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Food Processor / Meat Packer / Butcher


How to Become a Food Processor or Butcher
Food Processor Job Duties
Skills and Qualities of a Food Processor
Food Processor & Butcher Salaries
Influential Professionals in this Field
Leading Organizations in this Field
Top Cities for Food Processor Jobs
Other Careers of Interest

How to become a Food Processor or Butcher

A high school degree or its equivalent is recommended, although there is no educational requirement to becoming a food processor, because most employers prefer to hire someone with at least that level of education. Most of the job skills for food processors are picked up through on the job training at work. Potential food processors may perform an apprenticeship under an experienced food processor to learn many of the cutting and eviscerating techniques. Food processors might also take classes or take advantage of other extended training opportunities in the field.

Food processors usually begin as trainees, only performing simple techniques. Slowly, as they receive more training, they are able to work their way up to performing more complicated tasks and taking on more responsibilities. A food processor may even get to train other people in the field after gaining enough experience.

What does a Food Processor do?

Food processors may perform many different tasks, all in the field of food processing. Usually these tasks have to do with meat preparation and packing, as this requires care and sanitation in order to keep the food supply from becoming contaminated. Some food processors cut up slaughtered animals into different cuts of meat. Other food processors deal with baked goods or other preprocessed or prepackaged food.

Baked goods are usually produced in very large quantities when they are being produced for grocery stores or large retail outlets. These require food processors to perform the mixing, baking, and other tasks. Meat and poultry must be cut up and prepackaged, and sometimes trimmed. Cheese and other deli food may also need to be cut up and packaged.

What skills or qualities do I need to become a Food Processor?

Food processors must be able to keep a work area extremely sanitary so that disease and germs are not spread. For many types of food processors, both manual dexterity and fine motor skills are important. Good hand-eye coordination may also be useful for food processors. Although not as frequent as some other occupations, food processors interact with the public and need good people skills. In some jurisdictions, a health certificate is required in order to work as a food processor.

How much does a Food Processors or Butchers make?

Although wages and salaries for food processors vary greatly by area and specialty, the median yearly earnings for all food processors as of May 2006 was $23,100. The middle fifty percent of all food processors in the United States earned between $17,730 and $30,120. Butchers and bakers tend to make more money than other food processors. Most food processors do receive benefits such as health and dental insurance.


Who are some influential professionals in this field?

Lester M. Crawford is the permanent head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and was nominated by President George W. Bush. The head of the FDA is always a permanent commissioner. Dr. Crawford faced some serious opposition relating to how he handled certain issues about drug safety.

What are some leading organizations in this field?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a very important agency of the Federal Government that oversees all food regulation. The FDA requires that certain sanitary conditions be met for all food processing.

The Northwest Food Processors Association (NFPA) began as an association for canners in 1914, and now represents professionals in the food processing field in the states of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. The NFPA headquarters are in Portland, Oregon and, although members are mostly in the vegetable and fruit industries, the association has expanded to include bakers, butchers, and other types of food processors.

What are the top cities for Food Processor jobs?

Although most areas of the United States need food processors, whether it be a large city or small town, there are a few areas that are better for food processor jobs than others. Laurel, Maryland is the best city in the United States for food processor jobs, with Baton Rouge, Louisiana in second place. Washington, D.C. is a very close third place, with Clyde Park, Montana in fourth and Tampa, Florida in fifth place. Schnecksville, Pennsylvania comes in at sixth place for food processor jobs in the United States.

Other Careers of Interest

Baker
Bakers mix and prepare dough, for bread, rolls, pastries, pies, and other baked goods. These baked goods can be sold in a bakery, restaurant store,...

Butcher
Butchers and meat cutters cut up animals which have been slaughtered into different cuts of meat. This meat might be "case-ready" or "boxed" meat...

Chef
Chefs prepare and cook food in many different ways and for many different types of establishments and individuals. A chef may prepare all types...

Food Scientist
Food scientists and the discipline in which they participate is largely responsible for how plentiful, varied and rich our modern food sources are....

Food Service Manager
Food service managers are responsible for the daily operations of restaurants and institutions which prepare and serve food and drink to customers....


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