THE RUEST FAMILY

The Ruest Family, having a deep love for good quality food and entrepreneurship bought Bacon Scouts in 2023. Bacon Scouts has been in business for 9 years. After working with Haen Meat we knew it was a no brainer to onboard the Schmidt family with the Meat Block because we share the same family and business values and wanted the rest of the country to experience not just your normal every day store bought bacon, but good quality gourmet bacon that can only be experienced in the midwest or farm country! We are responsible for getting the gourmet bacon the Schmidt family produces with The Meat Block to your table!

When the Ruests aren’t managing Bacon Scouts, you’ll find us both working at our Church in Brighton Colorado and we do it as a family! The boys run cameras every Sunday, Mike manages the communications department and Heather produces media for the media department.

At Bacon Scouts, we believe in the power of small businesses to bring communities together, one delectable strip of gourmet bacon at a time. Our values are rooted in quality, creativity, and a genuine love for our craft. We prioritize local sourcing and sustainable practices, ensuring that every bite supports local farmers. Transparency and integrity guide our operations, as we strive to create an honest relationship with our customers. We embrace innovation, infusing playful flavors into our products to delight taste buds and spark joy. By championing small business values, we not only nourish your cravings but also cultivate a sense of community and connection. Join us on this scrumptious journey, and let's celebrate the rich tapestry of flavors that small businesses can offer!

The Schmidt Family

The Meat Block is much more than just a business to the Schmidt family, it is a way of life. After nearly 20 years of experience in the meat market, Phil and his wife Vicki decided it was time to merge Phil’s knowledge and passion for quality meats and food with their family values. This includes the importance of sharing a meal together as a family.

In 2021, Phil’s lifelong mentor, Tim Haen, one of four brothers who owned Haen Meat, approached them about his succession plan. Haen Meat was established as a family-owned and operated business in 1959. The company has earned over 370 State, National, and State Fair awards, including 10 Best of Shows—the highest award given by the Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors in their Cured Meat Product Competition. Even before their merger, the Meat Block was a highly award-winning artisan butcher with hundreds of awards too long to list for this page.

The Schmidt family considers the opportunity to purchase and merge with Haen Meat a surreal experience granted by God’s grace and believes that each person can make a difference in the world. Their business is built on faith, trust in God, and a passion to bring the very best in high-quality meats and food items to the family table. Here at Bacon Scouts, we are honored to be working with this amazing family and share its amazing bacon!