From the Field – Meat Processing Technical Assistance Success
March 14, 2024 | 1 min to read
Seeds planted by the Biden Administration through its billion-dollar commitment are now thriving across the U.S. and territories, with a cooperative of Montana ranchers expanding a near-closing processing facility, Muslim producers in Maine launching a regional halal enterprise, tribally-led initiatives enhancing food security, and a Puerto Rican co-op supplying local retailers with fresh pork. Despite the backdrop of the American Rescue Plan providing essential funding, the demand for resources continues to exceed availability.
Seeds planted over the past two years with the Biden Administration’s billion-dollar commitment to foster a more resilient, diverse, and equitable meat and poultry processing system are now beginning to sprout across the country and U.S. Territories:
- A cooperative of Montana ranchers is purchasing and expanding a processing facility that was on the verge of closing;
- Muslim producers in Maine are developing a new regional halal processing and marketing enterprise;
- several tribally-led initiatives are building processing facilities to strengthen their food security; and
- a producers’ co-op in Puerto Rico that supplies roasting hogs for restaurants is expanding to supply local retailers with fresh, locally grown pork.
The American Rescue Plan (H.R. 1319, 117th Congress ) provided most of the funding for these programs. However, the demand for these resources has far too often outstripped the available funding.
To read the rest of the story, please go to: National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition