Marion’s Blueridge Processing has been in operation since July 2023, and a retail store opened a year ago.
The meat processing facility and its farm retail store are owned and operated by Josh Clark and his wife, Ashley Clark.
In addition to custom processing, Blueridge Processing in Marion operates a retail farm store featuring meats raised by the owners as well as products sourced from trusted local and regional farmers.
Josh and Ashley Clark are the owners of Blueridge Processing. It is a U.S. Department of Agriculture inspected meat processing facility located in Marion off N.C. 226 South.
On the shelves are a variety of jams, jellies, and sauces that are sourced locally and microwave popcorn made by Amish growers.
The processing facility originally opened as the Foothills Pilot Plant in 2013. That plant was originally partly owned by McDowell County government and it processed meat from only chickens, turkeys, ducks and other fowl, as well as rabbits. Three years ago, the Clark family of Nebo took ownership and decided to give the place a new start. They are first-generation farmers. The Facebook page states that Blueridge is a USDA processing facility “bringing quality local meats nationwide, and serving local farmers with the best processing you can find.”
A retail store next to Blueridge Processing.
Here is some of the beef available for sale at Blueridge Processing’s retail store.
At Blueridge Processing’s store you can find a variety of chicken links.
Bison meat is also available at Blueridge Processing’s retail farm store.
This is some of the chickens packaged at Blueridge Processing. The plant also processes beef, bison, pork, lamb and goat.
Blueridge Processing is owned and operated by Josh Clark (left) and his wife Ashley Clark (center) and their older children. Josh and Ashley Clark are joined by their son Gunner (right) and 4-year-old son Cain (front). Daughter Haley was not available for photo.
Josh Clark cuts up beef inside the Blueridge Processing plant.
Employees at Blueridge Processing pack chicken raised by farmers and brought to the facility to be made ready for sale.
The farm store is open Monday through Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and closed on Sundays.
Customers can buy beef picanha or beef oxtail at Blueridge Processing’s retail store.
These are some of the other meats available for sale at Blueridge Processing’s farm store.
These are the different kinds of bacon available at Blueridge Processing’s retail farm store.
Here are some of the chicken products available for sale at Blueridge Processing’s retail store.
Blueridge Processing’s facility and its store are owned and operated by Josh Clark (left) and his wife Ashley Clark (center) and their older children. Josh and Ashley Clark are joined by their son Gunner (right) and 4-year-old son Cain (front). Daughter Haley was not available for photo.
“We had no experience in meat processing and couldn’t find anyone willing to teach us. Instead of letting that stop us, we did what we do best — we figured it out.”
