The goal of the Nebraska Verified certification is to raise the profile of Nebraska beef in domestic and international markets, where consumers are increasingly interested in knowing from where their food originates, said John Saunders, chief executive officer of I.M.I. Global. The Nebraska Verified certification is available to cattle producers or feeders in the state who currently participate in the U.S.D.A.’s verification programs.
"I.M.I. Global designed this program to leverage the state's well-earned reputation for producing superior beef products," Saunders said. "As consumers insist on learning more about where their food comes from, we are developing programs to meet that need and at the same time benefit the producers and feeders who are responsive to these changing consumer preferences."
I.M.I. consulted with Nebraska Department of Agriculture officials, beef processors and marketers, and cow/calf producers to develop the Nebraska Verified P.V.P. certification. Saunders said the input was critical to creating a program that is both workable for the state's farmers and ranchers, and also meets the specifications now commonly requested by both domestic and international beef purchasers.
