Willey’s Custom Meats
OWNER: Brent and Sara Willey
ADDRESS: 104 Taylor St, New Meadows, ID 83654
PHONE: (208) 347-3175
EMAIL: bwilleycustommeats@gmail.com
YEARS IN BUSINESS: 3
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: Three, plus family
WHAT THEY SELL: Custom Premium Meats, Custom Butcher, Merchandise at the shop
WHY YOU SHOULD GO: Because we care about each animal that comes here and we put 100 percent effort into processing each one in an exceptional way.
Willey's Custom Meats is a specialty butcher shop which processes domestic and wild game with fresh, tasty meat for retail sale also. Customers rant and rave about the quality, packaging and taste as well as the extensive knowledge the Willey's have about their trade.
When and why did you decide to start your business?
I grew up on a ranch and we butchered beef, wild game, pigs, and chickens with grandpa. I didn’t know there was a career in it until I turned 18 and moved to Colorado. I got a job at Albertson’s and started in the meat department. I stayed there for about six months and then found my way into a mom and pop butcher shop. This is where I learned how to do premium meats. I did an apprenticeship program with this shop and became 1st cutter in my mid-twenties. I went on to manage the shop for eight years. In total, I worked at the mom and pop shop for 16 years.
What led you to starting your business in New Meadows?
Starting my own business, this was my dream. I wanted to custom cut carcass animals. There just happened to be a butcher shop for sale in New Meadows. I was hired here first. I worked with the previous owners for six months and then I bought it. The previous owners are older gentleman and they were ready to pass the business over and glad to keep the shop going.
What does being featured as a local food business for the WCM Food Coalition mean to you?
Local food processing that is USDA inspected can be a missing link with local food in rural places. Some of the meat is slaughtered in the region with a local mobile unit which makes it even more local! I am happy to help fill some of the gaps with my business. Custom meat processing is important to me. It is nice to be part of the bigger local food picture.
What do you think the benefits are of bringing people together through a coalition?
It creates more visibility for the farm to table potential of the area. It is good to know where you get your meat and how to choose it. You can meet your ranchers and really know where your food comes from. We are not butchering slop fed pigs, technically they are vegan pigs. They eat barley, corn, vegetables, grain, fruit, and are not fed animal by-products.
Why should folks patronize your business?
I like supporting local ranchers and I bring in customers from Boise to Lewiston. I even have Eastern Idaho ranchers patronize our business. I use top of the line spices and I have a have passion for the trade. I know the right and wrong way of doing things.
What challenges have you faced as an independent local business owner, and how have you met those challenges?
When I first established my business, I needed to make it my own. I also needed to make it a year round business. This is the first year round butcher shop for this area in 12 years. Sara has been excellent at marketing the business and bringing customers to the shop through her efforts.
What do you feel is the impact of local ranches in New Meadows, and what does the future look like for a rancher in the WCM?
I have been getting more and more ranchers year after year for custom processing. They are making more money with processing their animals locally and that is good for the area. The ranchers like knowing that people have quality meat in their freezers. I am almost at capacity, with ranchers knocking at my door left and right.
Do you have plans to expand or open another shop in the region?
No, not at this time. I originally wanted to open the shop on our ranch in the Lake Fork area. But I have learned that I am in the heart of Idaho and realized I am in the ideal location. If I was going to expand, I would have a premium meat shop in Mccall.
What is your relationship to the community? What charities or organizations do you support or participate in?
I donate processing to Rocky Mountain Elk, they donate to Idaho families and feed the hungry by donating game meat to families in need. I also donate gift certificates to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Auction annually. I work with the organization Wounded Warriors and give a discount on processing. I support Adams and Valley County Fairs. My daughter will be joining Valley County 4-H next year! Sometimes we buy 4-H kids animals and donate them back to families.
How many people do you employ?
Three, plus family support. One day we will add on two more helpers during peak season. Our peak season starts the end of July and continues until December. We take January off.
How important is supporting the local food system and economy to you and your business?
Eating local food is second nature to me and my family. It makes sense.
Please give us your one-sentence take-away message about your business.
Meat processing is a dying trade and I am happy to be able to carry this into the future and share my knowledge and talent with the community.
(Interview and article by Melissa Hamilton– June 15, 2018)
The Featured Farmer/Rancher program is designed to help the West Central Mountains community identify our locally owned independent farmers by featuring two farmers/ranchers or local business per year. All of the featured businesses support or strengthen the local food system or local agricultural products.
