When Stephanie Hoff of the Midwest Farm Report visited MSABD this past December, she talked with Plant Operations Manager Dillon Walker about the growth of MSABD’s retail outlet, Bucky’s Varsity Meats. The Midwest Farm Report is broadcast on FM and AM radio across nearly all of Wisconsin and carries a variety of agricultural themed content. The interview started with a recap of the store’s successful model, popular with loyal customers, in which animals come mostly from research and teaching projects and products are made by undergraduate students gaining valuable experience.

Building off that, Bucky’s Varsity Meats has recently expanded into the UW-Madison Eagle Heights apartment complex. Dillon explained that a lot of other University students are discovering the store and are pleasantly surprised by what they find. MSABD has long suspected that the opening of the nearby Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center would increase foot traffic in the area and into the store. On top of that, many people have experienced the new Bucky’s Varsity Meats concession stand, which sells hamburgers and brats on game day at Camp Randall Stadium. According to Dillon, Bucky’s Varsity Meats is now working with grocery stores in the Madison area to carry Bucky’s Varsity Meats products. As word of the store spreads on campus and in the greater Madison community, Bucky’s Varsity Meats will continue to help educate about where our food comes from and provide wholesome, safe to eat, meat products.

To listen to Dillon’s interview, please visit: https://www.midwestfarmreport.com/2023/12/29/varsity-meats-grows-brand-student-interest/