An Alaskan Elk, FDA inspector and a vegetarian walk into the bar at ORSO!

Posted by chefalaska

Posted: January 14, 2009 - 1:29 am

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So, a few weeks ago I was propositioned by Dave the "root seller" about the possibility of buying an Alaskan harvested Elk for ORSO. I'm glad the holidays are over, but it felt like Christmas morning!
The plot thickens here. In August I was a part of a forum with the State division of Agriculture, Alaska Global Collaborative and a group of red meat vendors, some raise Musk-ox for the Quiviet, the meat is a by product, as sad as that sounds, a successful purveyor(Indian Valley Meats)and others that have found creative ways to make a living supplying photo tours, Bed and Breakfast retreats, personal hunts and the like.

To get to the center of it, Alaska had an FDA approved agent, an FDA approved facility with processing capability. Stuff went south due to lack of commercial viability, the state handed over the program to the Federal department. There seem to be a bit of red tape, loopty loops and junk keeping the overhead and acessability for would be meat purveyors to harvest to the public. One such item is an FDA inspector(that resides out of state) being present for the kill shot and periodic inspections needed to assure of sanitary procedures. Once the meat is processed and aged, the purveyors have to sell the WHOLE animal, not just the prime cuts the restaurants want. Transportation, marketing and a reliable retailer or wholesale outlet.
So, ORSO, and a couple of restaurants are going to pre buy an Alaskan Grown Elk.
Will there be a response? Will people care? will people or guests pay the premium prices? Could there be a viable meat market in Alaska? We will be butchering the elk next week, ready for the weekend. Hope to see you there.

The vegetarian was the red herring in the title, sorry to lead you astray!

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