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Michigan jerky maker says it's not just for cowboys anymore
BAY CITY, Mich. (AP)--Taste, convenience and heartiness have made jerky a popular treat since the days of the old, wild West.
McDonald's and Burger King drive-thrus weren't available back when cowboys rode their horses all day over the open range. Before they saddled up, they ate large breakfasts, but that was the only meal they'd have until they sat down for an evening dinner.
"Through the day, (jerky) is what kept them sustained," said Tom Krawczak, plant manager at Bay City's Michigan Brand Inc., a local maker of jerky, sausages and hams. "It's been around for many, many years. Back in the old days they called it `hard tack.' It was carried in the saddle bag of their horse."
But today, jerky has moved on to become popular with lots of folks.
"It's basically a good old American treat. All walks of life eat it," Krawczak said. "I'd say jerky has reached an all-time high popularity right now because everybody sells it."
Michigan Brand sells its jerky all over Michigan and at select sites throughout the United States. The company produces "well over 100,000 pounds of jerky a year," Krawczak said.
"That's over 50 tons. That's a lot of jerky when you think about it," he said. "It's a very steady business."
Michigan Brand is a wholesale operation that sells its jerky to businesses, which sell to individuals. The company makes jerky for a number of different entities, but it also has its own label, which it markets all over the state.
One group of people that seem particularly taken with the snack are hunters.
"It's very easy to carry. It doesn't need to be refrigerated. It's a nice snack item, and it's filling," Krawczak said.
Ron Beson, owner of Ron Beson's Corner Store, said he understands why jerky is popular with hunters.
"I think it's quick energy because you don't want to take time for a sandwich, and that's going to cure your hunger for a while," he said. "A candy bar sometimes just isn't going to do it."
Beson said he sells Michigan Brand jerky all year.
"Duck season and I'd say deer season is probably the best time," Beson said of his jerky sales. "For a hunter, it's like putting candy in front of a kid."
Michigan Brand will take a hunter's catch and make it into jerky and sausage sticks during the hunting season.
Jerky, while it can be pricey, also is popular among those who are watching their waistlines.
"It's not a fattening product because it contains lean meat," Krawczak said.
Jerky is basically strips of muscle meat that are treated with spices and smoked.
Krawczak said jerky can be made from many meats, including elk, venison, beef, turkey and buffalo. At Michigan Brand, jerky is made by slicing meat into 6- to 8-inch strips and then mixing 40-pound batches with spices.
"It marinates for 24 hours, and then it's individually hung and smoked," Krawczak said.
It isn't an easy snack to whip together because it takes time.
"It's very labor intensive. Every piece has to be individually sliced, then it has to be seasoned and then it has to be individually hung," Krawczak said.
Jerky prices range between $12 and $20 a pound, he said. Wild game jerky can be particularly costly.
"It's very expensive, but people still like to buy it," Krawczak said.
Michigan Brand, a 10-year-old company owned by Mike Grillo, makes 29 different flavors of jerky--almost all of which are made from an original recipe. The flavors include: regular, barbecue, honey glaze, cherry maple, Cajun and teriyaki.
Date: 11/22/04
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