How to expand Maine’s base of core production to new product categories, such as sea vegetables, sustainable proteins, and meat processing:

Job Growth: From 2018-2023, the Food Economy occupation in Maine with the most job growth was Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers, which added 716 jobs (+27%) in the Food Economy from 2018-2023. This was followed by Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse and Bakers, adding 582 and 229 jobs, respectively, in the Food Economy. The occupations with the largest declines from 2018-2023 were Slaughterers and Meat Packers (-196 jobs, -84%), Production Helpers (-71 jobs, -34%), and Production Workers (-55 jobs, -27%).

 

IRSSC Meat processing research and recommendations:

Source: Findings and Recommendations for Supporting Meat Slaughtering and Processing in Maine Pursuant to L.D. 493 January 31, 2022

(The IRSSC participated in this work as well). Based on this strategic engagement regarding meat and poultry processing bottlenecks and challenges in Maine, the following themes and issues were identified as requiring additional policy engagement and support: • Lack of labor is the most pressing issue facing processors. Skills training is needed to build a sustainable labor force. IRSSC- This is also true at retail as well and supports the need for a case-ready fresh meat program.

  • Apprenticeships, certifications, vocational courses, and train-the-trainer models should be pursued, including with new Americans and non-traditional workers (e.g., incarcerated individuals). IRSSC- Maine has a meat apprenticeship program, however, it is not being used; Maine needs a facility to train at.
  • The cost of doing business is rising and, in some instances, outpacing the profitability of processors. This is why the IRSSC created our BLLP to help address (our beta test- limited data suggest this might help).
  • Infrastructure investments are needed to enhance existing plants and start new plants, particularly in locations across the state that currently lack processing resources. • Infrastructure investments should include technological resources to help plants better manage scheduling.
  • Business planning and training is needed to help plants navigate slower periods of business.
  • Education is needed for livestock producers, especially new producers, to better understand animal readiness for processing.

IRSSC- Education is also needed for consumers/buyers; wholesalers; and retailers as producers will not produce if they don’t have buyers upfront. To help the state of Maine with respect to REAL Maine Meat training, production, processing, and sales.
The IRSSC views the topics below as potentially helping to solve this desire, however, a comprehensive project plan is necessary to include: ✓ Proven Meat Processing and Food Industry Experts, U. Maine and or Community Colleges, and the State of Maine’s Department of Agricultural.

✓ Need to flush out potential funding needs and resources: CPG (major US Food Companies foundations) Grant funding/ and other Maine foundations. There are a number of large CPG foundations supporting farmers and processors in other US states.

Maine needs help building out a training facility or needs to find one that can provide the services needed that will meet the major wholesalers’ case ready fresh REAL Maine Meat specifications. ✓ Secure commitment(s) from at least one major wholesaler to procure animals upfront.

✓ Create farm contracts so sufficient product is produced to sustain the business (animals if the plan becomes reality).

✓ Determine who will sell and deliver case ready products.

✓ Determine who will provide the training for farmers-processors-meat cutters-retailers and others.

✓ Marketing plan (IRSSC core competencies). Buy-Local Loyalty Program for Fundraising | Independent Retailers Co-op (independentretailerscoop.com) Respectfully, the IRSSC feels failed meat processing projects in part lacked the above and sufficient working capital; we feel the NMPAN 2023 Processing business guides validates our conclusion with respect to financing and production and sales needs : NMPAN2023-BusinessGuide-3.6.24-PAGES.pdf (nichemeatprocessing.org) What Is the Meat Industry, & Why Is It Expected to Grow? (bluecart.com) Supports this goal as well: https://independentretailerscoop.com/project/11772/

 

Green Meadow Farm, Union, Maine

Read this publication:

Cultivating Prosperity: FocusMaine Releases A Strategic Plan for Growing Maine’s Food Economy