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Central Washington ranchers press for local meat processing capacity, invite committee to tour
Summary
Kittitas Custom Cuts founders and local ranchers told the committee they face long waits for USDA‑approved processing and invested $1.2 million to reach permit hearings; they invited legislators to visit their retail marketplace and a planned 19,000‑square‑foot USDA processing plant projected for late 2026.
Scott Toland and Bonnie Toland, operators behind Kittitas Custom Cuts and local ranchers, told the committee April 2 that Central Washington lacks adequate USDA‑approved slaughter and processing capacity and described long waits and high upfront costs for new facilities.
Lede: Scott Toland said producers “have to put a reservation in 11 months in advance” to process animals today and described a state market dominated by a few large processors. He said Kittitas Custom Cuts has invested about $1,200,000 over 2½ years to reach the hearing‑examiner stage and has not yet broken ground.
Nut graf: The Tolands asked the committee to use the interim to visit the…
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