SUNLAND PARK, NM. —  Sous vide culinary solutions and meat processing company Stampede Meat Inc. announced today the expansion of its proprietary Butcher Certification Program at the Sunland Park, NM, location. In partnership with New Mexico State University's (NMSU) facilities and educators the expanded certification program offers training opportunities to every Stampede employee, regardless of role or experience.

The program at Stampede was founded at its Bridgeview, Ill.-based headquarters in 2013 and is still offered there today. As the only program of its kind in North America, Stampede said its investment in this expansion signals a commitment to the career development of its employees, customers and consumers by providing the highest-caliber product and experience in the culinary solutions market.

“Stampede has a deep and very personal learning commitment to each and every team member who entrusts their career with us,” said Brock Furlong, president and chief executive officer. “I could not be more proud of this investment in the incredible talent we have on our team. The opportunity to build on an already impressive set of butcher skills is a real privilege.”

Furlong envisions a future where more than 500 Stampede employees will have earned their butcher certifications from NMSU within the next three years — an ambitious goal created in celebration of the program's tenth anniversary. NMSU’s first class trainees graduated from the expanded program last month, and plans are already in place to roll out the fully certified program to Stampede's other facilities across North America.

"This investment in our team helps us all understand just how important the execution of quality is for our customers and consumers," said Stampede Strategic Project Manager Kelsey Eklin, one of the first recipients of the butcher certification from NMSU. "It grounds us in the expectation that workmanship matters and generates a real sense of pride in the execution of the culinary creations we produce on behalf of our customers."

Rural Partners Network, an alliance of federal agencies and commissions that helps rural communities build prosperity through job creation, infrastructure development and community improvement, helped facilitate the partnership between Stampede and NMSU.

“While we are excited by this investment and the immediate impact it will have for our customers and consumers, this is just one of the many investments we're making in the Stampede employee family,” said Chief Operating Officer Vito Guistino. “As the leader in developing North America's sous vide industry, we take pride in our expertise and make it our responsibility to train the next generation of butchers and leaders of our trade. Only through continued investment in our people will we remain the go-to supplier for menu development and retail innovation.”