While students eating at West 82 have noticed a different flavor in their poultry products, the chickens have gone au natural.
Ohio University has partnered with Gerber's Poultry, Inc., a Kidron-based farm that raises chickens naturally in hopes of improving their health value. The chickens Gerber raises have no additives or antibiotics, arsenic, gluten, saltwater, hormones or other animal by-products, according to its website.
Except for a few vitamin supplements - which are all-natural - we don't use any additives
said Tim Gerber, vice president and co-owner.
Director of Retail Operations Mohamed Ali said the chicken has increased sales at West 82 and also is being used for OU Catering events.
We're using 750 pounds a week Ali said. Before it was never more than 300 pounds.
Ali said the new chicken has far less salt than the chicken it previously used and, therefore, is meatier because it does not shrink when cooked. He also said it does not need to be trimmed, which reduces both labor and waste.
We've received excellent feedback
said Mary Jane Jones, associate director of Catering and Baker University Center. She and Ali noted commenters have found the new chicken to be meatier, healthier and better tasting.
Jones said she used to buy the chicken for her own family and introduced the idea to OU.
Such poultry is far from an industry standard, but Gerber said the family-run business has been doing so for the last 10 years of its 58-year history.
We're a small farm operation
Gerber said. To survive
we need to differentiate ourselves from the larger industry.
Though more producers are going all natural, Gerber said his company has remained on the leading edge.
It's certainly a pricier product to produce using all whole-grain feed
Gerber said.
Jeff Brooks, a retail manager for OU dining services, said the new chicken costs OU $3.29 per pound, compared to $2.42 from its previous vendor.
Jones said the previous chicken products produced almost 10 percent waste and the new chicken has been successful.
People like it and keep coming back for more
she said.
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