Local Meat Processing Support Program

Local Meat Processing Support Program

Purpose: Aims to improve processing bottlenecks for livestock farmers in the Berkshire-Taconic Region, supporting livestock producer viability and the availability of local meat products for consumers.

Background: The program emerged from feasibility studies performed by Kitchen Table Consultants, a nationally recognized food and farm business consultancy. BAV was awarded a USDA Regional Food System Partnership (RFSP) grant as a direct follow-up to these studies.

Program Components

The cornerstone of the program includes:

Technical assistance for existing meat processors

Support applying for state and federal grants

Low-interest flexible loans for:

- Plant improvement
- Working capital
- New equipment
- Updated food safety plans
- Workforce training and retention

Key Initiatives

Livestock Working Group (LWG): Convened 10 members across the regional meat processing value-chain who met bi-monthly for 2.5 years. Identified key areas needing support:

Workforce development

Transportation/logistics

Expanded cold storage

Aggregation or co-branding systems

Increased value-added production opportunities

Value Added Processing and Cold Storage Expansion Study: BAV contracted Food Works Group (FWG) to conduct a landscape analysis and feasibility study for expanding value-added production opportunities and cold storage for livestock farmers. Currently actively implementing these findings.

Geographic Scope

Berkshire-Taconic Region (Massachusetts and Connecticut area)

Eligibility

• Meat processors
• Livestock farmers
• Stakeholders in the local livestock/meat supply chain

Contact

Jake Levin, Local Meat Processing Support Program Manager
• Email: jake@berkshireagventures.org
• Organization: Berkshire Agricultural Ventures
• Address: 4 Castle Street, Suite 215, Great Barrington, MA 01230
• Phone: 413.645.3594