Other Ag News: Release: NSAC Welcomes Further Investments in Local Meat Processors Markets 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Laura Zaks
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
lzaks@sustainableagriculture.net
Tel. 347.563.6408

Washington, DC, September 20th, 2024 – Yesterday, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced further projects from the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program.  The investments were targeted at small to midsize operations with an emphasis on multispecies, value added, fee for service, and geographically isolated meat processing facilities.

“Investments in these operations are precisely what is needed to both provide sustainable slaughtering or processing volumes for processors and expand reasonably priced processing options for small and very small farmers and ranchers who raise a variety of livestock and poultry,” said Connor Kippe, NSAC policy specialist. “While some of the previous rounds of investments have had many projects focused on single species, this most recent series contains a greater concentration of multispecies investments.”

With this and the remaining funds anticipated from the Local Meat Capacity Grant, USDA continues to invest in the proper size and type of operations to bring down food prices and help serve local farmers. However, other small operations continue to experience issues with a lack of size-appropriate regulation, equitable enforcement, and proper educational opportunities from regulatory authorities. This combined with market consolidation, a lack of affordable equipment, and just workforce development stack the deck against smaller processors and the producers they serve. 

USDA must continue to use all investment and regulatory powers to improve market access for small producers and small processors, to continue to invest in rural America and the resilience of our communities. Similarly, Congress must advance the authorities that USDA has at its disposal to support small meat processors by including the Strengthening Local Processing Act in the farm bill. 

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About the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)

The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition is a grassroots alliance that advocates for federal policy reform supporting the long-term social, economic, and environmental sustainability of agriculture, natural resources, and rural communities. Learn more and get involved at: https://sustainableagriculture.net

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