Cloud’s Meats
Owner: Mike Cloud
Location: Carthage, Mo.
Manager: Andy Cloud (pictured)
History: Hammond Processing was opened in 1949 by Emmett Hammond in Carthage, Mo., but was purchased 10 years later by Lloyd C. and Patty Cloud upon Emmett’s retirement.
“My grandfather was a farmer who needed additional income during the drought in the 50s,” Cloud’s Meats manager Andy Cloud explained. “At that time it was strictly a custom processing plant for farmers who brought their livestock for processing. Surprisingly, no game was processed because that service was not in demand at that time. The business was strictly beef and pork. Smaller expansions took place as Carthage grew. My father (Mike) started working for his father directly from high school. The bulk of the expansion, however, came in the 1980s, which included expanding facilities for processing, a retail store and adding services such as game processing. The store operated like a grocery store for many years under retail exemption. Catering was added to provide diversity to provide a more even annual activity with slaughtering being stronger in the winter and catering stronger in the summer. Now my sister-in-law (Michelle Cloud), who does the accounting, and I also work here.”
Products and Services: Cloud’s Meats has a new sausage-making facility, with plans to expand into other commercial outlets, which will require state inspection and allow the facility to purchase livestock from local farms.
“In addition to custom slaughtering, we have expanded our product line to include single packs snack sticks, which are sold in stores in our area and are used by schools as fundraisers,” Andy added. “We carry a variety of smoked sausages and 15 flavors of brats, in addition to steaks, roasts and burgers, as well as ham and bacon. Our catering now features barbecue, chicken, chili-spaghetti and whole smoked hogs. We also cater to smaller groups as well as large groups. Meetings, class reunions, family parties and wedding rehearsal dinners are becoming very frequent. A final area of expansion has been providing products for private labeling that are then sold at farmers markets, private stores and health food stores. Our smaller size allows for more flexibility so we can meet customers’ custom needs whether that is for catering, processing or slaughtering.”
