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Feature Story
Sugar Valley Meats offers old-fashioned products at old-fashioned prices By Joanne Lehman Visitors to the area will want to stop by Sugar Valley Meats at the end of their visit, bring along an empty cooler or two, and stock up for the grill back home. This old-fashioned butcher shop offers a complete line of fresh cuts of beef and pork prepared on-site. “We try to make products that are unique,” said owner Reuben Erb. “Things you can’t walk into the grocery store and get.” The business has been in operation since 1990. They operate a retail store adjoining their slaughterhouse, where they offer a variety of frozen products as well as fresh beef and pork year-round. In addition to their own beef and pork, they stock locally grown and processed poultry products. Reuben and his wife, Sharon Erb, who helps with the business, are life-long residents of Sugarcreek. Reuben grew up on a farm that included a family butcher shop, where he worked to learn his trade. When his father closed down that business in 1988, Erb built a new shop on a plot of land that was part of his parents’ farm. His shop continues to make the products area residents enjoy - especially smoked meats of various kinds. Reuben Erb said he isn’t bothered by alarmist reports of improper feeding and other charges sometimes leveled against animal food products -animal byproducts in feed was outlawed long ago. As in all meat processing plants large and small, government inspectors are on-site daily during processing and present for all slaughter. He makes it his business to follow the regulations by the Ohio Department of Agriculture governing meat processing. “Time and again visitors to the area stop in and want “Amish” meat. I was born and raised Amish, myself,” Erb said. Although he is no longer part of the Amish faith, he continues to create the products and maintain the values people allude to with their request for local fare. “I try to be honest, offer fair prices and treat my customers the way I want to be treated,” he said. One of the things that sets Sugar Valley Meats apart from many other local meat markets is their smoked meat products made on the premises from traditional family recipes. Fresh meat is immediately prepared and seasoned in relatively small quantities to become ham, bacon, sausage, or smoked pork loin. They also make a beef snack stick, jerky, their own bologna products and all beef or beef and pork hot dogs. The walk-in spice closet is stocked with the required seasonings--salt, brown sugar, and maple syrup, and other traditional seasonings are added to the fresh meat being processed. Products are placed on carts with stacking shelves made of grating, so that the natural wood smoke can penetrate the meat. They may smoke 125 hams at a time around the holiday season when they also find increased demand for smoked turkey. Smoking and curing takes place in an adjoining room equipped with two “smoke houses-” large steel boxes with tight-fitting doors. Erb purchases green wood - apple, hickory and sassafras - from locals. “People know we need it,” he said. “I pay them well for it,” he added, thus ensuring an unending supply. After smoking, products that require it are water cooked, ensuring the customer a fully cooked product that is ready to eat. Erb said many people worry about meat safety and may over-cook hams and other smoked products. These taste better and stay moist if they’re just heated to the required temperature before serving. Cooking and refrigeration instructions are noted on their packaging. If in doubt, customers’ questions will be answered by one of the knowledgeable and friendly employees working behind the counter. Sources for the products found at Sugar Valley come exclusively from the local area. Erb often buys directly from area farmers or purchases animals at the area’s local livestock auctions. Around county fair time, he also does custom butchering for businesses who may buy the animals raised by area 4-H club youth. As his father did years ago, Sugar Valley Meats continues to serve local families by doing custom butchering for those who choose to raise their own beef and pork. The company maintains a wholesale route to serve a number of local homes, markets and area restaurants. Sugar Valley Meats, LLC is located a half mile off State Route 39 at 2149 Dutch Valley Drive, Sugarcreek 44681; phone 330-852-4423. Their hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. They are closed on Sunday. To learn more about Sugar Valley Meats please visit their Ohio Amish Country listing. |
Address: 2149 Dutch Valley Drive NW Sugarcreek, OH 44681 330-852-4423 Visit Us: M-F, 7:30-5; Sat, 8-3.
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