Niman Ranch

A Pacific Community Ventures Portfolio Company

Mike McConnell, CEO
Oakland and Marin County, California
www.nimanranch.com

Niman Ranch is a leading producer and marketer of fine quality beef, lamb, and pork. Niman Ranch raises its stock following a strict code of ecological and husbandry principles and also supports small family farms using the same practices. Livestock are humanely treated, fed the purest natural feeds (with no animal by-products or waste), never given growth hormones or sub-therapeutic antibiotics, and raised on land that is cared for as a sustainable resource. By working with a network of small family farmers, Niman can control its meat all the way from the farm until it reaches its customers. Shipping or delivering directly from its processing facilities, Niman Ranch distributes its products to fine restaurants and retailers across the country, and directly to consumers via an online store.

Niman's packing plant is located in an Enterprise Zone in East Oakland where it provides good jobs to approximately 100 residents of low-income Bay Area communities. On average, these employees earn $13.92 per hour (higher than San Francisco's Minimum Compensation Ordinance) and remain with the business for greater than two years. Niman provides health care for all of these employees, paying 100% of the cost of this coverage. Additionally, these employees are eligible for a 401(k) to which Niman provides a company-funded contribution.

Pacific Community Ventures and Niman Ranch began working together in mid-2001. Based on its business model, growth path and hiring practices, PCV admitted Niman to its advised portfolio. At that time, PCV matched Niman up with a volunteer business advisor to help the company develop its human resource practices. Shortly thereafter, PCV invested as a part of Niman's Series B round of financing.

Most recently, in partnership with Lenders for Community Development, PCV brought its new workforce support initiative--Individual Development Accounts--to Niman Ranch employees. Through this IDA program, qualified Niman Ranch employees will go through a financial management training program, save up to $2,000 over three years towards higher education, retirement, or a new home, and have those savings matched with up to $4,000 in philanthropic funds.

Niman Ranch has been included on the Inc. Magazine Inner City 100 list of fastest growing inner-city based companies in America for four consecutive years (2002-2005).

Pacific Community Ventures Fund Profile