Sixth-generation farm family from Stockton reopens Hays market as Bigg E Meats

(The following article was taken in part from the June 2nd edition of the Hays Post, and was written by Cristina Janney.)

Stephen and Melissa Bigge have taken ownership of the former Warren's Meat Market in Hays, operating under HYPERLINK "https://www.facebook.com/BiggEMeats" Bigg E Meats, 1010 E. 29th.

Stephen Bigge is the sixth generation farming family that has land near Stockton, and his family have both a crop and a ranch operation in Rooks County. The Bigges had been selling quarter, halves and whole beef off their farm and had an interest in ramping up farm-to-customer selling prior to the pandemic. Stephen and Melissa are now realizing this plan by purchasing the meat market in Hays.

After some remodeling, Bigg E Meats reopened in mid-April under the Bigges’ ownership, and will carry both meat raised from their farm and freshcut boxed meat from wholesalers. The farmfresh meat is raised on the Bigges' farm, as well as on a farm owned by Stephen's college roommate.

The Bigges' farm beef is grass-fed and grain-finished and is dry-aged for fourteen days, whereas much of the meat that comes from large packing plants is finished through a quicker process known as wet-aging. Stephen Bigge said the dry-aging enhances the flavor. Bigge said the boxed meats' quality is comparable to other meat retailers in the community. "We all strive to turn out a quality product," he said.

Stephen Bigge stated the meat market provides a different level of service compared to bigbox grocery stores. Bigge acknowledged food is a large percentage of families' incomes and said he wants to be competitive. "We want to provide locally-sourced products at an affordable price," he said.

In addition to HYPERLINK "https://www.facebook.com/LetitRiseLLC" Let It Rise bread mixes from Hays, HYPERLINK "https://www.facebook.com/TommySuesHOMEMADENOODLES" Tommy Sues Homemade Noodles, HYPERLINK "https://www.facebook.com/Beckys-Bierocks-193628126719" Becky's Bierocks from St. Francis, and HYPERLINK "https://www.facebook. com/jacksgourmetseasoning" Jack's Gourmet Seasoning from Russell, the store is now carrying HYPERLINK "https://almacheese.com/" Alma Cheese and HYPERLINK "https://www.facebook.com/papabaldys" Papa Baldy's popcorn made in McPherson. Bigge is already working with a family in Ohio to bring in maple syrup.

"As we continue to learn and refine the recipes and add new products, we hope to get to the point where we're a local source for regionally-produced products," Stephen Bigge said.

"Ultimately, our goal is to tell the story of agriculture — where food comes from and how it gets to the table," Melissa Bigge said.

The store also carries deli items, such as ham salad, chicken salad and raw burger, and specialty items like Rocky Mountain oysters and a variety of fresh-ground brats and sausages that are made on site. The Bigges also take special requests, such as liver for pets or bones for broth.

Melissa said she thought the pandemic has brought to light the need for local food sources, such as local meat markets.

Stephen said it's important to support local farmers and ranchers, because it is not an easy lifestyle.

"A lot of the farm-fresh meat we have in the cooler right now is stuff that I raised," Stephen said. "I know when the animals were born. I know how they were taken care of and how they were raised. I know when I took them to get processed and that they were processed humanely."

Bigg E Meats can be reached at 785-625-4902 or by email at biggemeats@gmail.com. Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturdays.

Stephen is the son of Ruth Ann and the late Tom Bigge of Stockton.