Farbest Foods, Inc.

Farbest Foods, Inc. operates a poultry slaughter and processing establishment at 3672 S. Keller Rd. in Vincennes, Knox County, Indiana, under FSIS establishment number P45131. The federal record lists poultry processing and poultry slaughter activities, poultry as the species slaughtered under inspection, a large FSIS size class, a slaughter volume category of 4.0, and a grant of inspection date on file of March 18, 2015. No custom-exempt activity is reported to FSIS.

The company website describes Farbest Foods as one of the largest turkey companies in the United States, supplying raw, fresh and frozen turkey products to brand-name value added further processors in the United States and abroad. It states the company operates two processing plants, one in Huntingburg, Indiana and one in Vincennes, and describes the Vincennes facility as its most advanced automated processing plant. Total live production is reported on the site as more than 600 million live pounds annually, with distribution centers shipping up to two million pounds per day of raw, fresh and frozen turkey meat. Corporate headquarters are listed at 1155 W. 12th Avenue, Jasper, Indiana, and the phone number on the federal record, (812) 683-4200, matches the corporate office number on the website.

The website presents the business as a wholesale supplier to further processors rather than a direct-to-consumer or custom-exempt operation. Turkeys are described as grown by contract growers and brooder hubs fed by the company's JFS Milling operations. Details such as plant hours, retail sales, or any arrangements for individual farmers or households are not stated in the sources on file.

The sources describe a vertically integrated turkey operation: birds are raised by contract growers supported by the company's own feed milling operations, and no custom-exempt activity is reported to FSIS. Nothing in the federal record or on the website indicates that the Vincennes plant accepts animals from outside producers for custom slaughter or processing, and no booking process, minimums, fees, or cut and wrap terms are stated. Farmers with questions would need to contact the company directly at (812) 683-4200.

Farbest Foods, Inc. operates under a federal grant of inspection, so product from this plant can be sold anywhere in the United States, which matters if you sell online or across a state line. FSIS does not list a custom-exempt activity for this plant.

The website describes Farbest Foods as a supplier of raw, fresh and frozen turkey to value added further processors, whose branded products then reach grocery stores, delis, restaurants and schools. No retail counter, farm store, bundle, delivery, shipping to households, or online ordering is mentioned in the sources on file.

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.