RJ’s brings home the award-winning ‘Bacon’

• From left, Rick and Anne Reams, Eric Carlson, Marshal Castano and Anthony Reams of RJ's Meats

On hand to celebrate the newest round of awards earned by RJ’s Meats and Groceries are from the left Rick and Anne Reams, Eric Carlson, Marshal Castano and Anthony Reams. In the foreground are some of their winning products, from the left are smoked brats, grand champion bacon and grand champion summer sausage, also featured are their homemade brat and burger buns.

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Competing in both the American Cured Meat Championships in Omaha, Neb., and the Wisconsin State Fair during July, RJ’s Meats and Groceries, owned by Rick and Anne Reams, continues a long tradition of success.

In Omaha, they earned first place, grand champion, Meat Snack Sticks; second place, reserve grand champion in the andouille sausage class; second place, reserve grand champion in the dried beef class; second place, reserve grand champion in the heavyweight bone-in ham class; second place, reserve grand champion in the specialty game meats class and third place in the lightweight bone-in ham class. All of the entries were judged on the basis of aroma, flavor, eye appeal, color and texture. This year there were 734 entries in 25 product categories.

At the 2009 Wisconsin State Fair the RJ’s team brought home honors in four categories including the following: Reserve Grand Champion Summer Sausage, Grand Champion Bacon, Grand Champion Meat Snack Sticks and Reserve Grand Champion Ham.

All of the products were donated to a fundraising auction for the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation. RJ’s winning items raised a total of $5,600 during the event.

Tags: rjs meats, business, retail, awards