Meat+Poultry - April 2023 - 70

PROCESSOR PROFILE
MIX IN ONE
TUMBLE &
MACHINE
Tumble and mix in one compact
and affordable machine.
Henneken™ Type CVM Tumblers feature a fixed drum
with rotating, interchangeable mixing arms that allow
you to go from tumbling and marinating to mixing
and blending in minutes. Control wires and clear
vacuum tubing are kept outside of the jacket for easy
inspection and repair. With programmable touchscreen
controls, the CVM Tumblers are easy to use,
easy to clean, and easy to maintain. Learn more
about the benefits of the CVM at iinc.org/cvm
Having the website ready just as the COVID19
pandemic struck kept the business in a
favorable position.
With processing capacity challenged during
the first year of the pandemic, MeatCrafters was
able to continue growing. The company brought
on a salesman in 2021. Before that, the original
partners were in charge of sales and of building
brand awareness.
Berliner and Moser could have retired when
the pandemic hit, however they were committed to
their employees.
" I said there's got to be some way we can save
this and not close up and save everybody's job, "
Moser said.
Enduring those early months, MeatCrafters
remained ready to take on all challenges ahead. The
company grew exponentially year over year and now
operates with 17 employees at its production facility
and shipping fulfillment department.
BUILDING OUT PRODUCTS
As a smaller operation, MeatCrafters serves its existing
clients but takes chances by creating new products.
In 2021 the team introduced a new line of sliced
charcuteries for retail stores and added foodservice
products to its product line.
An example of that - a best seller - is its duck
prosciutto that's seasoned with sea salt, black pepper,
thyme, garlic, bay leaves and juniper. The company
also continues to grow its line of bacon products,
taking advantage of the continued demand in this
growing segment.
Tumbling
Marination
Mixing
Dry-Salting
Another important component of MeatCrafters'
successful strategy is chef Alex Mejia. The company's
chief sausage maker has worked as a chef in the DC
area since 1998 and refined his skills by working in
kitchens alongside world-renowned chefs such as
José Andrés.
Under Mejia's direction the company now
produces flavor profiles from 16 different countries.
" We grind all of our own spice mixes fresh each
morning, " Moser said. " We don't buy spice mixes. "
Moser noted the importance of providing custom
processing for restaurants in the area to create unique
specialty items.
" We're always coming up with new recipes, usually
for a client who really needs something special
developed for them, " she said.
FTIINC.ORG/CVM
309.588.4803
70 MEAT+POULTRY | 04.23 | www.meatpoultry.com
MeatCrafters has diversified its business by moving
into grocery stores, wine and cheese shops, breweries,
wineries and other retailers, as well as working on
custom orders for restaurants in the area.
http://wwwftiinc.org/cvm http://www.FTIINC.ORG/CVM
Meat+Poultry - April 2023

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