

Sterling Solutions, based in Vale, Ore., specializes in verification programs for the beef industry. The company serves large dairies, leading calf ranch and feed-yard customers in the western United States. The company also has a very strong presence in the Pacific Northwest. Sterling Solution's licenses and accreditations include Source and Age, Non-Hormone Treated Cattle (NHTC), Animal Welfare, Sterling Natural, High Quality Beef (HQB), Never Ever 3 (NE3), and other programs. The company has more than 10 years of on-farm auditing experience.


"Sterling Solutions is a highly-regarded company with strong credentials in a variety of auditing standards," said John Saunders, chairman and CEO of Where Food Comes From. "This transaction ideally fits our M&A strategy of expanding our verification portfolio, increasing our geographic footprint and growing market share. We are excited about the addition of Sterling Solutions to the Where Food Comes From family, and look forward to working together toward our common goal of providing consumers with maximum transparency into the food supply chain."

Sterling Solutions will retain its name and operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of WFCF. Susan Morse will remain program manager for Sterling Solutions and continue to work with Sterling customers.

WFCF has acquired five independent verification companies since 2012. It is the largest provider of verification services in the US, serving more than 10,000 customers in the food production supply chain. The company's portfolio of services covers beef, pork, poultry, lamb, dairy, eggs and organic. It also includes offerings ranging from source and age, non-hormone and humane handling to organic, non-GMO and gluten free.