Grocers and consumers could see thinning supplies before end of the month
(Gainesville, Ga.) — A recent fire at a Family Brands International meat processing plant is causing a temporary disruption in supply for Gainesville-based McEver Meat, Inc., whose products are manufactured at the Lenoir City, Tennessee, facility.
Founded in Talmo, Georgia, in 1926, McEver produces hog and cattle-based products available throughout Georgia, as well as parts of Alabama and Florida. Core products include hot dogs, smoked links, red hots and bologna.
Bryce Elliott, owner of both McEver Meat, Inc., and Morris McClure Distributing Company, said grocers and customers will likely see a temporary disruption in supply beginning in July.
“We are disappointed that this unfortunate event will cause a short-term product shortage in many of the stores who sell McEver products,” Elliott said. “However, we’re working around the clock with the processing plant to find a temporary home for production until the main facility is back online.”
John Edd Wampler, general manager of Family Brands International, told Knoxville, Tennessee-based television station WATE, “We have reached out to some other plants that make products similar to ours to see if we can get them to use our recipe temporarily to make some product for us until we get going.”
McEver products are sold by the following retailers in Georgia: Quality Foods, Walmart, Food Depot, Kroger, Bell’s, Dills, J&J Foods, Ingles, Publix, Food Lion, Grocery Outlet and Wayfield Foods, among other specialty grocers, restaurants and markets. Distributors include Supervalu, Morris McClure, Holifield Farms and Associated Grocers of the South.
Elliott said he will be working to update both grocers and customers about the interruption as well as the timeline for McEver’s return.
