Customer Feedback We have invited feedback from customers purchasing shares for some years.  The purpose of getting feedback is to see where the program stands in the eyes of the customer, all the while understanding that each has their unique past experience with grocery stores, belief systems, tastes, and cut preferences.  For example, some customers getting the traditional cut  have suggested removing cubed steaks while other have suggested adding more cubed steaks. Until 2011 surveys were a mailed form; this year we used Survey Monkey and the response has been much higher. We use the information obtained at the cutting on rib eye size and marbling, from our taste tests of every calf’s ground beef, and from customers to guide future plans for the program. Features that are changeable are changed; those that are not, we still appreciate the input and hope that change becomes possible in the future.  Here are a couple of examples where change was possible: • One customer who previously ordered said they were not going to order because they couldn’t get bone in steaks with one share.  We matched them on one side of beef with another customer who also wanted bone in steaks. • One customer wanted some roasts made into ground beef and as lean ground beef as possible; we matched them with another customer who preferred the same options. Over the years we’ve used three different processing plants.  For various reasons, there is now only one processor available.  Some changes, such as a different packaging of the beef, is not so easily made because this is determined by the processor. The averages listed below are from 64/125 (51%) of recent customers.   The processor is the same.  It is always possible that customers who were not entirely pleased with the experience or product failed to complete an evaluation, thus biasing the results towards the more satisfied customer.  A ranking of 1 was best (in 2011, a 3 was least good and before that, a 5 was least good). o Keeping customer informed - 1.1 o Entire purchase process - 1.1 o Beef met expectations - 1.1 o Flavor - 1.1 o Tenderness - 1.1 o Packaging - 1.3 o Marbling - 1.1 Individual customer comments, as written in the survey response: • Makes the best hamburgers I’ve ever grilled. • Would like some soup bones (Note:  these can be requested; each bag contains about 5 lb cut bones) • Beef purchase experience works great. • I wish there was a processing plant closer to us.  Otherwise everything is great. • We have gotten the beef for 3 years and love it. • Would eliminate roasts as I don’t use those. • My son doesn’t like hamburger; however, if we give him one of these he eats the whole thing without complaining! • Everything has always worked perfectly and the beef has been wonderful. • The round steaks were very large; it would be better if cut in half and frozen with paper between so they could be separated when frozen.  • You know where your meat came from.  You don’t have to guess like in the grocery store. • We wanted several cuts of meat ground, which they were not.  (Note:  that problem has been solved by better review of the cut request with the butcher at processing). • Delicious. • We had our first filet mignon; it was the most memorable steak we’ve ever eaten. • I would like less fat in the hamburger.  (Note:  this is being remedied, when we know a customer’s preference for lean ground beef, by reviewing the request for as lean ground beef as possible.  This means no added fat to the trim meat, which is what makes up ground beef.) • Years later our boys won’t eat meatloaf unless it’s made with your hamburger. • Excellent flavor and marbling.  Great value for superior product. • The taste of the grilled rib eye is second to none. • A very satisfying way to purchase beef and the flavor is unsurpassed. • Can’t think of any to improve the beef purchase experience unless you move the farm closer to us.  We drive 7 hours one way because of the quality of the meat we get from you.