Puget Sound Processing, LLC

Puget Sound Processing, LLC is a very small USDA-inspected establishment listed under establishment number M45858 at 8725 James Rd SW, Rochester, Washington, in Thurston County. The federal record shows meat slaughter and meat processing activities, with a grant of inspection date on file of August 2, 2023. Species slaughtered under inspection as reported to FSIS are cattle, hogs, and sheep and lamb. The plant's website also lists goat among the species it serves. No custom-exempt activity is reported, and the FSIS slaughter volume category is 1, meaning under 1,000 head per year.

The operation is built around a Mobile Meat Processing Unit, described on the company website as a tractor/trailer designed to meet USDA specifications. The unit is self-contained and staffed by trained processing personnel along with a USDA inspector. After slaughter, the company states it delivers the meat to local butchers for further processing and cut and wrap services. The stated reason for the model is limited USDA processing capacity in Washington and the resulting difficulty small and mid-size producers face in reaching local retail markets such as farmers markets and restaurants.

The website describes the mobile unit as a regional project developed in work with the Pierce County Conservation District, intended to strengthen infrastructure so producers can sell USDA-inspected local meat to local buyers. The site states that Puget Sound Processing is certified by the Animal Welfare Association and that humane handling is a priority. Location is given only as Thurston County, Washington, and hours are listed as by appointment only. Details beyond the federal record and the company website are not on file.

The company presents itself as a service for local producers of beef, pork, goat and lamb who want USDA-inspected slaughter so their meat can be sold into retail channels. Slaughter is performed by a Mobile Meat Processing Unit, a self-contained tractor/trailer built to USDA specifications and staffed by trained processing personnel with a USDA inspector present. After slaughter, the company states it delivers the meat to local butchers for further processing and cut and wrap. Species reported to FSIS are cattle, hogs, and sheep and lamb; the website also names goat. FSIS records no custom-exempt activity, and the slaughter volume category indicates under 1,000 head per year. The website states hours are by appointment only and that the company is taking new clients, with contact by email at info@pugetsoundprocessing.com or phone at (253) 254-1903. Pricing, scheduling lead times, minimums, and hauling or travel radius are not stated in the sources.

Puget Sound Processing, LLC 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 sources describe a producer-facing slaughter service rather than a retail meat counter. No retail store, halves or quarters, bundles, online ordering, or shipping is mentioned. The stated goal is to help local producers reach farmers markets, restaurants, and other retail outlets, so households would generally buy from the farms served rather than from the establishment itself.

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.