Meat shop promotes meat science education.

Leif Larsen July 18, 2023 Science

Introducing the Loeffel Meat Shoppe: A Local Outlet for Quality Meat Products

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – The Loeffel Meat Shoppe inside UNL’s Animal Science building gives consumers another local outlet to buy quality meat products.

A Century-Long Legacy of Meat Science at UNL

We caught up with Gary Sullivan, an associate professor of animal science, to talk about the store and the Loeffel Meat Laboratory. According to Sullivan, the meat science program at UNL has a rich history that dates back to 1919 when Professor Loeffel, the lab’s namesake, became the university’s first meat scientist. For over a century, UNL has been dedicated to teaching, training, research, and outreach in the field of meat science, with a primary goal of serving the needs of the state.

A Land-Grant University Tradition

Sullivan emphasizes that UNL’s meat laboratory and retail arm, the Loeffel Meat Shoppe, play a crucial role in supporting the land-grant mission. Being a USDA inspected meat facility allows them to sell the products they produce. The staff and faculty, along with undergraduate students, work together to ensure the meat laboratory operates smoothly. The students gain valuable hands-on experience, while the shoppe helps offset the costs associated with running the program.

A Wide Range of Products and Services

Located on the southwest corner of the Animal Science Complex on UNL’s East Campus, the Loeffel Meat Shoppe is open to the public every Friday from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Their offerings include a variety of fresh meat products, such as beef, pork, lamb, and goat, most of which are available frozen. In addition, they provide processed meat products that serve as training tools for the students. Notably, their Jalapeno Popper Brats have received prestigious recognition, winning the title of “best brat” twice at national animal science meetings. The shoppe also produces smoked sausages, bacon, ham, snack sticks, and supplies meat and cheese boxes to the Dairy Store.