FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Why did the cooperative get started?
A: Puget Sound region meat producers joined to address the critical need for local USDA-inspected meat production to serve small & mid-sized farmers & ranchers & meet the increasing demand for local, safe & humanely-produced meat products.
Q: How does the cooperative work?
A: Producer Members include local livestock producers, meat fabricators & end-users working together to produce USDA-inspected meat products for local sale & use.
Q: What is a Mobile Meat Processing Unit?
A: The PSMPC Mobile Meat Processing Unit (MMPU) is a 45-foot trailer designed to meet USDA specifications which processes the animals, then transports the animal carcasses to a cooperative partner cut & wrap facility for further processing.
Q: How does the MMPU operate?
A: The MMPU is self-contained and is manned with a crew of trained processing personnel to include a USDA inspector.
Q: Is the unit Certified Organic?
A: Yes, PSMPC is certified organic by the WSDA and can process organic beef.
Q: How much does it cost for a Member to use the MMPU?
A: Processing fees are comparable to custom slaughter rates and vary according to the animal being processed. Fabrication rates are market-competitive.
Q: How does a Member access the MMPU for processing his/her animals?
A: Two ways: a Member can pre-book processing slots at the beginning of each year; or schedule as needed throughout the year.
Q: Who owns the meat produced by the MMPU?
A: The livestock producer member retains ownership of the meat during processing, unless some other arrangements have been made by the livestock producer.
Q: How does a Member access cooperative-produced meat products?
A: Cooperative membership is comprised of livestock producers, meat fabricators, and end-users who network with each other to market & distribute co-op meats.
Q: Does the Cooperative market the meat for the livestock producer?
A: No. The cooperative will help its producer members locate and connect with purchasers of their meat products but does not act as a sales agent for its members.
Q: What are the primary benefits of Cooperative membership for producers?
A: Access to local USDA-inspected meat processing resources, local networking opportunities to build strong local business relationships, increased profits from cutting transportation costs, increased profits from selling value-added products.
Q: Why is it beneficial to join PSMPC?
A: Joining PSMPC provides access to the MMPU and the products that cooperative members produce. |
Puget Sound Meat