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FRANKFORT, Ky. — Hampton Meats of Hopkinsville has joined the Kentucky Proud marketing network of producers.
“The Kentucky Department of Agriculture is elated to have Hampton Meats and Ernie Hampton and his staff as part of the Kentucky Proud family,” said Warren Beeler, assistant director of the KDA’s Division of Value-Added Animal and Aquaculture Production.
“Kentucky Proud means produced and/or processed in Kentucky,” Beeler said. “When you buy Kentucky Proud, you’re buying fresh, nutritious foods made right here at home. You’re also keeping your food dollars in the state.”
Hampton Meats has been selling meat and produce in Hopkinsville for 30 years. Owner Ernie Hampton stocks a retail meat case at the business on U.S. 41 just south of the Pennyrile Parkway that has most every cut desired. Hampton Meats also offers custom processing and distribution. It processes nearly 10,000 animals a year and employs approximately 30 people.
One of Hampton Meats’ most popular products is the Uncle Bummy’s smoked sausage, which is named for Hampton’s father. Hampton purchases 25 to 30 hogs per week locally from Allen Frank, one of Kentucky’s most respected pork producers. Hampton also supplies pork shoulders to many of the barbecue shacks for which western Kentucky is well-known.
A unique part of Hampton’s business is a new venture brought about by the increase in the nation’s ethnic population, which in turn has increased the demand for goat and lamb meat. Twice a week order buyer Eddie Bennet will purchase 130 to 200 sheep and goats for Hampton’s and have them blessed by a Muslim clergyman before being harvested and shipped to Nashville, Tenn.
“It sure doesn’t take long to see how doing business with Ernie Hampton could become a habit,” said Beeler. “It’s that effort to put his customers’ needs first that has enabled Hampton Meats to get the business and keep the business.”
Kentucky Proud is the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s marketing program for farm products that are grown, raised or processed in the Bluegrass State. More than 500 producers are members of the program. For more information about Kentucky Proud, call the KDA’s marketing office at (502) 564-4983 or go to www.kyproud.com.
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