Wrapped products are boxed for shipping in a separate room so the shipping boxes never come into contact with the production rooms. (Photo courtesy of AVA Companies) Separate production rooms The Meat Depot is divided into separate production line rooms for pork and beef operations. The cutting, wrapping and weighing of each protein is done in one room, and wrapped products are boxed for shipping in a separate room so the shipping boxes never come into contact with the production rooms. In order to bring efficiency to production and distribution, the pork room features two production lines that can be expanded to four when the order volume warrants. The plant usually operates on one shift with an expanded shift. At full capacity the facility can process about 2 million pounds of case-ready pork per week. The beef room has similar capacity features and is consistent with the model. "We are quickly becoming the adjunct backroom of the supermarket," says AVA's vice president of sales Lenny Lombardi. "Our customers specify the www.MEATPOULTRY.com product's production and packaging requirements as they would prepare it in their meat department and we'll do it that way. The relationship is truly a supplier-operator partnership. Our production facility was built to handle the various spec requirements requested from our operators. Pork products are packed in a high-oxygen atmosphere that utilizes three levels of gases. The packaging technique allows for tight control of bacteria without the use of any sprays. AVA does not spray any of their products. The company's pork products carry a 14-day shelf life. The case-ready beef program utilizes low-oxygen atmosphere packaging. Because beef products do not age in the package, they can be left in the case for up to 21 days. There is also a I September 2008 I MEAT&POULTRY I 79http://www.MEATPOULTRY.com