NORWALK, Iowa – Officials with the charcuterie-style cured meat processor, La Quercia, announced that it has added its sliced Americano line of prosciutto products to its growing portfolio of products made from non-GMO pork that complies with the Global Animal Partnership (GAP) Step 3 standards. By carrying the label, the Americano line affirms the products come from pigs that are raised in an enriched environment and have unrestricted daytime access to living outdoors and that they are handled humanely in a low-stress environment.

La Quercia’s other products that carry the same claims include its Prosciutto Piccante, Speck Americano and Pancetta Americano. The company’s Ridgetop Prosciutto, which is produced exclusively for Whole Foods, maintains a GAP Step 4 rating as it is pasture raised outdoors at farms in Missouri and Kentucky. 

La Quercia also has a pasture-raised line of products called Ridgetop Prosciutto which is exclusive to Whole Foods. The pork has a GAP rating of Step 4 and is pasture raised outdoors on wooded ridgetops and hillsides at family farms in Missouri and Kentucky. Sourcing its products from producers that are audited by third parties to ensure compliance with the GAP standards is a priority for La Quercia.
 
“We are proud to purchase a majority of our pork from farmers whose husbandry has been third party audited by GAP’s 5 Step Program,” said co-founder Herb Eckhouse, adding that 75 percent of its pork is GAP certified and 53 percent of it is at least Step 3 rated.

“We are always looking for the best quality meat we can find, and this project represents a big step forward in our ability to introduce the finest cured meats produced with humane treatment to animals and minimal environmental impact.” 
 
The company’s pre-sliced prosciuttos are available at retailers throughout the US, including Hy-Vee, Kroger and Whole Foods as well as Murray’s Cheese and Zingerman’s.