The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced that Indiana has become the latest among a handful of states taking action to help provide new opportunities for small businesses processing meat. Indiana has joined USDA’s Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program, which gives certain selected small and very small state-inspected meat processors the option to ship meat and poultry products bearing an official USDA Mark of Inspection across state lines. These efforts are part of USDA's commitment to America's small and midsized farmers and ranchers.
Indiana joins Ohio, North Dakota and Wisconsin in the voluntary shipment program designed to expand market opportunities for America's small meat and poultry producers and processors, strengthen state and local economies, and increase consumer access to safe, locally-produced food.