The Natural Foods group of the Moore Companies is an integrated group of family-owned companies. The principals are Roy Moore, founder, and his wife Bobbi, along with their four sons: Rex, Lance, Charlie and Monte.

ROCKING M RANCH

   In 1973 Roy purchased the 38,000 acre Rocking M Ranch at Weiser, Idaho. Rocking M Cattle Company, a family-owned limited partnership was formed. In 1974 the Salers cattle was imported by Roy Moore and the first national breed office was located at the Rocking M Ranch. The breed prospered and grew to the eighth largest breed in the United States during the next decade. Rocking M Cattle Company became the third largest cattle seedstock producer in the west, as well as an importer and exporter of Salers seedstock. During this time, the ranch and the four Moore sons achieved notice with their many wins in carcass contests at county, state, and national shows. Rocking M Cattle Company holds the record at the National Western Stock Show with thirteen carcass championships in twenty years at the prestigious Fed Beef Contest. The unmatched yield and quality grades of these cattle gathered fame as the Moore boys put themselves through college with profits from their cattle.

MAVERICK RANCH NATURAL MEATS

   A chance visit to an all-natural market by Roy in 1985 led to cutting tests and the first retail orders for natural beef raised without antibiotics or added hormones. This led to the formation of Maverick Ranch Association which then included 97 family-owned ranches in addition to The Rocking M Ranch.

   In January 1986 the first NaturaLite beef was sold at the newest all-natural market in Colorado. The store used four head of cattle per week. At the 1986 National Western Stock Show Roy was recognized as the "Livestock Man of the Year" for his efforts establishing the Salers breed and the Rocking M genetics as a major force in the industry. In the presentation to Roy, Dan Green, editor of The Record Stockman, praised Roy's efforts at vertical integration and predicted a new era in the beef industry created by branded beef programs.

   Maverick Ranch attracted investment capital and became a publicly traded company in 1986. Unfortunately, by 1987 losses had depleted its net worth and investors said, "Close the doors." Instead, Roy and the family (who were all active in the business by then) repurchased Maverick Ranch and restructured the system.

   By late 1987 Maverick Ranch expanded into Denver's and St. Louis's largest retailers. Maverick Ranch was then approached by the U.S. Olympic Committee with an opportunity to supply beef to the U.S. Olympic Training Centers. At that time, an Olympic sponsorship ranged anywhere up to $5 million dollars for a four-year contract. Some sponsors were Fortune 500 companies. Maverick couldn't qualify financially so the USOC created a new category called "Olympic Supplier." A supplier simply donated product instead of cash. Maverick Ranch became the very first U.S. Olympic Supplier of fresh beef. The USOTC/Maverick relationship flourished and the impact of our success with the U.S. Olympic Training Center suppliership was evident as our product lines continued to grow. In 2001 the U.S. Olympic Suppliership agreement was modified to include fresh and frozen Pork.

GUARANTEK LABORATORIES

   Maverick Ranch uses laboratory tests conducted in a USDA-approved facility to prove that our product contains no detectable residue from antibiotics, steroids, or pesticides. Originally, an outside laboratory was hired to test for these substances. By 1992, the Moore family found it necessary to develop its own laboratory and GuaranTek Analytical Laboratories was founded. By 2003 the fourth generation of GuaranTek was in place. The lab has departments for microbiology, residue testing, fat and protein testing, water testing, and R&D. A satellite lab was set up in a pork plant in Illinois in February 2003. GuaranTek is USDA accredited for Organo-chlorine Pesticides. Future plans include human testing for pesticides and other environmental contaminates.

   Safety is absolutely our number one focal point. We have implemented over fifty safety features at our plants and those of our copackers. One of our most important safety systems is called SANOVA. This citrus-based wash changes the meat's Ph for 24 hours, resulting in a 99% kill of pathogenic bacteria. Our case ready grinds receive SANOVA twice, resulting in a 4 log (99.99%) reduction in pathogens. This is similar to irradiation in effectiveness on pathogens, but SANOVA leaves the "good" bacteria to help fight future contamination if it should occur at the store or household level. Maverick Ranch was only the third plant in the nation and the very first retail plant to use this system.

ROCKING M CATTLE COMPANY

   Today Rocking M Cattle Company owns an additional 65,000 square foot plant in Denver as well as equipment that is leased to Maverick Ranch Natural Meats (Maverick Ranch Association). This natural meats processor, along with its family-owned producer and packer alliances, controls what is believed to be one of the largest supply of natural meat in North America. Maverick has been on the leading edge and a pioneer in developing case ready products and new safety technology. A new concept under development is a small kill plant concept located at or near producer-owned feedlots.

MAVERICK MARKETING

   Early in 1986 the Moores realized a need for a graphic design and ad agency. The family founded Maverick Marketing with Bobbi Moore as its creative director. Bobbi, an artist in her own right, had completed ninety graduate hours in graphic arts from Boise State University. Youngest son Monte was becoming a commercial artist while still in high school. Today Maverick Marketing still does all of Maverick Ranch's advertising and point-of-purchase material. Monte Moore has become an internationally award-winning illustrator. Maverick Marketing also has a top computer graphics department. Outside income is earned by Maverick Marketing, which helps lower design costs to Maverick Ranch.

COLORADO MEAT PACKERS

   In January of 2001 the Moore Family purchased a 70% interest in Colorado Meat Packers. The balance of CMP is employee-owned. CMP is considered to be one of the most efficient beef fabrication plants in the U.S. With a one-shift capacity of three hundred head per day, beef carcasses are fabricated into boxed beef in 6 to 7 minutes. CMP uses a Cryovac 8300 machine for fabrication. Also, the company provides a case ready system for major retailers in the Denver area operating out of its 45,000 square foot plant.

MAVERICK RANCH NATURAL POULTRY AND EGG

   By late 2003 Maverick ranch had expanded into both private label and branded oven-ready programs for three major retail chains. During this same period, Moore Natural Foods Group expanded and formed a new division for poultry: Maverick Ranch Natural Poultry and Egg. Poultry processing facilities at the Denver Plant were completed in the fall of 2003. This division specializes in Air-Chilled, Free Range, Antibiotic-Free Chickens and will also introduce Natural Turkey and Organic, Cage-Free Eggs in 2004.

FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED

   Recently Rex Moore, president of Maverick Ranch Natural Meats, was recognized as a "rising star" in the industry by Meat Processing Magazine. Roy Moore was the recipient of the Region 5 NCBA Beef Industry Vision Award. The award was given in part because of Maverick's visions leading to the movement towards leaner grinds. Maverick Ranch is credited with starting this movement in 1987. Today the company produces four 96% Lean grinds under the Maverick Ranch label plus the company has been licensed by Certified Angus to produce a 96% and 93% lean grind for CAB retailers.

   Charlie Moore, Vice President of Marketing for Maverick Ranch, develops partnerships with retailers nationwide. Under Charlie and Roy's guidance, The Moore Family Natural Foods Group works together to bring the retailer and their consumers the safest and best promoted supply of natural meat and poultry available today. Consumer confidence is created by our brand association with the U.S. Olympic Training Centers, American Heart Association Food Accreditation Program, and GuaranTek Analytical Laboratories' SafeChek program.