Who We are
get to know us
At just 19 years old, Dennis purchased the local locker in Table Rock, NE. He had previously worked for the owner who wanted to get out of the business. After careful consideration and support from his parents, Dennis opened Den’s Locker in Table Rock on October 2, 1985, one short year after his high school graduation. The business began with a small processing floor and a few pieces of equipment serving the town of Table Rock with custom processing.
Dennis and Kim were married in 1992 and worked together at Den’s Locker beginning in 1993. The company flourished and Dennis saw the need to grow to better serve Table Rock and surrounding communities. In December 1995, Den’s Country Meats opened at its current location in Table Rock. Den’s is now a USDA inspected plant with custom processed meat, award-winning sausages, and fresh retail meat cuts in the store.
Dennis and Kim’s daughter and son-in-law are also a big part of the business. Seth and Courtney Shreve work as plant managers. Seth tackles the slaughter and meat cutting work and Courtney takes care of marketing and inventory management.
Dennis has won awards for his products at the state, national, and international level. Over the course of 40 years, they believe they have won more than 1,000 awards.
Dennis served as president and Kim as executive secretary of the Nebraska Association of Meat Processors (NAMP) for 10 years. Dennis served the American Association of Meat Processors Board and is the only person to serve that international association twice as president in 2008-09 and earlier in 1996-97.
Together they earned AAMP’s highest honor, the Annual Achievement Award for their work on behalf of others in the industry. They also shared a plaque for AAMP’s Accomplishment Award in 1996 for company growth, new product development and marketing. Then there were the other awards from AAMP like the Golden Cleaver Club Trophy for signing up the most new members for that organization in 1997. Last year, Dennis was inducted into AAMP’s Cured Meat Hall of Fame.
Their daughter Courtney also won an AAMP scholarship to help enhance her skills in agriculture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and earned her degree in three years. Son-in-law Seth Shreve is the current president of the Nebraska Association of Meat Processors.
Dennis and Kim’s efforts to good are not just limited to the meat industry. Dennis has served as president of the 4-H Council and Ag Society, he continues to serve as Table Rock Volunteer Fire Department’s Fire Chief for 30+ years, he has served as the Mayor of Table Rock, and as a Pawnee County Commissioner. Kim has served as president of the high school Fine Arts Board, served as secretary of the library board, was a girl scout leader and a softball coach.
Den’s Country Meats continues to grow and improve to provide quality meat products to its customers. Many thanks to all of our family, friends, and customers who have supported Den’s Country Meats!
IFFA Trade Fair in
the meat industry
IFFA is a prestigious, week-long international competition that takes place every three years in Frankfurt, Germany, and is recognized as the world’s leading meat industry trade fair. For a product to attain gold it must score a perfect 100 points by a panel of judges.
Since 2016 Den’s Country Meats has entered several products and has received many medals.
In 2022, Den’s entered 48 products and received 45 gold and 3 silver medals. Den’s has also won IFFA’s distinguished Cup of Honor.
In 2025, Den’s entered 72 products and received 62 gold, 8 silver, and 1 bronze medal. Den’s received a distinguished Cup of Honor. Den’s Country Meats was named the overall winner of the contest in 2025.
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Ring Bologna Judge’s comments: “perfect product”
- Coarse Ground Hot Dogs
- Bacon
- Summer Sausage
- Summer Sausage w/ Cheese
- Garlic Summer Sausage
- Jalapeno Cheese Summer Sausage
- Smoked Bratwurst
- Swiss Mushroom Bratwurst
- Smoked Pineapple Bratwurst
- Smoked Hocks
- Spicy Honey Garlic Jerky
- Sweet Pepper Jerky
- Jalapeno Jerky
- Big Red Bacon
- Jalapeno Bacon
- Lemon Pepper Flavored Bacon
- Old Fashion Summer Sausage
- Black Pepper Sausage
- Spanish BBQ Jerky
- Boneless Ham
- Bone in Ham
- Apple Sausage
- Mac & Cheese Brat
- Hot Link Sausage
- Polish Sausage
- Cheddar Polish Sausage
- Jalapeno Cheddar Polish Sausage
- Sandwich Bologna
- Dried Beef
- Ground & Formed Jerky
- Slab Jerky
- Den's Original Sticks
- Pineapple Brats
- Canadian Bacon
- Italian Flavored Bacon
- Jalapeno Mac & Cheese Brats
- Hot Links
- Deer Summer Sausage with Jalapeno & Cheese
- Andouille Sausage
- Deer Cheddar Polish
- Deer Ring Bologna
- Hot Honey Jerky
- Cranberry & Jalapeno Summer Sausage
- BBQ Jerky
- Pork Jerky
- Beef Sticks
- Bacon Cheddar Sticks
- Jalapeno Cheese Sticks
- Talladega Sticks
- Hunter Sausage Sticks
- Teriyaki Sticks
- Honey Sticks
- Habanero Sticks
- Cinnamon Flavored Bacon
- Cottage Bacon
- BBQ Flavored Bacon
- Black Pepper Bacon
- Deer Polish
- Smoked Italian and Mozzarella Brats
- Chili Cheese Dogs
- Bone-In Smoked Pork Loin
- Deer Italian Mozzarella Brats
- Ground & Formed Sweet Pepper Jerky
- Semi Bone-In Ham
