Last updated on September 6th, 2012 at 11:27 am
Integrated Management Information Inc. and Heinen’s Fine Foods, a regional retailer with 17 locations in northeast Ohio, have launched the WhereFoodComesFrom® labeling program in the grocery chain’s meat department. The program is designed to give customers more information about the source and origin of Heinen’s Own Beef and Pork. IMI Global has created a new website detailing the program at www.wherefoodcomesfrom.com/heinens.
“Knowing where your food comes from is the basis for knowing everything about what you eat,” said
Tom Heinen. “We take great pride in the specifications that go into the sourcing of our food products. We only accept the very best for our customers. The WhereFoodComesFrom labeling program helps us to provide our customers information about the source of our beef and pork products, and lets consumers learn firsthand about where, how and by whom their food was raised.”
Heinen’s will utilize the WhereFoodComesFrom labeling program on all of its Heinen’s Own Beef and Pork. The program incorporates a quick response (QR) bar code that allows consumers using a smart phone to scan the product and quickly access detailed information about the product’s origins.
“We’ve been offering verification services to farmers and ranchers for food marketing claims for 15 years and WhereFoodComesFrom is our effort to connect that program with the consumers who are looking for information about the food they buy,” said Leann Saunders, president of IMI Global. “Consumer research tells us that people want to know more about their food and WhereFoodComesFrom tells that story in an authentic way that consumers can be confident in.”
A rancher, farmer or food supplier can only use the WhereFoodComesFrom verification seal of approval if the source of the product has been verified through a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Process Verified Program (PVP) or Quality Systems Assessment (QS) auditing system. Participating suppliers are then able to market their food products with the WhereFoodComesFrom seal and accompanying QR code to offer consumers an added level of confidence in the product’s attributes.
