Dietrich's Country Meats

Dietrich's Country Meats operates in Krumsville, Berks County, Pennsylvania, under FSIS establishment numbers M4022 and P4022. The federal record lists meat processing, meat slaughter, and poultry processing, with cattle and hogs reported as species slaughtered under inspection. FSIS classifies the plant as very small and places its slaughter volume in category 1, under 1,000 head per year. The grant of inspection date on file is July 20, 2020. The establishment 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 business operates as Dietrich's Meats and Country Store at 660 Old US 22 in Krumsville, just off Interstate 78 and US Route 22 at Exit 40 (Kutztown / Krumsville). Its website describes fresh and smoked meats along with Pennsylvania Dutch specialties, and states that the Dietrich family began selling at Renninger's Farmers Market near Kutztown in 1957 and opened its own butcher shop and retail country store in December 1975. A second selling location is listed at Renninger's Farmers Market, 740 Noble Street, Kutztown, open Friday and Saturday year round.

The website lists custom processing, curing, and smoking services, including deer and wild game processing and the handling of beef and pork cuts and trimmings. The store notes that no public restrooms are available because the restrooms sit inside the processing area and USDA guidelines do not permit the general public there. The store also states that no credit or debit cards are accepted at checkout and that an in-store ATM is available.

The federal record shows meat slaughter and poultry processing activity, cattle and hogs slaughtered under inspection, and custom-exempt slaughter in which the customer owns the animal and the packages are marked Not for Sale. FSIS places annual slaughter volume under 1,000 head. The website's services pages address drop off of cuts, trimmings, and game rather than live animal booking, and state drop off hours of Monday through Friday 7AM to 3PM, Saturday 9AM to 2PM, and Sunday 10AM to 1PM, with the same pick up hours. Booking lead times, minimums, kill fees, and cut and wrap pricing are not stated in the sources. The website directs callers to 610-756-6344 for additional details.

Dietrich's Country Meats 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.

Dietrich's sells at a retail country store at 660 Old US 22 in Krumsville and at a stand at Renninger's Farmers Market in Kutztown, open Friday 10AM to 5PM and Saturday 8AM to 4PM. The counter carries fresh and smoked meats, sausages and wursts, patties, steaks, chops, chicken, Pennsylvania Dutch specialties, and apple desserts. Orders can be placed by phone at 610-756-6344. The store states that no credit or debit cards are accepted at checkout and that an in-store ATM is available, and that no public restrooms are available to visitors because the restrooms are located inside the processing area. Halves and quarters, delivery, and shipping are not mentioned in the sources.

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.