Coming Soon To State Near You: Wisconsin Meat Products

Rick Reams is allowed to sell his popular bratwurst and sausages to customers who live 100 miles to the east of his Hudson store, but not to buyers across the Mississippi River a few miles to the west in Minnesota.

That could soon change.

Federal regulations currently prevent most small meat processors from shipping their products across state borders. That rule is being relaxed, however, and Wisconsin officials say their state is poised to see the most benefit. Meat producers are less confident, taking a wait-and-see approach before jumping into a program that could open up new markets but also bury them under bureaucratic red tape.

Reams can sell to Minnesota buyers who walk into RJ's Meats and Groceries and buy enough for their personal needs, he said. However, he's not allowed to make the sale if the buyer is a restaurateur or vendor who plans to resell the meat, or if he has to ship the product across the state border.

To read the rest of the story, please go to: Bloomberg Businessweek