Independent Processor .taxonomy-header__description{ width: 675px !important; max-width: 100% !important; }

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Independent Processor is the only trade magazine in the meat and poultry processing industry that focuses exclusively on small and medium-sized meat, poultry, and game processors.]]> https://www.provisioneronline.com/rss/2776 en-us PromarksVac introduces PRSK-420M-240 Thermoforming Skin Pack Rollstock Machine PRSK-420M-240 aims to enhance visual appeal of packaged products, including meat, dairy, seafood and ready-to-eat items.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120750 Wed, 10 Jun 2026 13:20:04 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120750-promarksvac-introduces-prsk-420m-240-thermoforming-skin-pack-rollstock-machine Where the Meat Industry Meets: SMA’s 70th Annual Convention Four-day event brings together packers, processors, suppliers and service providers for education and relationship-building.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120727 Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120727-where-the-meat-industry-meets-smas-70th-annual-convention USDA unveils Small Processors Action Plan Action plan targets regulatory clarity, customer service improvements and easier navigation of USDA requirements.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120718 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 06:00:01 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120718-usda-unveils-small-processors-action-plan Episode 228: Legacy Maker Farms repositions beef as a catalyst for interpersonal connection Legacy Maker Farms leaders Steve Hershberger and Ian Baer discuss the company's new ownership, rebranding, and AI-driven strategy. 

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120683 Thu, 28 May 2026 07:00:42 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120683-episode-228-legacy-maker-farms-repositions-beef-as-a-catalyst-for-interpersonal-connection Last change to register for the inaugural Artisanal Meat Processing Workshop Workshop features four in-plant demonstrations taking place in the University of Wisconsin-Madison Meat Science & Animal Biologics Discovery USDA Inspected processing plant. 

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120678 Wed, 27 May 2026 14:18:34 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120678-last-change-to-register-for-the-inaugural-artisanal-meat-processing-workshop Weaver Meats expansion, equipment upgrades boost co-packing and private-label meat snack production Latest expansion brings the company’s facility to more than 40,000 square feet of processing space.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120669 Tue, 26 May 2026 09:40:42 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120669-weaver-meats-expansion-equipment-upgrades-boost-co-packing-and-private-label-meat-snack-production Farmers, butchers and industry experts to gather at Midwest Meat Summit Event connects every part of the meat supply chain as demand for local meat grows.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120603 Wed, 13 May 2026 08:10:53 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120603-farmers-butchers-and-industry-experts-to-gather-at-midwest-meat-summit GEA introduces PowerPak 5000 thermoformer for mid-range food packaging applications At interpack 2026, GEA launches the PowerPak 5000, a thermoforming packaging machine for producers that need several different pack sizes.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120566 Tue, 05 May 2026 06:00:53 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120566-gea-introduces-powerpak-5000-thermoformer-for-mid-range-food-packaging-applications A wave of meat policy bills moves through Congress Bills address issues including beef labeling transparency, international trade, expansion of small meat processors and state inspection authority.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120540 Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120540-a-wave-of-meat-policy-bills-moves-through-congress UW-Madison hosts short course on artisanal meat processing University of Wisconsin – Madison takes a comprehensive approach to old world meat products, blends classroom discussion and interactive manufacturing demonstrations in the Meat Science & Animal Biologics Discovery USDA pilot plant.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120548 Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:30:51 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120548-uw-madison-hosts-short-course-on-artisanal-meat-processing How convenience is driving summer grilling innovation in 2026 bredars@bnpmedia.com (Sammy Bredar) Demand for high-quality, convenience-driven formats bolsters consumer interest in grilling throughout the week.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120539 Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120539-how-convenience-is-driving-summer-grilling-innovation-in-2026 Carefully curated merchandising helps small processors stay competitive in the meat case bredars@bnpmedia.com (Sammy Bredar) Merchandising strategies evolve beyond traditional pricing and placement.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120530 Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120530-carefully-curated-merchandising-helps-small-processors-stay-competitive-in-the-meat-case Small Batch Farms enters direct-to-consumer market with online beef boutique launch Missouri-based family beef farm goes direct to consumer with clean-label, grain-finished beef and beef jerky.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120519 Fri, 24 Apr 2026 09:05:51 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120519-small-batch-farms-enters-direct-to-consumer-market-with-online-beef-boutique-launch Manchester Farms grows from a backyard hobby to a national supplier of quail meat wilkinsonf@bnpmedia.com (Fred Wilkinson) Manchester Farms’ recent annual sales totaled more than 2 million quail and nearly 48 million quail eggs.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120522 Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120522-manchester-farms-grows-from-a-backyard-hobby-to-a-national-supplier-of-quail-meat Meat Industry Suppliers Alliance Foundation Scholarship Program awarding multiple $10,000 scholarships Scholarships are awarded to junior and senior undergraduates as well as master's and Ph.D. candidates studying engineering or meat sciences at North American universities.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120443 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 14:27:34 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120443-meat-industry-suppliers-alliance-foundation-scholarship-program-awarding-multiple-10-000-scholarships Episode 224: Albers Craft Meats examines beef buying trends The National Provisioner sits down with Blake Albers, founder and CEO of Nebraska-based Albers Craft Meats, to discuss whole-animal utilization, value-added products, and consumer price sensitivity.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120415 Thu, 02 Apr 2026 11:55:22 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120415-episode-224-albers-craft-meats-examines-beef-buying-trends DG Foods installs automated portioning equipment to expand chicken nugget capacity Poultry processing and portioning company invests $1.19 million to expand its operations in Hazlehurst, Miss.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120406 Wed, 01 Apr 2026 07:05:33 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120406-dg-foods-installs-automated-portioning-equipment-to-expand-chicken-nugget-capacity National Chicken Council pushes for size classifications based on production volume USDA-FSIS seeks stakeholder input on potentially updating size definitions to classify meat and poultry establishments as 'very small,' 'small' or 'large.'

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120391 Mon, 30 Mar 2026 07:05:36 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120391-national-chicken-council-pushes-for-size-classifications-based-on-production-volume Hertzog Meat Co. expands with new retail and further processing facility Missouri-based meat processor's new facility features expanded protein processing capabilities, a retail meat market and additional value-added production for sliced, marinated and ready-to-cook products.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120387 Fri, 27 Mar 2026 12:00:15 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120387-hertzog-meat-co-expands-with-new-retail-and-further-processing-facility Three Rivers Meat strengthens focus on smoked meat products Oklahoma-based Three Rivers Meat Co. expands its line of processed meats and value-added products, converting a portion of its butchering space for processed meats.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120367 Tue, 24 Mar 2026 12:50:01 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120367-three-rivers-meat-strengthens-focus-on-smoked-meat-products Cirrus360 presents 5G-edge-cloud innovation for workflow automation for small and medium meat processors Solution allows a small meat processor, with little to no IT investment, to leverage an automated system for monitoring and analysis of their production flows and processes.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120342 Thu, 19 Mar 2026 09:00:42 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120342-cirrus360-presents-5g-edge-cloud-innovation-for-workflow-automation-for-small-and-medium-meat-processors Small businesses embrace AI but need training and support Goldman Sachs survey shows 93% percent report positive business impact, yet only 14% have fully integrated AI into core operations

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120339 Thu, 19 Mar 2026 06:00:10 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120339-small-businesses-embrace-ai-but-need-training-and-support Diverse clientele and commitment to employee and animal welfare drive growth for Cypress Valley Meat wilkinsonf@bnpmedia.com (Fred Wilkinson) The Arkansas-based processor has a customer base ranging from individual farm families raising one or two animals per year for personal consumption all the way up to large direct-to-consumer e-commerce brands shipping product nationwide.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120337 Wed, 18 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120337-diverse-clientele-and-commitment-to-employee-and-animal-welfare-drive-growth-for-cypress-valley-meat Meat Institute says Schumer bill will decimate meat and poultry industry Meat Institute says that Sen. Schumer’s bill will destroy the meat packing industry, sending costs for consumers soaring, reducing union jobs, and harming livestock and poultry producers.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120275 Fri, 06 Mar 2026 08:00:37 -0500 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120275-meat-institute-says-schumer-bill-will-decimate-meat-and-poultry-industry MAMP Convention: Bettcher presents cutting, trimming and skinning technologies Whizard Versa Trimmer brings all the benefits of whizard trimmers to smaller processing lines and operations with features like a unique Twist-N-Go head to use one tool for multiple applications, and a motor within the handpiece, so no bulky external motor is needed.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120262 Wed, 04 Mar 2026 12:05:55 -0500 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120262-mamp-convention-bettcher-presents-cutting-trimming-and-skinning-technologies Niman Ranch launches Regenerative Organic Certified beef program Niman Ranch bolsters the domestic beef supply by sourcing its Regenerative Organic Certified beef exclusively from US family ranches.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120243 Fri, 27 Feb 2026 09:50:17 -0500 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120243-niman-ranch-launches-regenerative-organic-certified-beef-program Cardinal Meats celebrates 60 years Family-owned and operated company Cardinal Meats recognizes its 60th anniversary as a moment to honor its past while investing in what comes next — advancing product innovation, strengthening retail and foodservice partnerships and continuing to evolve alongside Canadian food culture.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120225 Tue, 24 Feb 2026 09:45:14 -0500 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120225-cardinal-meats-celebrates-60-years Supplier Creekstone Farms expands portioning and ground beef capabilities Annual Meat Conference attendees learn about Creekstone Farms' portion cut lines that debuted in December 2025 and new ground beef processing capabilities that will be operational April 1, 2026.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120222 Tue, 24 Feb 2026 09:45:14 -0500 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120222-supplier-creekstone-farms-expands-portioning-and-ground-beef-capabilities Makowski’s Real Sausage Co. doubles production space with new plant bredars@bnpmedia.com (Sammy Bredar) Makowski's Real Sausage Co. uses racking to optimize production space with its newly opened Lansing, Ill., facility.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120212 Fri, 20 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120212-makowskis-real-sausage-co-doubles-production-space-with-new-plant Tinned is still in for seafood purchases wilkinsonf@bnpmedia.com (Fred Wilkinson) A mix of nostalgia and trendiness boosts the popularity of tinned seafood.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120197 Thu, 19 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120197-tinned-is-still-in-for-seafood-purchases