Tom Serrato, president of Far West Meats leads the crowd in America The Beautiful as the flag is raised for the first time on the new flag pole.
(HIGHLAND, Calif.) Far West Meats served thousands of free barbecued Hot Links, tri-tip, brisket, ribs, chicken, hot dogs, with different barbecue sauces, gourmet cheese puffs, grapes, smoothes and more at a barbecue held recently at its newly re-opened plant in Highland.
Their meats are available at many southern California restaurants and at Food 4 Less, Stater Brothers, El Super, Superior Markets, Smart and Final, Albertson’s and Ralph’s Markets.
Delicious hormone free Far West Meats barbecued chicken ready to eat!
“The grand opening was a great success with so many of our customers, friends, family and neighbors here to help us celebrate our return to our home,“ said Tom Serrato, president of Far West Meats. He added, “It was so much fun to see so many friends here.”
We woke up to the smell of the heavenly barbecue,” said neighbor Susan Brown. “We came over for the barbecue and end up staying for hours. It’s such a fun family event with fun for the kids, good music and a great atmosphere.”
We smelled the smoke and came for the barbecue. We had so much fun we stayed for two hours.
The celebration included two live top 40 bands, face painting for the kids, clowns, magicians, a reptile show, raffle prizes every 15 minutes and discount coupons for Far West Meats.
“People were so involved with enjoying all of the different varieties of Far West Meats that they really didn’t pay attention to the free raffles,” said Serrato. “We announced the prize numbers over our two PA systems and the team and I walked through the crowd announcing the raffle prize numbers and people didn’t seam to be interested in prizes, they were enjoying the meat!”
Tom Serrato, Far West President reads the winning number to a $50 raffle prize. People were too busy enjoying the barbecue to take the money.
In the end the Far West Meats team gave $25 to $50 gift cards randomly to the people attending.
During the flag raising ceremony lead by local Veteran’s of Foreign Wars members, Serrato sang American the Beautiful and the crowd joined in, ending in applause and cheers.
“We could have shut down after the fire and moved to the beach. But that’s not what I wanted. We have a responsibility to our family, to our customers and to our community. We couldn’t wait to get back home, “ said Serrato.
The 90-year-old butcher and meatpacking company invested $3 million to rebuild after a devastating fire two years ago. Far West Meats temporarily moved to a smaller plant in Colton but produced at half capacity.
I won a $25 gift card.
The rebuilt location gives Far West Meats the production capacity they need to reclaim lost market share and increase sales.
Far West Meats’ product line includes all cuts of beef, pork, poultry and 10 flavors of their famous Hot Links, including hot and mild, pork, chicken and beef.
Jerry (Chef Cujo) Caldwell, of Cujo’s Big Smoke B-B-Q was the prime preparer of the tri-tip & brisket beef that was served from a booth ‘staffed’ by Far West Meats volunteers and the Highland Rotary.
Customers can order from the website FarWestMeat.com for shipping anywhere in the United States or for pick up at the Highland location. The website also offers free tips on meat handling, cooking, recipes, and catering.
For more information please call (909) 864-1990.
About Far West Meats – Tom Serrato, President and CEO Far West Meats is a 90-year-old Highland based butcher and meat packing Company. Their products are sold throughout California. Product includes many cuts of beef, pork, and chicken as well as their 10 flavors of their famous signature smoked sausages and a complete line of smoked meats. Every product sold is guaranteed 100% for quality and freshness.
Penny Lilburn, highland Mayor Pro Tem welcomes Far West Meats owner Tom Serrato back to highland, Calif. Photo by Carl Dameron
“Far West Meats stocks only the highest quality grain-fed, naturally aged, trimmed to perfection, Premium Choice Northern California Beef. We also carry the best open-range, steroid-free Chicken and tender lean Pork,” said Serrato.
(Highland, CA) – How do you say thank you to thousands of loyal customers that have supported your family for more than 90 years though good times and bad and a devastating fire that cut output in half for two years?
Tom Serrato, owner of Far West Meats (FarWestMeat.com) is celebrating with a FREE Re-Opening Celebration Barbeque on Saturday, July 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at their newly rebuilt location and two-acre parking lot, 7759 Victoria Avenue in Highland.
“To celebrate our return to Highland Far West Meats will serve free Barbeque with our high quality meats to our customers, friends and neighbors,” said Serrato. He added, “We will also have two live top 40 bands, face painting for the kids, clowns, magicians, raffle prizes every 15 minuets and discount coupons for Far West Meats.”
San Bernardino Mayor Patrick Morris enjoys Far West Hot Links before the FREE Re-Opening Celebration Barbecue on Saturday, July 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at their newly rebuilt location and two-acre parking lot, 7759 Victoria Avenue in Highland. Photo by Carl Dameron
The celebration will have lots of room on the company’s two-acre parking lot. Far West Meats catering department is running the show and Serrato says they have thought of all of the details including: lots of free parking, a shuttle for remote parking, a lost and found, security, free water, shade, live music and lots of bathrooms.
The day’s menu includes: ten varieties of Far West Meats famous hotlinks, ribs, brisket, chicken, hot dogs and burgers and lots of beverages.
The rebuilt location gives Far West Meats the production capacity they need to reclaim lost market share and increase sales. Their meats are available at Food 4 Less, Stater Brothers, El Super, Superior Markets, Smart and Final, Albertson’s and Ralphs and many other southern California grocery stores.
Far West Meats has been a butcher and meat supplier for 90 years, but it wasn’t until the 1980’s that they recognized a demand in inner city locations for smoked sausages or “Hot Links”. “We came up with a Far West Hot Links and it was an immediate success,” said Serrato.
Since then they added 10 flavors of Hot Links as well as a complete line of smoked meats including: turkey legs, wings and necks also pork loins, necks, and hocks. Far West’s products are now sold throughout the Southland all sold with a 100 percent quality and freshness guarantee.
Far West Meats product line includes all cuts of beef, pork, poultry and 10 flavors of their famous Hot Links including hot and mild, pork, chick and beef. Customers can order from the website FarWestMeat.com for shipping anywhere in the United States or for pick up at the Highland location. The website also offers free tips on meat handling, cooking, recipes, and catering.
“Far West Meats stocks only the highest quality grain-fed, naturally aged, trimmed to perfection, Premium Choice Northern California Beef. We also carry the best open-range, steroid-free Chicken and tender lean Pork,” said Serrato.
Far West Meats Grand Re-Opening Barbeque is Saturday July 14, 2012 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“We welcome all meat lovers and well-wishers happy to have Far West Meats back home in Highland. Let’s party!” said Serrato.
For more information please call (909) 864-1990.
Facts Sheet
About Far West Meats – Tom Serrato, President and CEO
Far West Meats is a 90-year-old Highland based Meatpacking Company. Our products are sold throughout the Southland. Product includes many cuts of beef, pork, chicken and seafood as well as their 10 flavors of their famous signature smoked sausages and a complete line of smoked meats. Every product sold is guaranteed 100% for quality and freshness.
• At our peak Far west processes 40 tons of meat a day
• Cost of renovations $3,000,000
• Out of pocket cost $350,000
• Peak Employees 75
• Current Employees 21
• Hiring in next 90 days 23
• Estimated time to return to 75 employees 30 to 180 days
• Building – Square footage 30,000
• Cold storage – Square footage 15,000
• General Contractor C.E.G. Construction workers employed 95
o Sub Contractor So Cal Plumbing – Refrigeration, plumbing and electrical
• Earthquake reinforcement of the roof and walls
• Tours of the building with local fire departments to facilitate continued superior fire fighting on site should the need arise.
• New Refrigeration units for 15,000 square feet of freezers and cold rooms
• New roof and independent roof supports
• New test kitchen and conference room
• New insulation to keep the cold rooms and freezers frozen
• New front offices
• New flooring and floor treatments
• New meat transportation racks
• New smoker room
• New fire sprinkler system with attic sprinklers and 425 heads
• New alarm and video monitoring system
• New staff locker rooms
• New break room
• New doors
• New windows
• New sinks
• New counter tops
• New stainless steel sinks for wash up and prep
• New phone system
• New computer network and wiring
• New Parking structure
• New bathrooms
• New front landscaping
• New paint inside and out
Far West Meats President Thomas Serrato talks bout some of the equipment at the newly rebuild Far West Meatsplant in Highland. From 9 am to 3 pm Saturday, …
“Far West Meats stocks only the highest quality grain-fed, naturally aged, trimmed to perfection, Premium Choice Northern California Beef. We also carry the best …
Far West Meats President Thomas Serrato, explains the scene of the newly rebuilt Far West Meats plant in Highland on June 7. Far West Meats President …
“We have always been in the neighborhood and always with the people,” said Tom Serrato. The Grand Opening BBQ on Saturday July 14, 2012 from 9 am to 3 pm anticipates large crowds and plenty of well wishers happy to have Far West Meats back home in Highland.
(Highland, CA) – Tom Serrato, owner of Far West Meats is hosting a Grand Opening Celebration BBQ on Saturday, July 14, 2012 at their newly rebuilt location at 7759 Victoria Avenue in Highland. After a devastating fire in July of 2010, Far West Meats has been operating out of a temporary location in Colton.
To celebrate the Grand Opening and their return to Highland, Far West Meats will serve complimentary samples of food to the public including hot dogs, ribs, brisket, chicken and burgers on July 14, 2012 from 9 am to 3 pm. These same products will be featured and available for purchase on their web site or at their new neighborhood outlet.
Far West Meats will now be home to operations of over 30,000 square feet. The rebuilding allowed for expansion to accommodate the higher sales volume now anticipated. Since the fire, Far West Meats has been busy planning the new location and developing more products, including a healthier, leaner, and tastier sausage.
“We have responded to customer demand for a quality sausage they can grill at tailgate parties which has less fat and sodium but more flavor. At Far West Meats we say ‘One Bite and We’re Friends For Life’,” said Serrato.
Far West Meats product line includes all cuts of beef, pork, chicken and seafood as well as their smoked sausages.
“When we opened this location in 1978 it came with a smokehouse. At that time we didn’t use it. Sometime in the 1980’s the industry recognized a demand in inner city locations for smoked sausages. We came up with a product that was an immediate success,” said Serrato.
There were two small market chains that early on helped the company sell these products ABC Stores and Boys Markets. Since then they have added 10 flavors as well as a complete line of smoked meats, with Far West’s products now sold throughout the Southland. Every product sold is guaranteed 100% for quality and freshness.
Before the fire, Far West Meats had a limited capacity to serve walk up customers. “Back then we had secretaries trying to answer phones, total orders, and provide customer service. It was a lot and it got crazy sometimes,” remembers Serrato.
In the new location, there will be an expanded customer will call department. Products will be displayed in three sizes of packages with pricing clearly marked. This way a couple could come in and order the smaller sized items already packaged and ready to take home. The medium sized items would be ideal for the family of four, and the largest size would be for the party planners and larger sized families.
Not only will the neighborhood outlet be a part of the actual location but Far West Meats will also expand its website as well. Customers will be able to set up a virtual freezer account.
In their virtual freezer, customers can purchase and stock their freezer and when needed the product it is pulled and shipped for delivery or ready for in-store pick up. A virtual freezer is ideal for non-profit organizations (little leagues, soccer leagues, school booster clubs), which host seasonal events but do not have room for storage as well as for families that do not own home freezers. The expanded website will be consumer friendly and include shipping information to anywhere. In addition customers can sign up for the e-newsletter, which will feature sales specials. Visit the website at www.farwestmeat.com
“We have always been in the neighborhood and always with the people,” said Serrato.
The Grand Opening BBQ on Saturday July 14, 2012 from 9 am to 3 pm anticipates large crowds and plenty of well wishers happy to have Far West Meats back home in Highland.
For Grand Opening information please call (909) 864-1990.
