Finding Directives
Adapted from Volume 3, Number 11 of Small Plant News As a small plant operator, you probably already know that FSIS issues directives to provide official communications and instruction to
September 26, 2023
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Meat Processor Financial Assistance
Five Financial Assistance Programs that Work Many financial assistance programs at the state and federal levels will not work for small meat processors. If we had a dollar for every
September 26, 2023
Uncured Bacon
With the expansion of uncured, nitrite/nitrate-free products in the marketplace, there has been some confusion around the regulatory requirements. Uncured (or “nitrite/nitrate-free”) products require the same safe handling instructions* as cured products since
September 26, 2023
Producer-Processor Communication
Producer-Processor Communication Local meat and poultry can’t get to market without a processor, but processors are pulled in many directions: producers would like more processing options, the kind of
September 26, 2023
How to Appeal an Inspection Decision
If you are a meat processor, and you believe your inspector has given you an “NR” or noncompliance record that is unwarranted or an error, you have the right to
September 26, 2023
Interstate Shipment of State-Inspected Meat and Poultry
Interstate Shipment of State Inspected Meat and Poultry In April 2011, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the final rule for the new Interstate Shipment of State
September 26, 2023
NMPAN Comments on FSIS Draft Validation Guidelines
What’s Going On With Validation? UPDATE: USDA hearings on validation In June 2010, USDA held two public meetings on the HACCP Draft Validation Guidance (transcripts can be found on the
September 26, 2023
Humane Handling and MSUs
Here we offer references to the regulatory requirements around humane handling in connection with slaughter and describe one mobile unit’s experience with a humane slaughter audit. Regulatory Requirements and Guidance
September 26, 2023
Kosher
According to the USDA, an animal is considered kosher if it is a ruminant (“chews the cud”) and has split or cloven hooves. For red meat, this means only the
September 25, 2023
LPCA Plant: Odessa, WA
Livestock Producers Cooperative Association, Odessa, Washington The Livestock Producers Cooperative Association (LPCA) is a multi-species meat processing plant in Odessa, Washington, located near the center of the state. It
September 25, 2023
The Value of Written Business Agreements
Are You Still Doing Business On A Handshake? Get it in Writing to Save Time and Money By Steven A. Kronenberg An excerpt of this article appeared in the
September 25, 2023
Meat Processing Equipment
What’s on this page? The right equipment can make a world of difference in a small meat processing facility. On this page we have videos of several processors sharing their favorite
September 25, 2023
The Business of Meat Processing: Planning & Profitability
Link to Recording and Presentations This Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network webinar, “The Business of Meat Processing: Planning and Profitability,” took place on June 2, 2011. You can find
September 25, 2023
List of Standard NCCI Code Exceptions
Last updated December 2008. All codes are subject to change. Contact your state worker’s compensation bureau for the most up to date information. Standard NCCI Code Exceptions Please note that
September 25, 2023
Humane handling
On October 2, 2015, this content was automatically unpublished and marked as inactive. Please feel free to rework this page, along with properly indicating the copyright for all included
September 25, 2023
Meat Processing Rules & Regulations
<< Back What’s on this page? Meat processing rules and regulations are complex but not impossible to understand. In the words of one of our favorite processors, Will Harris
September 25, 2023
Food Safety / HACCP
<< Back What’s on this page? HACCP stands for “Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point.” A hazard analysis is the process used to determine the food safety hazards reasonably likely
September 25, 2023
Food Defense Plans for an MSU
Food Defense Plans: the Basics What is a Food Defense Plan? According to USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), food defense “focuses on protecting the food supply from
September 22, 2023
Southern Puget Sound, 2008
Southern Puget Sound, 2008 Study title: “Local Meat for Local Meals: An Assessment of Demand for a Mobile Slaughtering Unit in Pierce, King, Kitsap and Thurston Counties, for the
September 22, 2023
State Funding Programs for Meat Processing Facility Improvements/Upgrades/New Facilities
Updated 5.21.2023 This page will highlight different state-level grant or loan programs that can be utilized to start new meat processing plants, upgrade existing ones, or fund other niche meat
September 9, 2023
Meat Regulations for Producers
Page updated 9.1.2022 If you are selling meat, it has to be inspected (both slaughter & butchering) by either a state inspection program or a USDA Food Safety Inspection Service
September 9, 2023
USDA Inspected Fee-for-Service Poultry Processors
There are a limited number of independent USDA-inspected poultry processing plants that will do custom fee-for-service processing for farmers. We will attempt to update this list when we hear of
September 9, 2023
USDA Grants for Meat Processors & Producers
USDA Grants Available for Meat Processors (& Producers) (updated 4.20.2023) Grant Tips: First off, all federal grants require you to first register in the System for Award Management (SAM),
September 9, 2023
Innovations in Waste Management for Meat Processors
A Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network webinar. Date: May 30, 2023 Duration: 90 minutes As we all know, small and mid-sized meat processors are running out of options
September 9, 2023
Meat in the Middle Webinar: Paicines Ranch Learning Center & Cienega Capital
A Paicines Ranch Learning Center & Cienega Capital webinar. From the Paicines Ranch website: A conversation on the middle of the meat supply chain and what it takes to
September 9, 2023
