So, we've covered the (soon to be) three USDA slaughter plants that will operating in Southcentral.
Currently, Mt. McKinley Meat & Sausage is the only facility open to the public, and a number of producers are pretty happy to see the plant in private hands. The new owner also operates Rocket Ranch in Palmer on Lazy Mtn, and Mike's Quality Meats in Eagle River. If you listen to local radio, chances are pretty good you've heard their ads, touting all sorts of meat, products and sales.
The coming MMM&S competition? Not so much!
The competition (Denali Meat Company) is owned, in part, by Nate Burris who operates Mat Valley Meats in the Valley, and Butcher Block No. 9 in Anchorage, a specialty butcher shop with an extensive line of products. With no date released for the new plant as yet, it is a safe bet that DMC will process for these two businesses when it comes on line.
ADN article on the subject here: ADN article, 7-27-2017
And in the middle?
Why, the gentleman quoted in the article, one Scott Mugrage. He is a transplant who has landed big on the Alaska farming/ranching scene, who aided the Alaska Farm Bureau during the original privatization talks, and who likes rubbing shoulders with Governor Walker. From his acreage in the Delta area, he supplies MVM (and they advertise Misty Mountain beef), which must be processed at MMM&S for that necessary-and sometimes problematic-USDA stamp.
Will he stay with DMC and MVM? Or jump onto the direct slaughter bandwagon at MMM&S and MQM to fill the need as owner Greg G describes?
Stay tuned, there is sure to be mischief and mayhem to come.
10 comments:
Remember everything you buy at all THREE places is "Alaska Grown"! The cheapest we have had prices EVER! come and get IT! Wonder how it got so cheap direct from CANADA! Scott Mugrage is a JOKE! With his comments in the ADN about the imports there is nobody to police them and they know this that is why the "Alaska Grown Beef and Pork" has become so cheap! These guys should be ashamed of there selves!
Bye Bye Small Alaska Livestock Producer! If you believe this your a complete idiot the DOA is the reason there is no large livestock farms here in Alaska if your not in the clique you don't get financing or favors it's that simple! I totally agree with above about Scott Mugrage but add if he has 500 head of cattle we have 20,000 head total crap from a wanna be. The direct slaughter is only hurting producers who Greg has lied and mislead in this state as he has no intentions of doing business with us as he is a crook! From a Delta Junction producer.
I've said before, and I'll publish here:
AlaskaGrown is a tissue paper tiger.
It means *nothing* when it comes to livestock, and perhaps less when it comes to what's in the soils (according to dear director). They have no enforcement, no plans to enforce it, and thank heavens do not have the police powers to do anything. Maybe they'd write a nasty gram, but there is *no recourse* from any fraud perpetrated by anyone, on the public.
None.
The Alaska consumer gets ripped off, the AlaskaGrown label gets tarnished, it puts locals who truly are AlaskaGrown at a disadvantage, and no.one.cares. as long as the CBC of Ag gets to laugh all the way to the bank!
Aren't you an Alaska Grown member su valley? Maybe you should leave the program if it is so bad.
That's your constructive response? I would expect more from an employee of the DOA
What Mikes Meats and Butcher Block #9 and Mat Valley Meats are doing to the Alaska Grown program is dishonest and will catch up to the program as well as the people that abuse the program when the consumers loose confidence in the product just like every other program that has ever come and gone it will be finished! Without integrity and honesty Alaska Grown will go by the wayside as well it's only a matter of time. Simply from Abuse. It's a proven marketing fact simple as that. When you let incompetent people oversee a program this is what happens. From a Marketing Expert!
Hmmm, sounds like you should add enforcement authority to the Alaska Grown program through public initative and law change (ie legislative action). Don't forget a fiscal mote to enforce the program.
*note
They already have it. It's right in the application. They just claim to not have money to do anything.
Dear Marketing Expert above:
I wholeheartedly agree with your comments. Anything that diminishes the brand, is a disservice to every member. Most of those members are small producers and are very proud to use the logo. I count myself as one of those, as it happens. So when the big boys start misleading the public as to the origins of the product they sell, it hurts us *all*.
It's pretty hard to argue "misunderstanding" or that you are "spreading lies" when there is photographic evidence to the contrary. Although they certainly try.
I personally think the program is valuable, and remains a marvelous marketing opportunity for everyone *if*, as you say, the integrity of the producer and his/her advertising is truthful and proven through their actions. And if the management of the program were in more capable hands. Outright censorship by a public agency just rubs folks the wrong way, and particularly for Alaskans who view our .guv with mistrust as it is.
Have you seen the latest flyer for the "food safety" thing in Fairbanks?
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