J&B Meats Makes a Name for Itself in St. Michael

Years ago, when J&B Meats was just starting up and the Reagan Administration was being ushered in, the "No Name" brand was just a myth. 

Legend has it that people would ask the name of the steaks sold at local meat shops, and the butchers would say, "They don't have a name. They're just good." 

And No Name was born. 

Now, No Name, a division of, has put St. Michael on the map in many ways. Devout, carnivorous customers can trace the prime cuts of steak, fresh fish, chicken breasts and even burgers with the "No Name" brand back to the business "dressed" in all white off Highway 241. 

"Over the years, we've invested about $400 million into St. Michael. And we'd like to add on here, again," said Chuck Weum, president of J&B group, and righthand to Bob Hageman, the founder and chair of J&B. "This has just been a great family business that has found its way to a success story." 

Though "No Name" is the most visible portion of J&B's industry, it is by no means the only facet to J&B Group's success. 

The company does $600 million in annual sales through other brands such as Midwest Pride, Bluewave (seafood) and services a nine state area with cold storage and a fleet of trucks. 

In fact, the company's trucking business is growing by leaps and bounds. Michael Altamari, another exec with the company, said trucking orders are coming in by the dozens, from far away, or even as close as Cargill Kitchen Solutions in Monticello. 

"They're coming in unsolicited," he said. 

The goal, by 2015, is to become St. Michael's first "billion dollar" company. 

ORIGINAL KIDS CONTEST

Now, J&B is giving back, through the popularity of its No Name brand. 

The ads can be seen on St. Michael Patch, but here are the details:

No Name Premium Meat & Seafood is looking for the most brag-worthy kids in Minnesota and Wisconsin as part of its No Name Original Kid of the Year^™ contest. The contest is now OPEN and entries will be accepted through March 31, 2012.

One grand prize winner will receive a $3,000 scholarship prize and a $1,000 donation to the winner’s school. Four other finalists will each receive a $1,000 scholarship prize and a $1,000 donation to their school. All finalists also will each win four suite tickets to a Minnesota Twins home game.

To enter, adults are asked to prepare an essay of 100 words or less describing why the brag-worthy child in their life, aged 5 to 18, should be chosen. This year teachers also are encouraged to nominate a qualified student.

Essays will be judged on the basis of creativity, composition and quality and should factor in details about the child, including school performance, community service and involvement in extracurricular activities.

No Name Original Kid of the Year essays and submission forms can be submitted by mail to 13200 43^rd Street NE, St. Michael, MN 55376 or by web atwww.nonameoriginalkid.com. Winners will be announced on April 2, 2012.

Prizes 

• One grand prize winner will receive four suite tickets to the Minnesota Twins home game on April 29, 2012, a $1,000 donation to their school and a $3,000 scholarship prize.
  
  
• Four finalists will each win four suite tickets to the Minnesota Twins home game on April 29, 2012, a $1,000 donation to their school and a $1,000 scholarship prize. 
  
  
• 20 entrants will receive two tickets to a 2012 Minnesota Twins home game.

Original Kid of the Year Contest

 “The No Name Original Kid of the Year contest was created to give deserving kids across Minnesota and Wisconsin the chance to shine,” said Mandy Kennedy, brand manager at No Name. “We know there are tons of incredible kids out there who are doing truly amazing things. We want to hear their stories and reward their good work.”

For more information on contest rules and details, visit NoNameOriginalKid.com.