NEW RICHLAND — A meat market in this community is receiving accolades for its work at a state convention.

Morgan’s Meat Market, owned by Dean and Barb Morgan, was awarded the prestigious Best in Show award for its wild rice and cranberry summer sausage last month at the Minnesota Association of Meat Processors banquet.

The business also received awards for its jerky, bacon and breakfast links, to name a few.

“To win this, for us, was a great deal,” said Dean.

The Morgans are no stranger to awards at conventions. Since 2007, they have more than five dozen state and national awards hanging on the back wall at the business. This is the first time, however, to receive a Best in Show award — which came with a large trophy.

Dean said he was surprised to find out the meat market received the top honors for its wild rice and cranberry summer sausage as it competes with some of the best sausage makers from Minnesota at the convention. Processors from South Dakota and North Dakota were also invited to attend.

He said he is regularly trying out new recipes, trying to keep their product list fresh, and the wild rice and cranberry option appears to have been popular.

The meat market offers everything from homemade hams to hamburger, summer sausage, bacon and chicken, to name a few items.

With spring weather arriving, he said, the meat market is bringing out more options for brats.

Last week, the meat market unveiled both a cherry bomb and horseradish brat.

Dean said he is also working on a tater tot hot dish brat and a blueberry brat.

“Whatever you think of, you try it,” he said. “The list just goes on with what you can do, but you try to hit everybody’s taste buds.”

He noted the meat market offers more than 40 varieties of brats.

The Morgans, who live between New Richland and Ellendale, bought the meat market in 2003 and have since completed two renovations on the building — one when they first purchased it and one in 2010 after they were flooded.

“If they haven’t been up here since we remodeled, come up,” he said.

Dean has been in the meat market industry since 1985 when he was in Waseca.

Morgan’s Meat Market serves customers from Owatonna, Wells, Albert Lea, Northwood and Wells, among others.

It is at 202 S. Ash Ave. and can be reached by phone at 465-3888.