According to new data from the USDA, while consumers are paying higher prices for beef and pork at grocery stores, farmers producing the meat are making less than they were a year ago.

The article explains: “The number of cattle and hogs have fallen since 2021, which may explain the increased consumer price. If the amount of product decreases but consumer demand stays the same, prices will increase for consumers.

“Also, producers have to go through a middleman — the meatpacking companies — instead of selling directly to consumers, which may limit the amount of profit they can make.”

This comes after headlines of meatpackers making record profits – nearly $13 billion last year alone.

It’s clear: time to ditch the big guys. All in on the movement to return to community meat processing. The governor is with me on this.

This means:

• More locally, and likely sustainably, produced meat for meat-eaters
• More dollars flowing directly to our much-needed farmers
• More dollars staying in our communities
• More support for farmers creates incentive for more farmers to get in the business of feeding us

You can help.

• Raise animals to feed your neighbors
• Buy from your neighbors who are already raising animals
• Find those neighbors here

Thanks for your support.