I wanted to post an update to my recent post about our new adventure that would include being licensed to sell farm-raised meat from our home. We recently were "inspected" if you want to call it that.
First of all, a little background on the process: I spoke with the department of inspections and appeals to find out what was required to be able to sell meat from your home. There is very little to absolutely no info on this available online unless your are actually producing the product yourself. I was told you have to have a warehouse license and they emailed me an application, which included absolutely no instructions or requirements.
Secondly, in the past few months while attempting to "get everything ready", I made 2 more calls to the department in an attempt to obtain more info on any requirements and both times I was told that the only requirement is a working freezer separate from our own use products.
That was fine, we purchased a small freezer set up in our garage (this is what one gentleman at the dept. said most people do) on our farm and a couple weeks ago sent our application in with the $67.50 fee required for one year. When I received our letter stating who our inspector was and his number, I called to set up the inspection. I again asked if there were any specific requirements I should know to have in place for inspection. He told me there wasn't much to it other than a working freezer. Ok, fine.
He showed up last Monday, as expected, and was a less than friendly person right off the bat. Secondly, he looked at the freezer and said his concern was that we use the garage for other uses such as parking cars! No kidding! Don't most people? About that time our dog (yellow lab) looked out the door to see who was here and the man said "you have pets?" I said "yes, we do live on a farm and it's not like the dog will be in the freezer or the car touching the inside of it". He probably thought I was being rude, but I was flabbergasted!! He then stated that the freezer has to be in an area free of other activities and pets!! I was in shock! I darn near fell on the floor! No wonder more people don't attempt to do this.
Needless to say we flunked inspection for the time being and unless we build a "room" for the freezer by itself, will never pass. Don't get me wrong, because I do believe in food safety. That being said, I think some of the rules are a little outrageous. Also, if they would have told me the rules on one of the 4 times I spoke with them before sending the application and my fee, I wouldn't have even bothered. Sounds to me like a way for them to make money without having to do much but show up once to say you are denied.
I am still a little steamed- ok I am a lot steamed- about the whole thing as I have spent $255 to date to get things ready and apply. We are still mulling over whether or not it would be worth it at all to spend more money on the "room" and risk being denied again for some stupid reason. And yes, I do think the reasons stated are just plain stupid. I hate when people are not honest in the first place, which I feel is exactly what has happened here.
Not sure what regulations are like in other states, but I have heard that some don't have any at all for such ventures. I will not let this setback get us down, but we have some more thinking to do as to what our next step will be.
Hope everyone has a great week as always!
First of all, a little background on the process: I spoke with the department of inspections and appeals to find out what was required to be able to sell meat from your home. There is very little to absolutely no info on this available online unless your are actually producing the product yourself. I was told you have to have a warehouse license and they emailed me an application, which included absolutely no instructions or requirements.
Secondly, in the past few months while attempting to "get everything ready", I made 2 more calls to the department in an attempt to obtain more info on any requirements and both times I was told that the only requirement is a working freezer separate from our own use products.
That was fine, we purchased a small freezer set up in our garage (this is what one gentleman at the dept. said most people do) on our farm and a couple weeks ago sent our application in with the $67.50 fee required for one year. When I received our letter stating who our inspector was and his number, I called to set up the inspection. I again asked if there were any specific requirements I should know to have in place for inspection. He told me there wasn't much to it other than a working freezer. Ok, fine.
He showed up last Monday, as expected, and was a less than friendly person right off the bat. Secondly, he looked at the freezer and said his concern was that we use the garage for other uses such as parking cars! No kidding! Don't most people? About that time our dog (yellow lab) looked out the door to see who was here and the man said "you have pets?" I said "yes, we do live on a farm and it's not like the dog will be in the freezer or the car touching the inside of it". He probably thought I was being rude, but I was flabbergasted!! He then stated that the freezer has to be in an area free of other activities and pets!! I was in shock! I darn near fell on the floor! No wonder more people don't attempt to do this.
Needless to say we flunked inspection for the time being and unless we build a "room" for the freezer by itself, will never pass. Don't get me wrong, because I do believe in food safety. That being said, I think some of the rules are a little outrageous. Also, if they would have told me the rules on one of the 4 times I spoke with them before sending the application and my fee, I wouldn't have even bothered. Sounds to me like a way for them to make money without having to do much but show up once to say you are denied.
I am still a little steamed- ok I am a lot steamed- about the whole thing as I have spent $255 to date to get things ready and apply. We are still mulling over whether or not it would be worth it at all to spend more money on the "room" and risk being denied again for some stupid reason. And yes, I do think the reasons stated are just plain stupid. I hate when people are not honest in the first place, which I feel is exactly what has happened here.
Not sure what regulations are like in other states, but I have heard that some don't have any at all for such ventures. I will not let this setback get us down, but we have some more thinking to do as to what our next step will be.
Hope everyone has a great week as always!
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