Out and About

Got Beef?

Certified Piedmontese Has You Covered

By Mia Azizah

Nebraska has long been known for beef, but even among the nation’s top producers, the best of the best stands out. That’s the hidden gem you’ll find right here in Nebraska, grazing on our heartland prairies and drinking from the Ogallala Aquifer—Certified Piedmontese beef. Since 2011, Certified Piedmontese has offered portioned steak, ground beef, and in more recent years, chicken, bison and wagyu to customers nationwide. They also supply unique Piedmontese beef to restaurants, retailers and distributors across the United States. They recently opened a retail shop called The Mercato and the fine dining restaurant Casa Bovina right here in Lincoln.

Meat is a way of life in the Midwest, and Piedmontese beef is more than just any other beef. Beef from the Piedmontese breed of cattle has fewer calories, less fat, and higher protein per ounce than beef from other breeds. It makes an ideal source of lean protein. Select cuts of Certified Piedmontese beef has even fewer calories, ounce-for-ounce, than salmon.

The beef is half of the fat of a prime grade steak but just as tender and juicy. You won’t need to sacrifice your taste buds for your health! The combination of its leanness and tenderness means that you are in for a consistently healthy and delicious dining experience. “You really don’t believe it until you taste it yourself!” shares marketing and event coordinator Kala Springer.

What differentiates the Certified Piedmontese beef program from other producers is its high-quality, source-verified, ranch-to-fork beef program. Certified Piedmontese cattle are raised on family ranches throughout Nebraska. The cattle consume fresh mixed-grass prairies and are not fed antibiotics, steroids, or hormones. The program follows progressive ranching protocols, such as electronic identification tagging technology, database tracking initiatives, voluntary third-party audits, and DNA testing for heritage, ensuring high-quality production and standards of care and handling. These protocols make Certified Piedmontese beef a healthier option, full of flavor and tenderness.

The company works closely with the families and ranchers who raise the cattle. Having a direct relationship with the ranchers truly makes a difference, not only to the company but also to customers, who will know where their food comes from. We are truly what we eat.

Certified Piedmontese offers a wide variety of products, including filet mignon, New York strip, kabobs, sirloin filet, T-bone, ribeye, bavette (flank steak), and beef jerky. Certified Piedmontese also offers many ground beef options that you can use to blend for any dish. Certified Piedmontese ground beef brings a flavor and texture that will leave you wanting more.

Kala is thankful for the community that has supported local businesses like Certified Piedmontese. She says that many customers are surprised by how tender the beef is and how easy it is to purchase beef online. Free two-day shipping is guaranteed for orders over $99.

One customer, Larry, can attest to the deliciousness of Certified Piedmontese beef products. “I am so pleased. We now have a ‘steak day’ every week! The flavor is so good. I believe that you cannot buy a better grade of meat anywhere,” Larry says. “I will be a customer for a long time.”

If you’d like to surprise a loved one with the gift of Piedmontese beef, you can select from Certified Piedmontese’s assortment of wonderful gift boxes. Each box has a variety of cuts—a perfect combination at a great value. Certified Piedmontese also has business gift collections that include complementary seasonings.

The Beef Club at Certified Piedmontese allows you to enjoy premium beef delivered either once a month or four times a year. With two different subscription levels and a choice of when it’s delivered, this is a great solution for meal planning.

If you prefer to buy in person, you can visit the Certified Piedmontese retail and butcher shop, The Mercato. The Mercato gives the community in Lincoln and surrounding areas easy access to Certified Piedmontese products. The Mercato is their retail store featuring Certified Piedmontese beef. Their retail menu also offers cheeses, vegetables, and other high-quality ingredients. Many products are made in-house, coming soon they will have fresh vegetables, which will be grown in a substantial on-site garden. These fresh ingredients are also put to good use at the on-site, reservation-only Italian steakhouse, Casa Bovina. Both The Mercato (open 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily) and Casa Bovina (open 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday) are located north of 84th Street and Havelock Avenue, in Lincoln.

To learn more about the products available from Certified Piedmontese, visit them online at piedmontese.com or call them at 800-414-3487. You can also find them on Facebook: @CertifiedPiedmontese. To learn about The Mercato, visit cpmercato.com. For more information on Casa Bovina, go to casabovina.com.