Editor’s note
9/9/2024 — This new publication is currently only available as a PDF. The full text will be available on this webpage soon.
Consumers desire locally grown meat and poultry products, creating a market opportunity for producers who can meet safety regulations and market their products. Consumer motivation to purchase local products stems from the desire to know where and how their food is raised as well as perceptions of the products being fresher and of a higher quality than nonlocal products. Because consumers perceive a higher value in these products, producers can capture a premium selling meat and poultry directly — increasing their profit potential. They can add further value to their products through specialized production practices (hormone free, humanely raised, etc.), packaging (biodegradable, recycled material, etc.), and marketing strategies (telling the farm’s story, providing recipes, etc.).
To capture this additional potential profit, producers must navigate inspection requirements, relationships with processors, and building their brand. Inspection for meat and poultry products in Missouri is governed by the Missouri Department of Agriculture. Inspection requirements are not universal but vary based on the species and the specific outlet where the meat/poultry product is sold. Table 1 provides an overview of inspection requirements for different combinations of animal species, selling outlets, and, in the case of poultry and rabbits, the number of animals processed.
This guide is meant to serve as a quick reference to connect producers to the appropriate regulatory agency. To ensure proper compliance, contact the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Meat and Poultry Inspection Program at 573-522-1242. The Missouri Department of Agriculture requires all individuals who sell meat in Missouri to register with the department. Registration categories vary; individuals who sell meat and poultry from animals they raise are registered as a farm-to-fork distributor. All owners or operators who want to sell meat/poultry or meat/poultry products, wholesale or retail, within the state (intrastate) should first contact the Missouri Meat and Poultry Inspection Program. Note that these requirements apply to livestock and poultry producers. Also, always check with your local public health department to find out if they have stricter requirements for that sales channel.
Download the PDF for the full publication.