March 2023 Newsletter

2023 Booking Calendar

Poultry slaughter days in 2023 will be Tuesdays with pick-up on Wednesdays.

Red Meat slaughter days in 2023 will be Thursday with pick-up of frozen meat on the following Friday.

Please note that we need a minimum number of animals (~150 Birds / ~15 Lambs) to open a day so please be aware that at less busy times of the year we might have to move a booking back or forward a week.

Please look at the on-line calendar and book well in advance to ensure you get the dates you want.

May & June Poultry Bookings

If you have already ordered chicks for early in the season, please send us your preferred processing dates now.  If you were hoping for the end of May or early June, we are already starting to fill up. It may be possible to add a day if we can find the staff but there is no guarantee. Please remember to book well in advance – as soon as you order your chicks.

March & April Red Meat Bookings

The expansion project is wrapping up (and looking fantastic) and will have an update on March 21st as to opening dates, but for now we are targeting opening the week of March 27th.  Let us know if you want to bring in lambs or sheep early in the season.

Latest news:

Membership drive

The Abattoir needs your support!  In the past, the number of paid members has dwindled.  

$30 Membership fee accepted via eTransfer ssiabattoirpay@gmail.com  [Please include your full name and email address in the comments box].

BECOME A MEMBER BEFORE MARCH 3rd AND YOU COULD WIN A FREE TICKET TO OUR BIRTHDAY BASH

Livestock Producers Meeting – 7:30pm April 12th Farmer’s Institute

We are inviting all livestock producers whether you raise 10 birds or 1000, 5 lambs or 50, for a discussion on the future of our community Abattoir.   It’s a challenging time for farmers and processors – increasing costs of feed & supplies, lack of availability of skilled staff or lack of housing if we do find someone with the skills we need.  

What needs to change if the abattoir is to serve the community for another 10 years? What services do you want to see offered?  Please help us figure out the best way forward.  We have some ideas and proposals, including only allowing members in good standing to process animals at the abattoir. Please come and share your thoughts – we want to hear from you. 

7:30pm on April 12th at the Farmer’s Institute, followed by the Abattoir Society AGM at 8:30 pm.  We hope to see you all there.

Directors Wanted for Abattoir Society Board

Some long-standing directors are retiring, and we need a new treasurer. Please consider joining a team of committed volunteers to ensure the abattoir continues to provide a vital service for livestock producers.

Potential new Butcher for the abattoir

We are in the midst of trying to bring an amazing butcher originally from Germany to Salt Spring, however finding stable 2-bedroom accommodation for a young family is a challenge.  

Does anyone know of anything available?   If you do, please reach out directly to annemacey@shaw.ca and we can discuss the details.

Canada Summer Jobs Program

Do you know anyone who wants a summer job? Under the Canada Summer Jobs Program, the Salt Spring Abattoir is hiring a young person (age 15-30) for 4 days a week) from the end of June to September 3. Work includes assisting with poultry processing, cut & wrap, facility maintenance and other tasks under direction of our regular staff. 

Country Grocer Receipt Program

Reminder, if you are at Country Grocer, please put your receipts in box 27.   Country Grocer generously donates a portion of sales of those receipts.   It takes no time (once you know where box 27 is) and it helps out the abattoir.