Puget Sound MeatABOUT US
Over the past twenty years the Southern Puget Sound Region has lost its USDA-inspected slaughter facilities. Farmers needed a dependable, predictable, cost effective slaughter.
The Puget Sound Meat Producers Cooperative (PSMPC) was organized to address this need.
Local ranchers, farmers, butchers, restaurant owners and others came together late 2007 to plan, develop and then manage and operate a mobile, USDA-inspected red meat slaughter facility in the South Puget Sound Region. PSMPC was officially formed in February 2008 and stock ownership offered.
In June 2008 Pierce Conservation agreed to underwrite these efforts and most importantly the PSMPC’s Mobile Meat Processing Unit (MMPU). The 45-foot trailer is designed to meet USDA specifications, WSDA organic slaughter certification and to provide refrigerated storage. The MMPU transports the carcasses following USDA slaughter to a USDA-inspected Cooperative partner cut & wrap facility for dry aging and processing.
The PSMPC MMPU is based in Pierce County and serves producers in Pierce, King, Kitsap, Thurston, Lewis, Mason, Clallam, Jefferson and Grays Harbor Counties.
Operations began in the fall of 2009.
MMPU USDA Operations Capacity: 10-15 Animals per day.
USDA Species Slaughtered Under Inspection: Cattle, Sheep, Pigs and Goats.
USDA WSDA Organic Slaughtered Species: Cattle, Pigs under application.
Currently operates an 8 hour shift one to two times per week using a Contract Slaughter Service Butcher and staff at one of four primary USDA approved MMPU slaughter sites.
March 2009
First Annual Members Meeting is held. Bylaws are ratified.
January 2010
Second Annual Meeting held.
June 2010
All volunteer management installed
October 2010
Third party contract slaughter services confirmed.
January 2011
New business plan approved based on volunteer coop business management and contract services.
February 2011
Third Annual Meeting