Happy Halal Breaks Ground on New Meat Processing Facility in Willmar, Minnesota
In a move set to revolutionize halal meat production in Minnesota, Happy Halal, under its parent company Clean Chickens and Company, broke ground on a $3.5 million facility in Willmar’s Industrial Park.
This new processing plant will provide fresh halal goat and lamb meat to meet the growing demand, both locally and beyond.
Abdiweli Yusuf, co-owner of Amin Grocery in downtown Willmar, emphasized the importance of freshness in halal meat. The local grocery store, which sells international foods, experiences a high demand for fresh goat meat, a necessity that has often been hard to meet.
“It’s more important for customers to get fresh goat meat rather than frozen,” Yusuf shared, highlighting a challenge that Happy Halal aims to address.
With the construction of this facility, Clean Chickens and Company President Rebecca Wierschke noted plans to process an equal mix of goats and sheep, depending on production growth.
The new facility not only meets a pressing need for halal meat, but also provides a local alternative to the U.S.’s reliance on imported halal meat, much of which comes from Australia and New Zealand.
Attended by community leaders and local organizations, the groundbreaking ceremony marked a significant milestone for the family-owned company.
Wierschke expressed gratitude for the widespread support the project has garnered, from the community to various government agencies.
The facility is expected to open in the spring of 2025, with the company planning to expand operations in the future to include byproducts like leather and sausage linings.
Clean Chickens, already known for mobile chicken processing in Elk River, has taken on this new venture with the aim of diversifying Minnesota’s meat processing industry, which is currently dominated by beef, pork, and poultry.
Gary Wertish, president of the Minnesota Farmers Union, praised the project for its potential to boost the local economy and benefit farmers.
“This is the type of economic development that can have a real impact on the community,” Wertish said, adding that goat raising could become a new opportunity for small-scale farmers.
As the project moves forward, Happy Halal is looking to create 18 new jobs and will be working with Ridgewater College’s meat processing program to ensure proper training for its employees.
With excitement building in the Willmar area, Happy Halal is poised to play a key role in providing fresh, high-quality halal meats to meet the needs of Minnesota’s growing communities.
If you want to learn more about high-quality, fresh halal meats and how they fit into a meat-based diet, visit our homepage.
