FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, August 22, 2011
For more information contact:
Bill Clary
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USDA inspection helps Loretto Custom Meats grow

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Loretto Custom Meats, a family-owned processing facility in Marion County, has seen its customer base grow since it was inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in May.

“This is an example of another Kentucky Proud business that has gone the extra mile to expand its operation,” Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said. “The USDA inspection helps Loretto Custom Meats and gives local producers another processing option. It also benefits the local economy.”

“Some of our current deer customers said that they would bring their beef or pork business to us if we were inspected,” owner Jody Mattingly said. The USDA inspection has enabled Loretto Custom Meats to grow to about 1,500 customers.

The plant processes beef, pork, deer, elk, lamb, and goats to customers’ specifications and smokes summer sausage (beef and deer), sausage sticks, bacon, and ham.

Mattingly raises a herd of Limousin-Charolais cross cattle to finish in his feed lot and process for sale to local restaurants and individual buyers under the Kentucky Proud label. Mattingly typically sells beef in November and guarantees his meat to grade Choice. He also buys hogs from a local producer to harvest and sell to local restaurants, to individuals, and at local farmers’ markets.

Loretto Custom Meats places harvested product in a blast freezer that lowers the temperature to 28 degrees F. “We like to hang everything for at least 14 days, but the meat can hang for 21 days” to cure and tenderize, Mattingly said.

Loretto Custom Meats is open from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Eastern time Monday through Friday and can be opened for drop-offs after hours for customers who call ahead. During deer season, the plant is open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. seven days a week.