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March 24, 2023
Dear John,
Increasing Processing Capacity
The Wall Meats processing facility has been operating over capacity for years. It is a 2,400 square foot processor and has the capacity to process 11 head of cattle per week. However, they have been processing 15-20 head per week—nearly double what they are suited for. Wall Meats started operating 24/7 to keep up with this demand and applied strategies to get their products in more local stores, schools, and even Meals on Wheels.
Wall Meats alerted me of this issue in 2021, and from their story, my Butcher Block Act to provide grants to small processers looking to expand was born. When the pandemic and black swan events decreased processing capacity across America, more elected officials became interested in solutions like my bill.
The Butcher Block Act gained more interest in the following months, and by February 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced they were implementing my grant program to assist small processors in states like ours. This is a huge win for processors and producers. South Dakota producers want more options to sell their beef outside of the “Big Four” packers, my bill makes that a reality.
The USDA’s Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program has begun awarding grants across the country. Wall Meats in Wall, South Dakota was recently awarded $3.3 million to increase their capacity from 11 head per week to 75 head per week. It’s important to note that the funding for these facilities doesn’t cover the whole cost of the expansion. The funding for Wall Meats will only cover about 20% of the total cost, but it’s enough to get them started.
I went to Wall last week along with USDA Undersecretary Xochitl Torres Small to tour the Wall Meats facility again and celebrate their growing business. It is exciting to see these programs going into effect and I look forward to seeing the benefits across the country.
Rep. Johnson, Wall Meats Owner Ken Charfauros, and Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small at Wall Meats
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