Munsell’s Poultry Processing in Howell Township will soon be able process unlimited volumes of poultry under a U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection agreement.
The business, run by Rachel and Matt Munsell, will be one of Michigan’s first large-scale poultry processors: Most poultry raised in Michigan is processed out-of-state, then returned to Michigan’s store shelves.
The Munsell operation is at the heart of Michigan’s growing agriculture industry, which grew from a $91 billion industry in 2010 to a $96 billion industry last year, according to state figures.
Munsell’s Poultry Processing’s customers often raise 50-100 birds per year and sell to family and friends once the chickens are processed, or keep the finished product for themselves. Other customers raise up to 3,000 birds per year and sell to farmers’ markets and restaurants after their birds are processed.
“We have costumers driving two, three hours away to get to us. Everyone wants to know where their food comes from,” Rachel Munsell said.
The couple’s federal grant of inspection means poultry processed at the facility will carry a USDA sticker before it goes to market.
The local facility earlier had a small-enterprise exemption, which limited at 20,000 the number of birds that could be processed each year.
“We were getting close to that, so that’s why we decided to go to the next level, which is federal inspection,” Rachel Munsell said.
“We’ll be bringing business from out of state now, hopefully. That’s our goal,” she added. “We’re actually bringing business into this state.”
The extensive approval process for the new certification required training on humane handling of animals, creation of a “food defense plan,” and several alterations to the facility at 6131 Mason Road.
The Munsells, under the new certification, will begin processing unlimited amounts of poultry 90 days from the end of April.
The business employs 12 people in addition to Rachel and Matt Munsell and has doubled its operation since opening in June 2011. They hire additional workers to handle demand during “fair season” in summer and in November.
Source: MEDC
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