If your fair plans to auction poultry, it is important to understand the right steps to ensure food safety standards. Not all processors in the state of Michigan are certified for the sale of processed poultry products and not all fairs apply for a food establishment license (which is required to sell a bird that has already been processed).
Determine which of the three categories your fair falls into and review the steps that need to be taken to implement a poultry auction.
1. Fairs that Use U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)- or MDARD-Approved Processing Facilities – Without Food Establishment License
2. Fairs that Use U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)- or MDARD-Approved Processing Facilities -With Food Establishment License (this is the only option if you want to have the birds processed before they are sold though the auction)
3. Fairs that Do NOT Use USDA- or MDARD Facilities Approved for Poultry Processing
MSU Extension has come up with options for poultry sales for each of the these categories that can be found by clicking here.
Please note these option are not just for fairs with 4-H shows. These processes have been approved by the MDARD and should be followed for all poultry auctions.