For nearly fifty years Niman Ranch has be providing great meat for their clients. In the 1970s, Niman Ranch began as a small eleven-acre ranch in a small coastal town north of San Francisco, California. It was there that they practiced traditional ways of raising their animals that were often seen as old-fashioned. Their animals were given only natural feeds with no byproduct of animals. This process allowed Niman Ranch to become a local fan favorite at many local grocery stores and select restaurants in the Bay Area. Niman ranch decided to expand to pork in 1995. Still they kept the same standard for pork farmers as they did with their lamb and cattle farmers. Through this expansion of the company, Niman Ranch came into contact with Paul Willis who became the manager for the more than six hundred and fifty farms and ranchers throughout America. The meat company created the largest network of United States family farmers and ranchers. Each and every farmer and rancher in the network of Niman Ranch meets the set of raising standards for animals provided by the company. Awarded when they meet the standards, the farmers work diligently to humanely produce their lamb, cattle or pig. Niman ranch believes that their animals should not be treated like meat, but as pets when they are alive. The transparency of Niman Ranch’s farmers and ranchers helps gain more clients. Many chefs, storeowners and restaurants who are interested in how their meat is treated while being raised, can go to a Niman Ranch farm and see how the treatment of animals is above par. Animals are allowed to be just that, animals. They lay out and enjoy the warmth of the sun, they graze on beautifully green pastures and have a great life on the Niman Ranch farm. Animals often can be seen laying on their bedded pens as well. At no time are the animals given any type of antibiotic or a growth hormone or synthetic. Niman Ranch only feeds vegetarian feed to create a tastier and healthier product for their client.