A.J.'s Lena Maid Meats, Inc.

A.J.'s Lena Maid Meats, Inc. operates at 500 West Main Street in Lena, Illinois, in Stephenson County. The plant holds federal establishment numbers M27467, P27467 and V27467 and is listed by FSIS for meat processing, meat slaughter, poultry processing and voluntary meat processing. FSIS classifies the establishment as small, with a grant of inspection date on file of July 14, 2020. Species slaughtered under inspection, as reported to FSIS, are cattle, hogs, and sheep and lamb. The slaughter volume category on file is 1, meaning under 1,000 head per year. The plant also reports custom-exempt slaughter, in which animals owned by the customer are processed and packaged marked Not for Sale, and reports retail-exempt sales.

The company describes itself as a complete meat processing company and retail sales outlet. Its website states the business was founded over 50 years ago, references the year 1968, and lists Devin Pax as owner. Listed offerings include cuts of beef and pork, specialty cured meats and sausage, sugar cured hams and bacon, lamb items, local cheese products, grocery items, gift boxes and party trays. The site states that products have competed in quality meat shows and won championships at state and national levels.

Custom and wild game processing is listed, including deer taken as boneless trims with no carcass. Beef sides and quarters and whole or half hogs are offered, along with wholesale items. The website directs customers to call for pricing and provides a process request form.

The establishment reports both federally inspected slaughter and custom-exempt slaughter to FSIS, so animals can be processed for the owner's own use with packages marked Not for Sale, or under inspection for sale. Species slaughtered under inspection are cattle, hogs, and sheep and lamb. Reported slaughter volume is under 1,000 head per year. The website offers a process request form and instructs customers to call for pricing. Cutting instructions are accommodated, including steak thickness, roast size, and ground beef in patties or bulk in any size packages, with smoked products such as summer sausage, dried beef, ring bologna, beef sticks and jerky available from the same animal. Booking lead times, scheduling windows, minimums and fees are not stated in the sources on file.

A.J.'s Lena Maid Meats, Inc. reports custom-exempt slaughter to FSIS, which means it can process an animal a customer already owns (a whole, half, or share bought before slaughter) and return it in packages marked Not for Sale. Most small farms have one or two plants they book with, and the plant's calendar decides the delivery date.

The business operates a retail sales outlet at 500 West Main Street in downtown Lena. Locally raised fresh and frozen retail meats are listed, along with cured meats, a wide selection of sausage, local cheese, grocery items, gift boxes and party trays. Beef can be purchased as whole sides or halves, and pork as whole or half hogs, with the buyer choosing cuts. Combination boxes are advertised, including a Choice Steak Assortment box of about 6 pounds. Pricing is by phone. The sources do not state whether the business offers online ordering, shipping or delivery.

If you are buying a half or quarter animal, the plant is where the animal is processed; the farm sells you the animal. Read how to buy a half cow for the sequence and the math.