who we are?
At just 19 years old, Dennis purchased the local locker in Table Rock, NE. He had previously worked for the owner who wanted to get out of the business. After careful consideration and support from his parents, Dennis opened Den’s Locker in Table Rock on October 2, 1985, one short year after his high school graduation. The business began with a small processing floor and a few pieces of equipment serving the town of Table Rock with custom processing.
Dennis and Kim were married in 1992 and worked together at Den’s Locker beginning in 1993. The company flourished and Dennis saw the need to grow to better serve Table Rock and surrounding communities. In December 1995, Den’s Country Meats opened at its current location in Table Rock. Den’s is now a USDA inspected plant with custom processed meat, award-winning sausages, and fresh retail meat cuts in the store.
Dennis and Kim raised their children, Courtney, Colton and Clayton in the family business. All three continue to help their parents by delivering meat, covering the cash register, switching the smokehouses or doing whatever needs to be done. Son-in-law Seth joined the team full-time in 2020 and daughter-in-law Megan helps during deer season.
Dennis and Kim have always found the importance of serving the meat industry. Dennis has served on the American Association of Meat Processors (AAMP) board of directors serving as President in 1996 and 2009. Dennis and Kim received the Accomplishment Award in 1996, the AAMP Outstanding Service Award in 2007, and the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019. Dennis and Kim served as secretary and treasurer of the Nebraska Association of Meat Processors (NAMP) for ten years, keeping up with government policies and planning and hosting the NAMP convention and workshops for processors to attend. Dennis also served on the NAMP board of directors for several years and served as president in 1994.
Dennis has won awards for his products at the state, national, and international level. Most recently, Dennis entered 48 products into the IFFA international cured meats competition and came away with 45 gold medals and 3 silver medals.
Dennis and Kim’s efforts to good are not just limited to the meat industry. Dennis has served as president of the 4-H Council and Ag Society, he continues to serve as Table Rock Volunteer Fire Department’s Fire Chief for 30+ years, he has served as the Mayor of Table Rock, and as a Pawnee County Commissioner. Kim has served as president of the high school Fine Arts Board, served as secretary of the library board, was a girl scout leader and a softball coach.
Den’s Country Meats continues to grow and improve to provide quality meat products to its customers.
Many thanks to all of our family, friends, and customers who have supported Den’s Country Meats!
IFFA
IFFA is a prestigious, week-long international competition that takes place every three years in Frankfurt, Germany, and is recognized as the world’s leading meat industry trade fair. For a product to attain gold it must score a perfect 100 points by a panel of judges.
Since 2016 Den’s Country Meats has entered several products and has received many medals. In 2022, Den’s entered 48 products and received 45 gold and 3 silver medals. Den’s has also won IFFA’s distinguished Cup of Honor.
Products receiving medals include
- Ring Bologna (judge’s comments “perfect product”)
- Coarse Ground Hot Dogs
- Bacon
- Summer Sausage
- Summer Sausage w/Cheese
- Garlic Summer Sausage
- Jalapeno Cheese Summer Sausage
- Smoked Bratwurst
- Swiss Mushroom Bratwurst
- Smoked Pineapple Bratwurst
- Apple Sausage
- Mac & Cheese Brat
- Hot Link Sausage
- Polish Sausage
- Cheddar Polish Sausage
- Jalapeno Cheddar Polish Sausage
- Sandwich Bologna
- Dried Beef
- Ground & Formed Jerky
- Slab Jerky
- BBQ Jerky
- Pork Jerky
- Beef Sticks
- Bacon Cheddar Sticks
- Jalapeno Cheese Sticks
- Talladega Sticks
- Hunter Sausage Sticks
- Teriyaki Sticks
- Honey Sticks
- Habanero Sticks