Case Study: Supporting Turchetti's Salumeria with USDA FSIS Compliance and Expansion

Location & Contact

Client: Turchetti’s Salumeria

Location: 1801 S East Street, Indianapolis, IN 46225

Owners: George Turkette and Amanda DeVary

Website: https://www.turchettis.com/

Background

Founded in 2017 by George Turkette and Amanda DeVary, Turchetti’s Salumeria is a USDA-inspected whole animal butchery, restaurant and market located in the vibrant Fountain Square district of Indianapolis, Indiana. Driven by a commitment to whole animal utilization, George and Amanda source high-quality meats from local farms to craft a diverse selection of charcuterie, deli meats, and sausages.

Through the USDA’s Cooperative Interstate Shipment (CIS) program, Turchetti’s Salumeria achieved federal inspection standards while retaining state-level oversight. This strategic move allowed them to expand their market by distributing products across state lines, all while preserving a local, sustainable supply chain.

In 2024, after successfully managing a restaurant, delicatessen, and market, George and Amanda transitioned to focus solely on their USDA FSIS CIS wholesale business. They sold their retail operations and relocated to a new facility on South East Street in Indianapolis.

Challenges

When George and Amanda first approached AgriForaging Food Safety, they faced the complex challenges of establishing a USDA FSIS-compliant facility and gaining CIS program approval for their salumeria. Key obstacles included:

Designing and Implementing Facility Layout: Developing a facility layout that aligns with USDA FSIS standards for butchery and salumeria operations.
Achieving Compliance with Federal Inspection Standards: Navigating USDA regulations while upholding state-level quality practices.
HACCP Plan Development: Establishing a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) plan that met the rigorous demands of whole animal processing, including butchery, smoking, and curing.
Labeling Approvals: Securing USDA FSIS CIS labeling approvals necessary for interstate distribution of their products.

AgriForaging Food Safety's Role with Turchetti’s USDA FSIS Compliance and Expansion

AgriForaging Food Safety provided comprehensive support to help Turchetti’s Salumeria meet these challenges and successfully launch their USDA FSIS CIS-compliant operations. Our contributions included:

Facility Design and Compliance Planning
- We worked closely with George and Amanda to design a floor plan that meets USDA FSIS architectural requirements. This design focused on optimizing safety, efficiency, and workflow specifically for whole animal butchery and salumeria operations.
USDA FSIS Communication and Compliance Guidance
- From initial inspections to routine compliance checks, we facilitated communication with USDA FSIS CIS inspectors, providing George and Amanda with step-by-step guidance for navigating federal regulations. Our expertise enabled them to meet compliance standards while upholding their commitment to locally sourced, sustainable practices.
HACCP Plan Development and Implementation
- We developed a customized HACCP plan tailored to Turchetti’s processes, encompassing the unique requirements of butchery, smoking, and salumeria production. This plan addressed critical control points for safety and quality, essential for achieving USDA FSIS approval and ensuring product safety.
USDA FSIS CIS Labeling Approvals
- To enable interstate distribution, we managed the USDA FSIS CIS labeling approval process, verifying that Turchetti’s products met federal labeling standards. This approval allowed George and Amanda to expand their market reach in full compliance with CIS program regulations.

Outcome

With AgriForaging Food Safety’s support, Turchetti’s Salumeria achieved full USDA FSIS CIS compliance, meeting federal standards and allowing them to distribute products across state lines. This compliance enables George and Amanda to focus on growing their wholesale business at their new facility and reaching more customers who value high-quality, locally sourced meats.

Turchetti’s Salumeria stands as an inspiring example of how small, community-focused businesses can expand while staying true to their core values. AgriForaging Food Safety is proud to have played a role in helping George and Amanda realize their vision for a sustainable, federally compliant whole animal butchery and salumeria. By bridging local sourcing with federal compliance, we’ve empowered Turchetti’s to bring their quality meats to a wider audience while maintaining the highest standards of safety and sustainability.

Explore More: https://www.turchettis.com/

To learn more about AgriForaging Food Safety’s services, CONTACT US, email us at info@agriforaging.com, or call (845) 481-0820.