Beef Jerky?

Question

Considering of selling beef jerky..., opening a business for it. Have had experience and other prospects. Been selling it to other people and they keep on buying it so much we can't even make that much in time. Would you please give me your personal opinion on what you think about opening a business on this. It would mean so much!!! Thanks for your comment.

Answer 1

To manufacture and sell meat products in the USA you have to be USDA inspected. Since making beef jerky is a slow process, you have to take care to use the proper quantities of nitrates to keep bacterial growth at bay while the curing process takes place. Failure to follow the proper procedures as directed by the USDA can result in beef jerky which has too high of a bacterial count. As bacteria multiplies, they create nuerotoxins which are not destroyed by heat. You can actually create a product which is poisonous and can result in extreme illness or even deaths. One illness or death can result in both criminal charges and civil lawsuits. You might not go to jail, but you will be financially ruined. The USDA is part of the federal government and actively prosecutes facilities which produce meat products without inspection.

I would strongly advise contacting the USDA for information on the proper setup of your facility. I would also recommend contacting your local Small Business Administration for free information and through the SBA there is a program called SCORE. That stands for Service Corps Of Retired Business Executives. As the name implies, they are retired successful business execs who volunteer their time to help small businesses succeed. They can help you create a thorough business plan which will not only greatly increase your chances of success, but also make it easier for you to achieve financing for your plan to become a reality. As a legitimate business, you will be able to purchase your meats and supplies wholesale and be able to increase your profits. As an inspected facility, you will be able to supply safe products to the public. My beef jerky business has become quite successful. I found much higher profits by diversifying into smoked sausages and cheeses as well as jerky.

Just bare in mind, that taking shortcuts like sidestepping the USDA can cost you your freedom, your business, and your life savings. It's not worth it.

Answer 2

Beef Jerky.

Answer 3

It really is going to be a challenge to do. First off let me tell you that I am a retired meat inspector with USDA FSIS, (food safety inspection service) Besides the business license that you will need you will need to apply for a Grant of inspection from FSIS. Because you are doing this most of the time state and local health officals will not be a problem. Depending on your state. You will not be able to do it from your house, you will need a completely seperate building with its own water supply that must also be inspected and approved.
You will need a SSOP sanitation standard operating procedure.
And you will need HACCP training, hazard analysis and critical control point. As well as the proper equipment and standardized recipes that will be inspected as well and not changed.
Then you will also need to go through a safe processing course which is offered by most University exstention office.
That is just a little taste of what will need to be done. Listen its not impossible if you want to do it do it and stick with it. You will get discourged but charge forward, people do it all the time.
As for the profit, it is a good profit. Jerky 4oz package sells for $3.99 that is $16 a pound, and people buy it. The product is easy its the regulation part that can be frustrating.

Answer 4

I used to work in a meat market that made jerky in old refrigerators where we kept mesquite burning low in the bottom in iron skillets. It was good,
Do you have a facility to make this stuff? Recipes sound like you have them. Some of ours was turkey jerky and if someone brought deer meat we would make them some with some of that. Also had beefalo.
You could start a business but will have to deal with the health department to have a legitimate one and you need to go for volume if this is the only thing you are going to do. Package with vacuum packer and find stores that would sell for you.

Answer 5

Considering the fact that beef prices fluctuate I think you would have to have A LOT of money set aside for operating capital. I just don't see a business that sells jerky as very lucrative or long lived....
Sorry!!! I know alot of people love jerky, my family does as well, but the prices of it are usually high & there are a lot of different companies out there who sell it in huge volume.
Stick to the small end right now & see how it goes long term before breaking out into a full fledged business....

Answer 6

Would you really want a business selling dried animal carcasses? The production of meat is terrible for the environment and even worse for our bodies. You might consider selling jerky from tofurky or jerquee. Both of these are excellent products made from soybeans. You can feel good about selling them knowing that you are helping the planet, people and animals all at the same time. Another popular product are the strips made by primal spirit which are also from soy and are unique.
www.whyvegan.com

Answer 7

its a lot of work and can be very demanding time wise. the small profit that you make off the jerky needs to be thought of ... can i now pay the rent for a small company... making a 2 dollar profit may not support a rent that is 3000. don't forget there is equiment to be bought, licenses (food) health codes, packaging... the list goes on. you may be better off buying more equiment and doing it from home. is it more constant or heavier during the holidays... those are all important ?'s to think of. is this just for fun or would you be leaving your career?

Answer 8

Realistically assess your competition . .

World Kitchens beef jerky is around $8.50 per 16-ounce bag at WalMart and Amazon:
http://www.worldkitchens.net/Products.htm

Oberto clearance values . .
(receive $5.00 off a $25.00 purchase by using Coupon Code: C-40 . . expires 12/31/06):
http://www.obertoshopping.com/webstore/?category=149&status=clearance

Answer 9

If you are already selling it at a quantity you can't keepup w/, sounds like you need some employees and get going.

Answer 10

we have a flea market here once a month and some people sell it. i think they do pretty well.