Going Organic Boosts Local Meat Locker Business

Going Organic Boosts Local Meat Locker Business SPECIALTY/SERVICES Specialty/Services 30-2-8 Organic certification is paying off for Scott Bittner's meat locker in Eureka, Ill. After 12 years of processing local livestock, Bittner just had his operation certified organic. "We were getting lots of new business calls asking for organic meat," says Bittner, who works with local organic producers to fill the orders. Bittner operates a retail meat store as part of his locker plant and offers beef, elk, bison, pork, lamb and venison for sale. He doesn't sell organic in the store yet because the local supply is already spoken for. Two local families who produce livestock under organic guidelines convinced Bittner to apply for certification. They needed a meat processor certified so they could maintain organic status from farm to market. "The Midwest Organic Service Association inspected the building," says Bittner. "We have to process the organic meat first before doing any non-organic meat and have to have paperwork from the producer showing they are certified." Bittner processes organic livestock once a week, but says he could do more if supply increased. There's very little extra paperwork for Bittner, and the process has been worth it . He plans to expand his locker to better accommodate organic and non-organic producers. He will be adding a freezer, a dock for loading semis and smoking equipment to process hams, bacon, beef sticks and snack food. "Every bit of business helps," he says. "For us, it is one more way to diversify." Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Scott Bittner, Bittner Locker, Eureka, Ill. 61530 (ph 309 467-2731; bitt@mtco.com).

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