SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. Since the age of nine, Ray Cattaneo has been perfecting the exact blend of spices and flavors present in each of Ray’s Own Brand fine meat products. Ray and his wife, Nina-Marie, have hand-cut and hand-packed each product, shipped directly from their home and self-built plant in the heart of scenic Edna Valley wine country in San Luis Obispo, Calif.
While all Ray’s sausage, beef jerky and specialty meat products are made with care by Ray himself, the company has grown to truly become its “own brand,” recognized nationally and catching even the attention of baseball team Tampa Bay Rays.
Ray’s jerky has earned its national reputation because it is made from the best quality California top round and is seasoned so it tastes and chews like a “medium-rare steak,” Cattaneo said. Jerky flavors are: original, teriyaki, peppered, hickory smoked, hickory smoked peppered and “hot!” Neighbors often stop by to purchase sausage or jerky from a small sales counter and to admire the masses of roses blooming in the yard.
Sausages come in a variety of flavors as well, and the pork with apple and honey is a favorite “for people who think they don’t like sausage,” Ray Cattaneo said. “We have converted our share of vegetarians with that one.” He also makes bratwurst, linguica, salchicha caballero, Swiss, Italian and hot Italian sausages.
Ray’s Own Brand recently signed on with McLane, the national food distribution giant serving more than 54,000 grocery and food service locations. That means jerky lovers will now find Ray’s Own Brand in convenience stores throughout the Central Valley, with more outlets to come.
Sold locally for years at Spencer’s Fresh Markets, Scolari’s, Food 4 Less and Albertson’s, Ray’s Own Brand is enjoying this major business expansion right now. Ray’s Own Brand recently signed on with McLane, the national food distribution giant serving more than 54,000 grocery and food service locations. That means jerky lovers will now find Ray’s Own Brand in convenience stores throughout the Central Valley, with more outlets to come.
Along with quality products, much of the success is due to the tireless marketing efforts of Ray’s wife, Nina-Marie Cattaneo. “We’ve had our noses to the grindstone throughout this recession,” she said. “When business was slow here, we went out and found it in other places.”
Ray’s Own Brand is now sold in more than 20 Albertson’s supermarkets from Thousand Oaks to Paso Robles, as well as many Ralph’s stores. Ray’s Own sausage is also on the menu at restaurants in San Francisco, Costa Mesa and Isla Vista. There’s even a Snap-On Tool salesman who sells their jerky out of his truck.
Cattaneo is a master of the barbecue, providing catering services for parties and events. He starts a meal by serving up sausages as appetizers, and his wife says that’s where they get their best customer feedback. “They give us an immediate and honest reaction,” she said. “We’ve gotten very good at listening to what they want.”
Business expansion has meant hiring four additional employees. But the Cattaneos keep their hand in all aspects of the business. “It’s hard to let go,” Nina-Marie Cattaneo said, “but we’re starting to delegate because we are selling so much product.”
As a veteran of the Vietnam War, Cattaneo remembers what it was like to be far from home. So, when customers place a jerky order for a soldier overseas, Ray’s Own Brand sends along extra packages with a message to give some to others who go without treats from home.
“It’s just something we do,” Nina-Marie Cattaneo said. “Our small way of saying thanks to the troops.”
Note: Not affiliated or related to Cattaneo Brothers, Inc.
Source: Ray's Own Brand