DENVER, Colo. (Feb. 27, 2009) — Maverick Ranch, pioneers in natural and organic meats, has announced a joint venture between its owners, the Moore family and Heritage Acres Foods.

“Faced with very soft sales over the last two quarters in our higher priced proteins and a challenging banking climate amidst the economic recession, we are forced to make immediate changes to the company which includes a layoff of staff and one plant closure,” said Maverick Ranch Vice President, Charlie Moore.

The 23-year old company is joining forces so that the Maverick Ranch brand is licensed to and operated and marketed under the Heritage Acres Foods, LLC umbrella. “This licensing agreement ensures that all orders will continue to be fulfilled and allow opportunities for future growth,” said Moore. On future sales, a licensing royalty will be paid for the benefit of Maverick Ranch Associations, (Inc.) creditors.

The Maverick brand includes Natural and Organic Beef, Natural Pork, Natural Buffalo and a complete line of Uncured Ham, Franks, Bacon and Sausage. Rex and Charlie Moore, both family founders of Maverick Ranch, through this new alliance, will continue to manage and grow the brand through direct selling, brand management and marketing.

“Our broker network and loyal retail customers remain intact and will continue to get the same great service and product quality,” Moore said. “Our case ready products will continue to be made in one of our family owned facilities.”

Additionally, the Moore’s have licensed the Maverick Ranch brand of Air-Chilled Natural Chicken and its Water-Chilled Organic Chicken to Boulder Natural Meats. These high quality lines will continue to be case ready and/or bulk packed in our certified organic facility here in Denver, just as before. These chicken products will be distributed in tandem with all other Maverick Ranch brand products.

Heritage Acres Foods, LLC is a Pleasant Hope, Mo. based group of diversified livestock farmers.

“We are very excited about working with the Moore family,” said Heritage Acres CEO Joe Maxwell. “Maverick Ranch is the nation’s most respected brand in the Natural and Organic category, and our alliance continues the history of a family farmer/rancher operation as it always has been. We feel that this is an important attribute that consumers appeal to in this industry of international and mega corporations. The ranchers of Maverick Ranch compliment the farmers of Heritage Acres and the dairymen of New Country Farms.”