Rouses, Columbus Form Exclusive Partnership

Louisiana-based Rouses Markets has formed an exclusive partnership with Columbus deli meats, with the company’s Artisanal line to replace the Boar’s Head brand in the grocer’s stores.

"Our customers live to eat," said Donny Rouse, managing partner of his family's company. "Columbus turkey, ham, chicken and roast beef are the best tasting, most flavorful deli meats we've ever tried. This line deserves to be in our deli case next to our great local brands like Chisesi and Manda, and our own Rouses line of premium deli meats."

Rouse expects customers to love Columbus the same way he does. "Our customers want to feel special. Ten years ago, Boar's Head was what's best, but now you can find the same Boar's Head meats pretty much anywhere."

Columbus uses whole cuts of premium meat, with spices and herbs that are hand-rubbed, never injected. The meats are naturally slow-roasted with imported wood from the Black Forest in Germany, then chilled to lock in flavor. The entire line is 100% gluten free, 0% trans fat, and contains no artificial flavors, fillers, MSG or nitrates. Columbus sliced-to-order deli meats will be sold exclusively at Rouses within the grocer's footprint.

Rouses Markets is one of the largest independent grocers in the United States. Owned and operated by a second and third generation of the Rouse family, the company has 38 locations in two states, and employs over 5,400 team members.