The Niche Meat Processors Assistance Network (NMPAN), a network and information hub for people and organizations who want small meat processors to thrive, has produced four facts sheets aimed at people not familiar with the industry.

The series, called a Beginner's Guide to Local Meat Processing, explains key terminology, what meat processing entails, regulations and meat processing economics. It's aimed at cooperative extension personnel, employees of government agencies or non-profits, economic development agencies, food activists, beginning farmers, and others. The series was written to bring them up-to-speed on some of the terminology, regulations, economics, and logistics of small, local, and independent meat processing.

The four short and easy-to-read fact sheets - free to download - cover:

• What is Local Meat Processing?
• What are the Rules?
• Small Plant Economics
• New Plant Checklist

NMPAN suggests downloading and sharing them with clients, collaborators, regulators, and others who would benefit from a deeper understanding of local meat processing.

Source: NMPAN