by Julia Gurley
Science teacher Jay Case is taking his interest in environmental science outside of his classroom. He recently earned a license to officially handle meat and can now distribute home harvested meat and poultry.
A meat handler is an individual business that engages in receiving and/or storing, transporting and/or selling meat and/or poultry products.
Being an official meat handler is a lot of work. All of the products that are stored and transported must meet labeling requirements. Each individual meat and poultry product that is sold must bear all the required labeling on the outermost packaging. Processors are not allowed to add designations like ‘grass fed,’ ‘no hormones added,’ ‘100% Angus Beef’ to labels unless approved first. Furthermore, handlers must have appropriate storage facilities, pest control, and transport vehicles that must be approved before they can start distributing products.
Case decided to become a meat handler as a side hobby. His wife will be retiring in a few years, and she will be able to spend more time on the farm.
Now that Case has gotten a license, he can use the meat from his farm MoonDog Farmstead and sell his products at local tailgate markets. He also plans to sell to friends and neighbors. The meats that will be available for purchase include pig, turkey and chicken as well as eggs and honey.
Case’s business is already up and running. He has sold 14 turkeys and 4 hogs in addition to honey. Look for Case and MoonDog Farmstead at the next tailgate market!