Blue River Meats, 1245 W Highway 33, Crete, NE 68333, US

Located in the heart of the Blue Valley in southeast Nebraska, C & C Processing Inc is a family owned and operated business. The owners of C & C Processing, Chad and Courtney Lottman, have built their meat processing business from the ground up. In 1994 at the age of nineteen the Lottmans bought the only grocery store in Chad.s hometown of Diller, Nebraska. Chad and Courtney ran the grocery store for two years until their first addition. Chad had decided to add meat processing to the business. In 1996 a slaughter floor was added and the back of the store was utilized to become a custom exempt plant. Processing deer soon became a booming business for C & C. Due to lack of room and money; all curing and sausage products were sent out to a neighboring plant (Den's Country Meats). As another year passed, Chad decided to add on again, this time adding a processing area and a sausage-making area with a smokehouse. In 1999 again and in early 2001 Chad and Courtney added on again, doubling their plant size. Also, in 2001 C & C Processing became a full USDA Inspected plant. USDA Inspection has allowed for increased business with the distribution in Nebraska and Kansas as well as prospects for larger scale specialized processing of beef and pork. In the summer of 2003 the store was remodeled to include more space for specialty meats and a pleasant shopping atmosphere for customers. The Lottmans have developed their very own line of specialty products called Blue Valley Brand Meats. In 2002 they bought Pony Express Ranch, a product line featuring old-fashioned and hickory smoked meats. Originally owned by the Swim family in Marysville, Kansas, Pony Express Ranch meats feature secret Swim family recipes that have been used for generations. In addition to the facility expansions, BlueValleyBrand.com was created to better serve customers. The website provides a variety of services including product pictures and descriptions, ordering items to be shipped, processing prices and information, cutting instructions, recipes, and more. Chad has served as the State Director for the Nebraska Association of Meat Processors (NAMP), the Cured Meats Committee, and attended many different meat processing and sanitation seminars. Chad and Courtney actively help with and attend both state and national meat association conventions, striving to gain more knowledge and expertise in their industry. They have also won many Cured Meats Awards with their products on the state and national levels. In 2001 Chad and Courtney were the recipients of the Accomplishment Award from the American Association of Meat Processors. In 2004 Chad served as President for NAMP.