Invest in Regional Food & Farm Infrastructure
Background
Both consumer demand for local food and the interest of new and established farmers in producing it have skyrocketed in the last decade and a half, but the supply is still often limited by the lack of physical processing infrastructure. Many local and regional canneries, slaughterhouses, butchers, dairies, and similar food processors closed in the 1980s and 1990s, eliminating a critical part of a local food system. Investment in building or rebuilding this infrastructure has significant economic benefits, supporting local farmers and creating jobs all along the food chain.
Meat processing is ultimately regulated at the federal level, but there is a great deal that states can do. In 29 states,[1] the state department of agriculture has the authority to inspect meat processing facilities, rather than requiring inspection by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), as in the remaining states. State inspection authority allows for more processing facilities because the state provides the inspectors rather than needing to rely on the often-strapped USDA. Meat processed at state-inspected facilities may be sold within the state, and for states that belong to the Cooperative Interstate Shipment (CIS) program, state-inspected meat may be sold across state lines as well.[2] Policymakers can work to expand meat processing in both federal and state inspection states. Those who have state inspection authority can ensure that they are robust and well-funded and can apply to join the CIS. Legislators in federal inspection states can work to grant state inspection authority. Labor can be a major sticking point for developing processing capacity. Some community colleges, high schools, and other institutions are investing in vocational programs to train workers in the skills that a small meat processing plant requires; these programs can benefit from state investment. To support the interest and economic potential of local food economies, many states have updated their cottage food laws in recent years to allow home cooks and bakers to sell homemade products. Another route to a similar end is public investment in community commercial kitchens that are available for local food producers to make their food products. These are often developed by a nonprofit, with collaboration from local and regional governments and businesses. USDA grants can be a key to getting the facilities built,[3] but as federal funding is increasingly unreliable, state investment can play a key role. Food hubs can be another key element of developing and strengthening local food systems. As with commercial kitchens, development of a food hub is not generally driven by a state initiative, but it can be supported and funded by state action. For example, a Georgia state senator was able to direct state funds to a new food hub in a predominantly Black rural Georgia county by working closely with local community members.[4] There is also an opportunity for states to earmark federal dollars for local food infrastructure. [1] Food Safety and Inspection Service. “States With and Without Inspection Programs.” United States Department of Agriculture, https://www.fsis.usda.gov/inspection/state-inspection-programs/states-and-without-inspection-programs[2] Food Safety and Inspection Service. “Cooperative Interstate Shipping Program.” United States Department of Agriculture, https://www.fsis.usda.gov/inspection/apply-grant-inspection/state-inspection-programs/cooperative-interstate-shipping-program. [3] Colpaart, Ashley. “Federal Grants Programs for Shared Use Commercial Kitchens Supporting Local Food Systems.” The Food Corridor, 25 June 2021, https://www.thefoodcorridor.com/2021/05/10/federal-grants-programs-for-shared-use-kitchens/. [4] Senator Kim Jackson. “Southwest Georgia Hub Appropriations Request.” Received by Senator Blake Tillery, Chairman, Appropriations Committee, State Innovation Exchange, 5 Mar. 2021, https://ag.stateinnovation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/SWGP_FoodHub_AppropriationsRequest_03.05.21.pdf. Accessed 24 Jan. 2022.
Policy Priorities
- State: Invest in local meat processing infrastructure.
- State: Update cottage food laws.
- State: Invest in food hubs.
State Examples
- States without a state inspection program can consider legislation to create one, as Arkansas (2021 AR HB 1315) did and as Massachusetts (2021 MA HB 3926) attempted to do. Hawai’i (2024 HI SB 1590) is also considering updating its discontinued meat inspection program to meet local demand.Pursuing a multipronged strategy to improve meat processing for its ranchers, Wyoming (2021 WY HB 54) directed a council to expand the state’s meat processing infrastructure in a variety of ways, and also passed a “herd share” law (2020 WY HB 155), which allows ranchers to sell shares[5] of an animal or herd to shareholders who receive cuts of meat when the animals are processed, without the need for USDA-inspected slaughter. Vermont has a similar herd share law ( Stat. Ann. tit. 6, § 3311a).
- Butchering training programs like in Iowa[6] and Montana,[7] can be developed in partnership with state agencies and funding.
- Connecticut (2015 CT HB 5027) recently updated its cottage food laws.
- States like California (2021 CA AB 1144), Illinois (2021 IL SB 2007), and Florida (2021 FL HB 663) that have existing cottage food laws have recently expanded or clarified them in light of the increased interest in this kind of small business.
- A bill enacted in Utah (2021 UT HB 94) granted authority to local health departments to license and regulate what the bills calls “microenterprise home kitchens.”
- California (2021 CA AB 1009) enacted legislation to establish the Farm to Community Food Hub program. Hawaii (2021 HI SB 338) lawmakers have introduced legislation to establish a five-year food hub pilot program, which would increase local food access and provide grant funding for applicants wishing to establish or expand a food hub.
- In an attempt to enhance access to locally-grown agricultural products, California (2024 CA AB 2786) passed legislation to create a framework for the operation and regulation of certified mobile farmers markets.
- Minnesota (2023 MN SF 2940) is looking to establish a program that seeks to foster local and regenerative food webs to sustainably tackle food, water, and climate challenges.
- Massachusetts set aside part of its American Rescue Plan funding for municipalities to invest in infrastructure including food hubs.
- The California Agriculture Relief Act (B.3098) directs relief to small agricultural operations affected by drought, flooding, and other disasters to match the disaster relief afforded to larger operations.
[5] Kudelska, Kamila. “Wyoming Ranchers in Butchering Bind Are Selling Beef Directly to Consumers.” CapRadio, https://www.capradio.org/news/npr/story?storyid=922849512.
[6] Anderson, Katie. “Edgewood Locker Introduces Meat Cutting and Butcher Apprenticeship Program.” Edgewood Locker, https://edgewoodlocker.com/apprenticeship/.
[7] Miles Community College. “MCC, Montana Farm Bureau and Montana Meat Processors Association Develop Meat Processing Program.” MCC News, https://www.milescc.edu/DegreesPrograms/ProgramSheet.aspx?sqry=qryCMeatProcessing&DegNumber=38.