Meat and Poultry Distributors and Wholesalers Basics

Meat and poultry distributors and wholesalers basics help you understand today's meat making process

Meat wholesalers and poultry wholesalers are an important link in today's meat making process. The days of going to a butcher for all your meat needs - butchering, processing and sales - are long gone. Instead, meat leaves the farm and goes to a meat packing plant before it is sent to retailers.

As the middle man in the meat business, meat packing plants act as wholesale meat suppliers, usually selling large cuts of meat to retail butchers, wholesale companies and food manufacturers. Like the wholesale companies, the packing plants can act as meat distributors, cutting and packaging the meat for sale to supermarkets. Today's meat and poultry distributors and wholesalers consider consumer concerns when processing meat.

1. Will the meat supplier provide organic or natural meat?

2. Will the meat supplier offer local meat?

3. Is the meat from the meat supplier safe?

4. Can the meat supplier put out convenience cuts?

 

Provide health-friendly options through meat suppliers

People today want meat that is more than just substance. They want products that are the most healthy. Organic meats are free of additives, hormones or pesticides. Finding a local supplier not only has the appeal of supporting the local economy, but it also is a great source for organic foods. Meat processors who are state inspected can sell within the state. A federally inspected company is the only kind that can sell interstate. Finding a state inspected meat processor ensures that meat was made close to home.
Try: Vantage USA is a meat supplier of organic and natural meats. The Eat Well Guide is a great source for finding local suppliers.

Consider the safety of the meat from the wholesale meat suppliers

All food businesses that produce meat are subject to inspection. Animals are inspected for disease. Facilities must be clean and well maintained. Meat is then sampled and checked for correct labeling. These and other regulations help to abate any food safety concerns from meat suppliers.
Try: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has a meat and poultry hotline that answers any question on meat safety. The USDA helps to enforce and monitor meat safety by creating laws and processes that govern the processing of meat. The Food Safety and Inspection Service provides lists of federally inspected meat packing plants.

Offer meat ready to eat from meat suppliers

In a busy society we have two income families or singles on the go, and ready-to-cook foods are very appealing. Meat and poultry distributors and wholesalers have caught onto the market demands and offer more and more convenience products. Skinless, boneless chicken, and pre-cut beef are only a few of the many choices that are packaged and retail-ready direct from the distributor.
Try: Hearn Kirkwood processes portioned, custom packaged meats tailored to the retailers' desires. Ordering from Hearn Kirkwood will give you prime cuts of cut-to-order meats. Fair Oaks Cattle Company provides custom cuts of grass-fed beef.

 

• Meat must be marked to prove it has been inspected. The mark contains the facility number of the meat supplier. Look for the mark to make sure meat has been produced under the federal safety and inspection guidelines.

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